Series synopsis
Prohibition is an American documentary television series that premiered on PBS on October 2, 2011. It ended on October 4, 2011. It was created by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick. It stars Peter Coyote, Daniel Okrent, Pete Hamill and Noah Feldman.
The history of the rise, rule and fall of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the entire era it encompassed (1920-33). After nearly a century of activism, Prohibition was intended to improve the lives of all citizens by protecting individuals, families and society at large from the devastating effects of alcohol abuse; but paradoxically it made millions of people rethink their definition of morality.
Premise
The history of the rise, rule and fall of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the entire era it encompassed (1920-33). After nearly a century of activism, Prohibition was intended to improve the lives of all citizens by protecting individuals, families and society at large from the devastating effects of alcohol abuse; but paradoxically it made millions of people rethink their definition of morality.
Premise: As a battle raged… an era roared
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Peter Coyote as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Daniel Okrent as Self - Author
- Pete Hamill as Self - Historian
- Noah Feldman as Self - Legal Scholar
- Adam Arkin as Reader (voice)
- Philip Bosco as Reader (voice)
- Patricia Clarkson as Reader / Carrie Nation (voice)
- Kevin Conway as Reader (voice)
Supporting cast
- Blythe Danner as Reader (voice)
- Paul Giamatti as Reader / George Remus (voice)
- Tom Hanks as Reader / Roy Olmstead (voice)
- Jeremy Irons as Reader (voice)
- Samuel L. Jackson as Reader (voice)
- John Lithgow as Reader / H.L. Mencken (voice)
- Josh Lucas as Reader (voice)
- Amy Madigan as Reader (voice)
- Carolyn McCormick as Reader (voice)
- Oliver Platt as Reader / Al Capone (voice)
- Campbell Scott as Reader / F. Scott Fitzgerald (voice)
- Frances Sternhagen as Reader (voice)
Guest cast
- John Paul Stevens as Self
- Freddie Johnson as Self - Historian
- Dorothea Brown as Self
- Studs Terkel as Self - Writer
- Roger Angell as Self
- Franklin D. Roosevelt as Self (archive footage)
- Hymie Weiss as Self (archive footage)
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 5 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | June 26, 2011 | October 2, 2011 |
| Season 1 | 3 | October 2, 2011 | October 4, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
PBS Previews: Prohibition Ken Burns and Lynn Novick discuss the series. |
June 26, 2011 |
| 2 | The Making of “Prohibition” | October 2, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Nation of Drunkards The start of the temperance movement in the 19th century under the stewardship of such leaders as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frances Willard and Carry Nation; and the Anti-Saloon League, which pushed for a constitutional amendment that would ban the sale and manufacture of alcohol. |
October 2, 2011 |
| 2 |
A Nation of Scofflaws The problems that the Volstead Act and Prohibition caused, including a possible increase in alcoholism due to women frequenting the illicit speakeasies that replaced male-only saloons; adulterated liquor that poisons some drinkers; and civil-rights violations by overzealous federal agents anxious to make arrests. Despite the public's growing opposition to the ban, few politicians dare to speak against it due to the political might of the Anti-Saloon League. |
October 3, 2011 |
| 3 |
A Nation of Hypocrites The factors that led to the end of Prohibition. The criminalizing of alcohol feeds large profits into the coffers of criminal organizations and turns such gangsters as Al Capone into celebrities. Wealthy Pauline Sabin encourages the repeal of the 18th Amendment; and brings together women from all classes who support her position. The 21st Amendment, which repeals the 18th, is adopted after Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1932 election and by late 1933 people can again legally buy drinks. |
October 4, 2011 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 2, 2011 |
| Last aired | October 4, 2011 |
| Runtime | 110 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 22:00:00 |