Prohibition Role Play Activity - Bergen County Technical

February 22, 1935
Dear Auditioners:
On behalf of Paramount Pictures, please allow me to congratulate you for
successfully moving on to the second round of auditions for our upcoming
blockbuster motion picture The Ban, The Beer and The Blood: Bergen County
and Prohibition. The development of this movie is particularly exciting
for us. Unlike many of the “gangster” movies of the past decade, our picture
is aimed at telling the real story of prohibition: from the early
years of the temperance movement to the rise of organized crime to debate
and eventual repeal.
For the purposes of this round, actors will be placed in teams of two or
three. Each team will be required to act out a specific scene (as described
in this packet). Additional research will be required in order to
give each scene a sense of true historical authenticity. Be sure to use
the historical article packets we gave you earlier in your efforts. You
will be rated on your performances as well as your script. All scripts
are to be handed in to your director. No performance is to exceed six
minutes. Props and costumes, where appropriate, are welcomed.
Sincerely,
Johnny Jables,
Executive Producer,
“The Ban, The Beer and The Blood: Bergen County and Prohibition”
Scene 1—The Advocates and “The Spirit”
This 1892 scene opens with a meeting between Mabel Upington, a member
of the New Jersey W.C.T.U., and the Reverend Joshua Preston
and his 22 year old son Harrison, who are members of the
New Jersey Anti-saloon League. The trio discusses how they
see the Bible as a guide in their prohibitionist “crusade.”
They point to specific portions in the Scriptures where they
have found their anti-liquor inspiration, and discuss them accordingly.
The scene then continues with the three giving a
rousing, anti-liquor speech to a crowd of supporters outside of Doc
Brown’s Saloon in Hackensack. The speech is filled with references to
scripture and uses a wide variety of Judeo-Christian imagery. The scene
ends with Harrison’s untimely death, caused by a heart attack. It seems
that Harrison had been an incurable alcoholic all along! Before uttering
his last breath, he delivers an eloquent speech in Mabel’s arms.

Scene 2—The Disbelieving Editors
This scene begins at the offices of Harper’s Weekly Magazine
in January of 1909. Henry Chambers, a middle-aged man and
self-proclaimed recovering alcoholic, is pitching his
manuscript, titled “A Story of an Alcohol Slave.” Chambers
describes his manuscript in detail, and talks about some
of his most harrowing experiences as an alcoholic. After
listening to his pitch the two editors, James Mallow and Arthur Newby,
openly question the story’s authenticity. Mallow is particularly disturbed
at Chambers’ negative portrayal of saloonkeepers, whom he regards
as legitimate businessmen. An angry debate follows between the two sides,
as each side uses the manuscript to make their points. The scene ends
with Chambers storming out of the meeting in tears.
Scene 3—Ratification Debate in the New Jersey Legislature
Here we are witness to a passionate debate, on the eve
of the ratification of the 18th Amendment, between two
members outside the main chamber of the New Jersey State
Assembly. An argument is underway between Assemblyman
(and Reverend) Clyde Hallow, an avowed prohibitionist
who believes that beer is the “Devil’s Brew,” and Assemblyman
Arthur Fenmore. Fenmore is also Vice President of
the Beerbrewers Guild. Both are using all of the statistics,
stories and sources they can muster in trying to convince the feckless,
confused Assemblyman James Barrow of Hackensack to vote for their
side. In the end, Barrow does decide to vote one way or the other...and
we’ll leave it up to the auditioning actors to decide. Just be sure to
have Barrow explain the reasons for his vote.
Scene 4 — A Meeting Between Three “South Hackensack” Toughs
This scene is set on a sweltering July night in the summer of
1920, in the back office of Otello’s Pool Hall in South Hackensack,
N.J. Sitting around the table are three local troublemakers.
“Fat Tony” Otello, who owns the place, has recently
been released from prison after serving a three year sentence
for bribery. James “Sweetface” Donohue is on the run from the
Bergen County Police for robbery. Jason “The Drill” Farrow is
wanted in three states for jailbreaks. James proposes turning
the pool hall into a speakeasy, but he needs the help, muscle and money
of the others. When Fat Tony and Jason doubt its profitability, James describes
how the “Iron Law of Prohibition” will turn their speakeasy into
a cash cow. The scene ends with James collecting $2000 each from the men,
and then dashing out the front door to a waiting car through a hail of
gunfire...never to be seen again!

Scene 5 - The Death of Sally Scrambleseed
This scene is set in the Emergency Room of Hackensack Medical Center.
On a cold November evening in 1927, a comatose Sally Scrambleseed is
brought in by her panicking friend Velma Kelly after a “night
on the town.” Sally is immediately examined by Dr. Charlie
Greenfield, who determines after a blood test that Sally is
a victim of alcohol poisoning. Sally soon dies, leaving
Velma wondering how a seemingly healthy young person could die
from a single glass of whiskey. Dr. Greenfield then explains the role of
product concentration with prohibited substances, and how it all relates
to Sally’s death. The scene ends when Greenfield, who has fallen in love
with Velma, proposes marriage.
Scene 6 - The Parole Hearing of Baby Face Moretti
This scene, set at Rahway State Penitentiary in May of
1946, places the infamous Hackensack Gangster William
“Baby Face” Moretti before the visiting New Jersey
State Parole Board.
Scene 6 - The Governor at Princeton
This scene is set in the office of Princeton University president
John Grier Hibben in June of 1932. The pro-temperance
governor has paid him a visit to complain about a recent article
Hibben has published in major New York area magazines
which expresses his strong opposition to Prohibition. Hibben,
a former “dry” has apparently turned “wet,” and the governor
wants to know why. A debate ensures between the two on the
merits and detriments of repeal. The scene ends with the governor breaking
down in tears, and bolting from Hibben’s office.