The world premiere of The Real McCoy, a feature-length documentary detailing America ’s rum war at sea during the 1920s, will be presented by Mystic Seaport Saturday, February 23, at the Garde Arts Center in New London .
Directed and produced by Bailey Pryor of Mystic, the documentary was adapted from the forthcoming book, The Actual McCoy by Stephen Jones and published by Flat Hammock Press. Pryor chronicles the quest of Bill McCoy, America ’s pioneer rum runner of the Prohibition era, whose exploits took place along much of the Eastern seaboard. The bootlegger became famous for not watering down his liquor, an act which eventually coined the expression “the real McCoy.”
Complete with never-before-seen footage from the National Archives and a recreation of “Rum Row,” the movie details the tumultuous Roaring Twenties– an age of decadence, political intolerance, emerging social freedoms and opportunity. Taking advantage of such opportunity, McCoy fuelled the era by importing illegal alcohol and challenging the United States government to a war on rum.
Proceeds from the event will contribute to the education and preservation efforts of Mystic Seaport.
“We’re extremely excited and thankful to Bailey Pryor for donating the premiere showing of this maritime documentary to Mystic Seaport,” said Museum President Doug Teeson. “The film highlights the pivotal period of our nation’s history, including its influence on the growth of the U.S. Coast Guard and advances in marine engine and hull design.”
The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a cash bar and live jazz. Period dress is welcome.
Screening of the film starts at 8 p.m. and will be followed by a question and answer session with both the filmmaker and author from 9-9:30 p.m.
A special movie VIP party will be held from 7-8 p.m. and will include: a chance to meet Pryor, Jones, and Teeson; live jazz entertainment; priority loge seating; a post-film question and answer session; a copy of the movie DVD and one book on rum running. Tickets for the VIP party are $100. As seating is limited, reservations are required.
General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets are available online at www.gardearts.org (ticket price subject to a $2 Internet convenience fee,) or by calling 860.444.7373. Military, students and seniors will be given $2 off admission. All ticket prices include a $2 Garde restoration fee.
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. Mystic Seaport also features a working preservation shipyard, a re-created 19th-century coastal village, exhilarating exhibits and a planetarium. The Museum’s collection of more than two million artifacts includes more than 500 historic vessels and the largest single collection of maritime photography in the world. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org.