Two men start a beer business after Prohibition is voted out;
but alcohol is still illegal, and they get into trouble with gangsters.
Taxidermist Elmer Butts (Buster Keaton) attends a dry meeting
and sits next to Hortense (Phyllis Barry). He says he wants liquor
and is dragged out. Jimmy Potts (Jimmy Durante) asks Elmer to
stuff a fish and tells him to vote for beer. Elmer disrupts the
voting booths. The amendment passes, repealing Prohibition. Barber
Jimmy tells Elmer they could sell beer. Elmer has $10,000 and
wants to buy Hortense a Rolls. Jimmy and Elmer buy a foreclosed
brewery. They find three bums there but hire them. Jimmy tells
Elmer what ingredients to use. The foam overflows. They advertise
real beer for 5¢ and are arrested; but the chemist finds
no alcohol. Schultz (Roscoe Ates) can make beer, and Elmer wants
money to get married.
Butch Lorado (John Miljan) calls on Spike Moran (Edward Brophy),
because someone is selling beer cheap. Spike offers Elmer $50,000
for half his business and gives him $10,000 for a thousand barrels
a day. Elmer tells Schultz they need more beer and hires fifty
men. Elmer gives Jimmy the $10,000. On the street Hortense hurts
her ankle, and Elmer carries her inside. He spills water on her,
and she takes off her dress. Hortense learns that Spike is Elmer's
partner and leaves in Jimmy's coat. Jimmy tells Elmer the $10,000
is in his coat. Jealous Lorado sees Hortense without her dress
and finds the money. Elmer calls Hortense and tells her to buy
a Rolls with the money. He drives a truck with the barrels. On
a hill the barrels get loose and roll down. In a park Hortense
reads of a gang war and leaves Elmer. Jimmy learns that Spike
was wiped out and celebrates; but Lorado orders him to make beer.
Hortense learns of a raid and gives Elmer a note. Elmer hides
in a barrel until it breaks. He drives with a sign for free beer
at the brewery. A crowd follows, and they drink the evidence.
Police arrive but find no beer. Finally beer is legalized. The
Butts Beer Garden is dedicated by Jimmy and Elmer with Hortense,
and they lose their pants.
This farce celebrates the repeal of Prohibition, satirizing
the ending of the bootlegging industry that fostered gangsters.