Entertainment : In Depth - Capone\'s Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye

Seats are going fast for “Capone’s Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye.” (As of Wednesday morning, 70 tickets sold!) Stop at the theatre or go to www.vintonpalace.org to buy your tickets in advance.

“Capone’s Whiskey” plays the Palace in a ONE NIGHT ONLY SPECIAL SHOWING on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. The story of the making of Iowa’s own bootleg whiskey, Templeton Rye, was filmed by Kristian Day, who will take the stage following the screening to answer questions. Accompanying Day will be members of the Templeton Rye family. (Yes, the whiskey is now legally distilled.)

In this age of movie studio monopolies and dictatorships, and high priced multiplexes and megaplexes, the Palace Theatre is proud to support independent filmmakers who in turn support our semi-autonomous mission to show affordable stage and big screen family entertainment. To that end, please join us Friday night!

Don’t forget to take your ticket stub to the Ron Da Voo for $1 off Templeton Rye, following the show! Rick’s been stockpiling!

Kristian Day’s documentary film chronicles the history of the infamous whiskey cookers of Carroll County, Iowa from their outlaw days of Prohibition to when the liquor became legal in 2006. During the Prohibition Era, west central Iowa farmers cooked whiskey in their barns and machine sheds to supplement their income in the harsh times. The finished product was of such a high quality that it quickly made its way to speakeasies in Chicago, Kansas City, and Omaha through Italian gangster Al Capone. For almost 80 years the product was considered illegal until it was introduced in 2006 as a legal brand of top shelf liquor.

"This film uncovers a part of Iowa's history that has been kept in the dark for almost a hundred years,” says Day. “I wanted to tell a story of survival and community spirit without taking away the mystique that it has carried with it for so long."

Day, 26, a native of Rock Island, Ill., went to high school in Cedar Rapids and attended the University of Colorado at Denver in the music industry studies program. In 2008, Day began directing and producing his own movies. His short films have played all over the world including Austria, Greece and Italy. His films have also been screened at various festivals in cities across the United States including Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.

MIRROR MIRROR

We’ll pick up our regular schedule on Saturday, April 21 through Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Monday, April 21 and 23rd at 2 p.m. for “Mirror Mirror.” Julia Roberts stars as the evil queen in this family fairytale adventure about the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Rated PG and running 106 minutes, families of all ages will enjoy this delightfully visual retelling of the famous Brothers Grimm tale.

AN ASIDE

Just a few doors down, La Reyna, Vinton’s new Mexican restaurant, is opening tonight! I’ve heard nothing but great comments from folks about this Iowa City transfer, including the two guys who recently installed our Pepsi machines. They raved about the food and service. I met Carmen, one of the owners, on the street yesterday. She was delightful, and so happy to be moving to Vinton! Personally, I see a weekly margaritachipsandsalsa night in my future!

Our little 200 block of downtown Vinton is filling fast! Get ice cream at Peppy’s, drop of your dry cleaning with George at Fourth Street Cleaners, and check out Friends of the Shelter, Cheesehead Cheese Hause, Hope Chest antiques and old favorites Nature’s Corner and Pizza Ranch across the street! Hopefully you’ve already signed your taxes!

Hope to run into you on our street!