In TV shows set, let's say, between 1850 and 1920, everyone drinks, A LOT. Like, whenever they wake up, talk to someone, leave a room, enter a room, etc etc. What evidence do we have that this really went on? I understand that it was common that liquor was diluted, but really, they drank THAT MUCH THAT OFTEN? Weren't they sort of drunk all the time then?
hi! well hopefully one of the film historians can comment on whether films were trying to reflect reality or create a glamourized fiction, but you can get started on these posts
these are much later than your time period, but may be interesting