The Illustrated Version of “Alice’s Restaurant”: Watch Arlo Guthrie’s Thanksgiving Counterculture Classic

Alice’s restaurant. It’s now a Thanksgiving staple and something of a tradition in the area. Recorded in 1967, this over 18-minute counterculture song tells the story of Arlo Guthrie’s real-life encounter with the law, which began on Thanksgiving Day in 1965. As the long song unfolds, we hear all about the police beating hippies, otherwise known as “hippie bashing.” William “Obie” ObernheinArlo is arrested for littering. (Cultural footnote: Obie has previously posed in several paintings by Norman Rockwell, including the famous painting “The Runaway” it is 1958 cover saturday evening post.) In a fairly short period of time, Arlo pleads guilty to a misdemeanor, pays a $25 fine, and closes the case. But the story isn’t over yet. It’s not a far off story.

Later, when Arlo (Woody Guthrie’s son) is drafted into the military, his misdemeanor ironically becomes the basis for his disqualification from military service in the Vietnam War. Guthrie makes this point poignantly as the song becomes more of a satirical protest against the war. Children, home, and village after becoming garbage bugs. ” and then back to the upbeat chorus. “You can get anything you want at Alice’s restaurant.”

We’ve been featuring Guthrie’s classics for the past few years. However, this Thanksgiving, we are offering an illustrated version. On a sad side note, Alice Block, owner of Alice Restaurant.He passed away last week at the age of 83..

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