D. W. Griffith gets all preachy in this early Biograph short which tells the story of a loving family man who is swiftly ruined by his sudden liking for alcohol. David Miles plays Arthur Lucas, whose workmates like to pass around a pail of beer during their lunchtime - something that wasn't out of the ordinary in America back at the turn of the century. The problem is that poor old Alfred clearly has something of an addictive personality and quickly turns into the kind of beer monster it's wise to steer clear of.
Despite having foxy Florence Lawrence and two loving daughters waiting at home, Alf prefers playing cards in seedy bars with a couple of buddies from work. When Flo, clearly not upset enough to go looking for he husband herself, sends the cutest of her two daughters to scour the city's bars in search of him you know that tragedy is sure to follow.
What Drink Did is entertaining enough, but the overly melodramatic, preachy tone is a little difficult to stomach. Ironically, the film would have been much stronger if the consequences of alcohol abuse had been much less tragic.