Boardwalk Empire: Mrs. McGarry

Mrs. McGarry is a minor character in Boardwalk Empire. She is the head of the Women’s Temperance League.

Mrs. McGarry is portrayed by actress Dana Ivey, also known for roles in:
Rush Hour 3 (1997)
The Scarlet Letter (1995)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
The Color Purple (1985)

Mrs. McGarry is a widow. Her husband made a fortune selling a share in an oil field and built a huge mansion. He died soon after it was built and Mrs. McGarry sold it and brought a smaller place to live, using the rest of the proceeds to live on. This enabled her to devote her time to the women’s temperance movement, suffrage and women’s welfare.

Mrs. McGarry supports Atlantic Couny Treasurer Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, unaware of his involvement in criminal activities. In the Season 1 premiere of Boardwalk Empire, Nucky attends a meeting where she is reading a poem about demon rum to the members of the Atlantic City Women’s Temperance League on the eve of Prohibition.

Coward, monster, vicious brute.
Friend to thief and prostitute,
conscious dulled by demon rum.
Liquor, thy name’s delirium.

Nucky Thompson listens attentively, applauding, and when he ascends the podium as guest speakers, asks Mrs. McGarry to send him a copy of the poem.

Later when Mrs. McGarry brings Nucky a framed copy of the poem, she runs into him outside the Ritz Carlton Hotel. She also has bad news about Margaret Schroeder, although she is unaware that Nucky knows Margaret. She is in the hospital, having lost her baby. Mrs. McGarry says she is not at liberty to divulge how the miscarriage occurred, but Nucky knows enough about Margaret’s situation to know that her abusive husband Hans is behind it. Nucky already had his own run-in with Hans and had him thrown out of the casino, after smashing Hans’ head into a gaming table.

After Hans turns up dead and is blamed for crimes he did not commit, Margaret has to work and her attendance at Women’s Temperance League meetings is spotty. Mrs. McGarry notices. As the women discuss the alcohol-related tragedies that befell neighbors and acquaintances, Margaret tells them about what is happening behind her own house. She has seen men unloading illegal barrels of liquor. Margaret suggests asking Mr. Thompson for help. The women think she means Nucky’s brother, Eli, who is the Sheriff and they are less than thrilled. But Margaret says she means Nucky, and she intimates that he is a personal friend who has been a big help to her since her husband’s death. McGarry tells her to set up a meeting with Nucky.

At the meeting, Margaret informs him about the illegal activities involving alcohol by her home, unaware that the participants work for Nucky. Mrs. McGarry learns that Margaret was present at Nucky’s birthday party where liquor was being served, but Margaret explains she was only making a delivery for the dress shop where she works. McGarry remarks that people of Nucky’s class drink in moderation. Nucky asks his manservant Eddie to let Margaret speak with his brother, Eli. He indicates that the matter will be taken care of. When it isn’t, Margaret visits Prohibition Agent Nelson Van Alden and informs him of what’s going on. He seizes the alcohol from the garage and raids the St. Patrick’s Day dinner of the Order of Ancient Celts, where Nucky and his cronies are celebrating. The Temperance League ladies are outside as the diners are let out and Nucky spots Margaret in the crowd.

In “Family Limitation,” Margaret seeks Mrs. McGarry’s counsel on a private matter. She explains that a man has made her an offer. Mrs. McGarry asks what kind of offer: domestic, financial, sexual? Margaret says yes to all three. She only tells Mrs. McGarry that he is a man who he runs things, and she believes he will provide for her and her two children. McGarry brings up the prospects of marriage and Margaret admits that the chances of that are bleak. Mrs. McGarry says there are words for that type of woman and none of them are flattering. Margaret reiterates that he will provide. Mrs. McGarry relates how she came to be independent but Margaret points out that she does not have a mansion to sell.

Mrs. McGarry says Margaret must follow her own conscience and owes no one an explanation. She gives Margaret a pamphlet: “Family Limitation” by Margaret H. Sanger, and advises that it contains useful knowledge (on how prevent an unwanted pregnancy).

Favorite BE Characters: Vote Other for Mrs. McGarry