Dom Pérignon (monk) at the Abbey of Hautvillers, Dom Groussard, who in 1821 gave an account of Dom Pérignon "inventing" Champagne among other exaggerated tales about the Abbey in order to garner historical importance and prestige for the church. Groussard’s myth achieved more than prestige for the church, it helped commercialize champagne at the turn of the twentieth century. The Syndicat du commerce used the myth to promote champagne and the Champagne region, producing a pamphlet called "Le Vin de Champagne" in 1896 that celebrated Perignon as the inventor of champagne by following "ancient traditions." The myth served to protect champagne made in
It Is the Law the following year. "It Is the Law" received generally positive reviews. George T. Pardy, writing for "Exhibitors Trade Review", noted that the audience was aware of the nature of the mystery while the characters were not, a welcome departure from the conventions of most melodramas. "Motion Picture Magazine" called the film "tense, suspensive, ... and new in its idea." "The Film Daily" reviewer believed it would appeal to fans of the genre despite "some hokum and implausible twists". Edwards's direction was praised, including his pacing of the story, although the reviewer for "Variety" felt the film was unnecessarily long. Hohl,