Izzy & Moe (1985)

Not until I came here did I know that the "Izzy And Moe" story was based on real people. Of course at the time I viewed this, I assumed the story was just fiction, and as fiction it worked out great. As history, it probably was no good-but the entertainment industry rarely depicts history accurately anyway.The story is about two vaudevillians in the 1920's whose entertainment careers are done for, and one (Carney) has a bar, but thanks to Prohibition, he doesn't do well in that. The other (Gleason) convinces his former showbiz partner to become a Prohibition agent with him, and despite the partner's initial hostility, he agrees. At first, the police don't take them seriously, until their acting abilities turn out to make their alcohol raids far more successful. Of course, one mobster known as "Dutch" finds these new agents make him too uncomfortable, and the story's light tone turns darker as Dutch fights back violently.The movie may not be good history, but as a story it's entertaining, and Gleason and Carney shine to the end.

For some reason, despite repeated reunions in their "Honeymooner" roles as Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton, Jackie Gleason and Art Carney never appeared together in a straight (or close to straight) film until a year or so before Gleason died. Then they appeared in this made-for-television film about Prohibition American, and two of it's forgotten heroes: Izzie Einstein and Moe Smith. As has been mentioned before this is not historically accurate by any standard. But it is nice as a record that the two stars' chemistry could sustain a non-"Honeymooner" plot.Historically Izzie and Moe were Prohibition agents. That would actually set the public opinion of them at a low, as most people (except died-in-the-wool prohibitionists) disliked the rise in crime across the country due to the idiotic Volstead Amendment. Most of the Prohibition agents were a humorless, businesslike group. The only one who permanently raised himself above the bunch was Eliot Ness, by his memoirs THE UNTOUCHABLES, which became a hit television show. But Izzie and Moe almost did the same. From 1920 - 1926 their antics at swooping down on illegal gin mills and distilleries convulsed the nation. Izzie and Moe used a wide variety of disguises. They could come into a speakeasy as Harvard professors, or as doctors, or as actors, or as drunks...whatever, if they knew it would not raise suspicion they would try it. And when they did, the newspapers printed the stories...which delighted the public who otherwise might have supported the speakeasies and not the government. Finally, in 1926, the Department of Justice fired them as agents: they claimed that their notoriety had rendered them useless as effective agents. In reality it was pure jealousy. They were the only two agents (before the belated arrival of Ness) who gained public liking.The actual story would be worth a serious retelling in movie form. That is not the case here, which does touch on their use of colorful disguises (although I don't think either of them ever dressed up as a woman). It does show the failure of Prohibition due in part to corruption within the Department of Justice and it's agents. However, the story of Moe's (Carney's) so-called romance with a speakeasy hostess named Dallas (based on Texas Guinan) is totally false. Also the fight against one super mobster (based on Dutch Schultz in the film) is not true either - he was one of many targets for them. But with such defects the film is good to watch the two old pros having a ball in the gin-mills of the 1920s. Hopefully it will be released again sometime.

Gleason and Carney do a very good job in this film. Unfortunately, the reason a friend invited me over to watch it was because he knows I'm a history buff with a special interest in the Prohibition era -- and let's face it, even by Hollywood standards the historical facts were trashed. The real Izzy and Moe were very interesting people, if you want to see what they were up to leave this movie on the shelf and head to the library.

For years since they last appeared in a l978 ABC TV "Honeymooners"comedy special.Audiences clamored for Jackie Gleason and Art Carney to return to tv for one more performance.In l985,the duo returned to the small screen.But this time.The pair performed in a period drama that showcased their other talent for dramatic acting.As Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith.Jackie & Art play two ex-small time vaudvillians.Who try to find gainful employment in l920's NYC.Times were hard due to the Prohibition laws that prevented adults from getting liquid refreshments and for Poor Moe Smith(Carney)the constant raids by The U.S.Prohib agents didn't help his bar business.Izzy's (Gleason's)money making scheames didn't help Moe's fiancial woes either.But Izzy comes thru for the pair.When he gets them jobs as undercover prohibition agents for corrupt,dour federal officer:"Lt.Murphy".Who wants to end the violent and contempable reign of mobster:"John Vanderhoff" Alias:"The Dutchman"(A dark satire of Dutch Schultz)."Dutch"is taking over all of the crooked booze business in the Northeast and he doesn't give a damn about what methiods that he uses to get the hooch.Izzy & Moe stop "Dutch"and his illegal attacks with their disguises and help from a distrustful,no nonsense federal agent:"Dave McCoy",a young novice agent:"Harris"and a fun loving,flirting saloonkeeper:"Dallas Carter"(A satire on real life NYC saloonkeeper:Texas Gurnin the lady who get Barbera Stanwyck's career started as a showgirl)the boys stop "Dutch"and become heroes to everyone and for once in his life? Jackie Gleason's comedic(or in this case semi/serious character)finally controls his abusive and smart aleck mother in law.When she sees that he is a success at last! She is forced to light his cigar in The store window of Macy's.The film is full of action and some laughs.As our heroes foil the crooked speakeasy owners with their disgusies and their showing up their incompetant superior and one of his tough talking but not too bright agents:"McCoy".But the only flaw with this film is Moe's(Mr.Carney's)love affair with "Dallas Carter".Why anyone would want to fall in love with such a creature.Who only cares about maintaining her unothodox bar business and not care about anyone else is beyond me.The lover's subplot is unnessicary.Despite this ridicules detour."Izzy & Moe"is a wondeful drama and the best of Gleason and Carney's tv performances.It's their last performance on the small screen.But it's their best!