Izzy & Moe (1985) (TV)

Director:

Jackie Cooper

Writers:

Steven Patrick Bell (writer)
Robert Boris (writer)

Release Date:

23 September 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Plot:

The adventures of two retired vaudeville performers who become two of the best prohibition agents in the 1920's.

Plot Keywords:

Bootlegger | Police | Prohibition | 1920s | Disguise

Cast

Jackie Gleason	...	Izzy Einstein
Art Carney	...	Moe Smith
Cynthia Harris	...	Dallas Carter
Zohra Lampert	...	Esther Einstein
Drew Snyder	...	Agent McCoy
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Karen Ashley	...	Singer
Mary Tanner Bailey	...	Lilly (as Mary Tanner)
Sully Boyar	...	Fat Harry
Roy Brocksmith	...	Sheriff Bledsoe
Sarah Combs	...	Singer
Michael Conforti	...	Gent
MacIntyre Dixon	...	Reporter
Jesse Doran	...	Dutch
Gwyllum Evans	...	Butler
Robyn Finn	...	Sarah
Nicholas J. Giangiulio	...	Gangster
Marilyn Gleason	...	Sophisticted Lady
Loren Haynes	...	Reporter
William Hickey	...	Desk clerk
Peter Jason	...	Bartender
Dick Latessa	...	Lt. Murphy
Lydia Laurans	...	Singer
Thelma Lee	...	Mrs. Pearlman
Nandrea Lin	...	Ellen (as Nandrea Lin Courts)
Stephen McNaughton	...	Doctor
Peter McRobbie	...	Cop
Adrienne Meltzer	...	Reporter
Tracy Sallows	...	Paula
Rick Washburn	...	Jake
Tom Wiggin	...	Agent Harris

Runtime:

USA:92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor) | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Company:

Robert Halmi

Trivia:

Based on the real-life adventures of two former vaudevillians who became Prohibition agents and used disguises and impersonations to catch bootleggers.

Quotes:

Mrs. Pearlman: [after taking Izzy's cigar] Prohibition is here, Mr. E.
Izzy Einstein: Prohibition is against booze, not cigars.
Mrs. Pearlman: Only a matter of time.
Izzy Einstein: Just exactly *where* are you going to put that cigar?
Mrs. Pearlman: Not exactly where I'd like to, Mr. E. Not exactly where I'd like to.
[toilet flushes]
Izzy Einstein: I was very fond of that cigar!

Gleason & Carney together again in TV Movie Drama!

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!