Watch Izzy & Moe
- PG
- 1985
- 1 hr 32 min
-
6.3 (270)
Izzy & Moe is a 1985 television film directed by Jackie Cooper starring Jackie Gleason as Izzy Einstein and Art Carney as Moe Smith. The film follows the true story of the two former vaudeville performers who, during the prohibition era, were hired by the United States government as "dry agents," tasked with tracking down illegal alcohol stills and smuggling operations.
At the beginning of the film, Izzy and Moe are performing together as a vaudevillian duo. However, after a fire burns down their theater, they find themselves out of work and struggling to make ends meet. One day, while looking for odd jobs, they stumble upon a group of men attempting to load a truck with cases of illegal alcohol. The two men disrupt the operation and deliver the bootleggers to the police, prompting the federal government to take notice of their skills.
The two men are initially reluctant to work for the government, but are eventually convinced by Agent Sarah Rubin (played by Cynthia Harris), who becomes their supervisor. Initially, the new job of "dry agents" is difficult for Izzy and Moe, as they are required to work undercover and slowly infiltrate the bootlegging world. Izzy and Moe must use all of their wit and charm to gain the trust of the bootleggers and uncover their illegal operations.
As their investigations progress, the team becomes increasingly successful, bringing down major bootlegging operations and even catching some high-profile criminals. However, their success comes with consequences, as they become targets for assassination attempts and face constant danger on the job.
Despite the risks, the two men continue to work tirelessly, bringing down even more operations and dodging bullets along the way. Along the journey, they also learn valuable lessons about loyalty, friendship and trust. Izzy and Moe's dedication to the job eventually leads to the repeal of prohibition and their success as "dry agents" leads to the establishment of the modern-day Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agency.
Izzy & Moe is a feel-good film that showcases the incredible performances of Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. The pair, who had previously starred together in the classic sitcom The Honeymooners, perfectly capture the comedic banter and spirit of these two real-life men. Cynthia Harris provides excellent support as their supervisor, who is initially skeptical of their abilities but eventually becomes a crucial ally in their work.
The film also serves as a historic look at the prohibition era, showing the corruption and danger that was rampant during this time period. The audience is taken on an exciting journey as these two unlikely heroes bring down illegal operations and make a significant impact on the nation's history.
Overall, Izzy & Moe is an entertaining and action-packed film that offers a unique perspective on the prohibition era. The chemistry between Gleason and Carney make this movie a must-see for fans of classic comedy and history buffs alike.
Izzy & Moe is a 1985 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.