George Remus: America's Prohibition King

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[@Biographics]

Thanks to Keeps for sponsoring this video! Head to keeps.com/Biographics to get 50% off your first Keeps order.

[@AnimeFan-ot7bu]

What do you mean you not has cool as Bruce Willis i dont think i see you with hair tbh and some people look good bald you included maybe it’s the beard

[@Tremont24]

Please Do Booker T. Washington next

[@edu10th47]

Please explore Thomas Nast in a future video, his influence permeates Santa Claus' beard all the way to today's political parties.

[@rezakarampour6286]

' Solving 9-11 by Christopher Bollyn '

[@30smsuperstrat]

Simon just transplant your beard to your head. You'll no longer get sunburnt on your head, and more kisses from your wife.

[@kcollier2192]

Prohibition is probably the classic example of the old saying "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." You can legislate laws, not morality.

[@shawnkeith1164]

Laws against assault are legislations on morality. Laws concerning underage drinking, drug use, discrimination, etc are legislations on morality. And so many more.

[@TheSoonToBePurgedJackMeHoff55]

Its a good example of big government failure

[@--enyo--]

I’m really surprised prohibition was one thing not subject to ‘state’s rights’ with a bunch of states just refusing to do it.

[@Rich-fr2yv]

@@--enyo-- It was a constitutional amendment, so it wasn't really up for debate. Not that that seems to matter much today

[@honeysucklecat]

@@shawnkeith1164 big difference between the morality of preserving life and property and religious based bullying.

[@snailpaste]

"He didn't keep account books".. Finally someone not writing down their crimes! (feels weird to not have Simon reference this after watching so much Casual Criminalist)

[@MadSaez103]

Remus has receipts!

[@snbks4ever]

Yup thought I heard about this guy, he was covered briefly in Over Simplified's video on Prohibition but happy to hear more details on the dude.

[@rameymitchell8811]

I saw this one too

[@arjusarauis9901]

Definitely is nice to learn more about this figure in Prohibition era

[@michaelf.2449]

I don't even blame the man for killing his wife. I know I would've

[@AnimeFan-ot7bu]

Yup you’re totally right i knew he sounded familiar

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

The PBS documentary PROHIBITION dedicated 2 segments to Mr. Remus.

[@LeonPom]

This story deserves its own Netflix series. Remus was one of my favorite characters in 'Boardwalk Empire'

[@maelnaught]

Yup, and my hopes are confirmed in this bio, he actually had a tendency to refer to himself in third person

[@karlleewhite610]

Mr Harrow is my number one

[@alswearengine4867]

@@maelnaughtRemus will say whatever he pleases.

[@maelnaught]

@@alswearengine4867George Remus - "George Remus wholeheartedly agrees"

[@KCMasterPeace513]

Great video! As a tour guide here in the Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area I STRONGLY suggest that you cover the history of Newport, KY. After Remus retired from crime and prohibition was slowly coming to an end, his lieutenants decided to open casinos in Newport. The Cleveland Mob led by Moe Dalitz and several other mafia families would then take over the casinos in the area and turn it into the number one gambling destination in the country. Newport, KY was the foundation for Las Vegas, NV.

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Sounds very interesting 👍

[@nunyabidness117]

When Frank Sinatra was filming Some Come Running in nearby Madison Indiana he wod spend his evenings and nights partying in Newport.

[@billtheslink4541]

Might as well cover The Beverly Hills Supper Club fire too. A tragedy that touched the lives of nearly everyone here at the time. Still officially ruled an electrical fire, proven to be arson by famous anti-tobacco attorney Stan Chesley with even a confession by one of the guys who did. Burned by the Akron mob with hundreds dead. Still that reach is so great they won't reopen a criminal case.

[@leighxdalion6866]

Watched 1 episode and I knew I had to watch everything except the Nelson Mandela episode...

[@professorxaviour3649]

@@leighxdalion6866 episodes of what? What show are you talking about…?

[@josephkmeyer5178]

I’m wondering if you all would ever be willing to do one on Governor George Wallace? I think his trip from moderate to the face of segregation, his presidential campaign and assassination attempt, all the way back to moderate is an interesting story. Just how chasing the vote and populism can change someone for the worse.

[@str8_white_mail]

“Remus doesn’t get arrested, not in his own home, NOT ANYWHERE!”

[@alswearengine4867]

“REMUS HAS PAID! REMUS KEPT RECEIPTS!!!”

[@str8_white_mail]

@@alswearengine4867 “ain’t you George Remus?”

[@michaelquinn8584]

"Remus will say whatever he pleases."

[@petec3185]

@@alswearengine4867tell Remus that Randolph would be very interested in them

[@petec3185]

@@michaelquinn8584remus asked for hot cakes

[@mawhis]

Ken Burns' documentary about Prohibition covers this guy, and it's fascinating

[@KCMasterPeace513]

The guy who played Remus in that series (Paul Giamatti) is the son of A Bartlett Giamatti, the same guy who banned Pete Rose from baseball. Just another weird Cincinnati connection.

[@debralittle1341]

That was a very good doc

[@jasonallen3678]

And board walk empire on HBO,which was slightly fictitious..

[@theoutlook55]

PBS? Yay man!!

[@timeandplace4114]

Thank you for info on Ken Burn's documentary on Prohibition.

[@Mike_Norris]

Remus has the good stuff.

[@mmeettwwoo]

We should be in business with "him"

[@doobiejones9388]

I know it's a work of fiction. Very loosely based on historical events. But Remus in Board Walk Empire was one of the most memorable characters. Great video Simon.😊😎

[@billtheslink4541]

I grew up in Cincinnati in the neighborhood next door to Price Hill. I am 47 and in my late teens and early 20s you ran into a lot of older men who told stories of how they were saved from starvation in the depression and right after by Remus. He had a big farm and every day all the boys who were like 10-14 would desend on the farm every day to work from several miles around. When vegetables were coming in for harvest they brought their red wagons that were filled up with food for the kids' families every day. Regardless of the time of year the boys were given sandwiches for lunch. For the boys it was the only food they had. You didn't say anything bad about him around that age group. They would fight you.

[@jamesmartin6050]

Future Video suggestion - Eamon DeValera (1882-1975) - prominent political leader in 20th century Ireland who, after the Irish war of independence from 1919 to 1921, was in the public eye for over forty years from 1922 until his death were he served as head of government (Taoiseach) and head of state (president). He was nearly executed in the Easter Rising in 1916 and was key in putting into place the new constitution on 1937. A very prominent figure in Irish history.

[@darthnowlan]

That would be great.

[@Johnmhatheist]

@Darren michael collins would be a much better one.

[@seandawson5899]

This channel always has a giant soft spot in my heart. I tune in every week even when I don't know anything about the person or disease being discussed cause I know Simon is gonna give me something worth listening too. I can't find anything else like it.

[@trollguyyeah]

you should check out his other channels if you haven't already

[@seandawson5899]

@@trollguyyeah I love them all. Warographics and Mega Projects are another personal favorite.

[@CH-ju8zt]

I'm from Cincinnati and not enough people know about George, recently they have made a George Remus bourbon.

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Is it any good? I love Kentucky bourbon myself, Woodford Reserve is a fave

[@chrisnicholls445]

remus has the good stuff

[@gilbertvehicleservices]

Remus bourbon is an excellent mixer. It makes an amazing Old Fashioned cocktail with a velvety texture.

[@alswearengine4867]

@@thejudgmentalcatit’s good. I just bought my first bottle after rewatching Boardwalk Empire.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

2:35 - Chapter 1 - Immigrant makes good... 4:25 - Chapter 2 - Then goes bad 7:15 - Chapter 3 - The bourbon king 10:25 - Chapter 4 - Unrivaled success 13:15 - Chapter 5 - The empire crumbles 15:20 - Chapter 6 - Betrayal 18:10 - Chapter 7 - The final act 20:10 - Chapter 8 - Evil genius

[@nunyabidness117]

Remus was said to be one of the inspirations for The Great Gatsby.

[@simonholyoak8869]

I thought the inspiration was Arnold Rothstein

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Boardwalk Empire covered a lot of this people, You guys should really give it a watch

[@michaelsinger4638]

That backfired spectacularly on his wife in the end.

[@rustycan69]

I knew a man that was George's money collector at his drug stores. I went fishing with him each week for a couple of years back in the mid-70's to hear his stories over and over about George Remus. You missed several stories about George and told a few stories I never heard. There were two big parties at his Price Hill home at Christmas when his 50 couple guests received diamond bracelets and tie pins. The second party was 6 months later for Imogene birthday party. The 50 guests received new Cadillac automobiles , built overlooking the City in Mt. Adams. Remus would meet my friend and another employee each week to collected the drug store money at a house located on Stanley Ave. on the east side of the city. The day he killed Imogene, he left Eden Park and met his two money collectors at this house. He told his men that he would have to shut down the business for awhile, until he straighten out this legal issue. But, selling liquor at his many drug stores around the city never returned. George's daughter was with Imogen the day of the killing. She set with George during the murder trial. His daughter was a child movie actor, staring as Alice in he first Alice in wonderland film. George remarried and ran a real estate office in Cincinnati and lived in northern Kentucky. He did live a quiet life and died an old man and buried with his third wife with two angels monument next to their graves. Over the years, someone knocked off the angel's monument wings. Yes no one knows where all the cash went. My friend said George worked with cash only and was worth over $500,000. back then. The big question never resolved, where did all the cash money go? Corrupt government officials and/or Dodge, the lover boy and federal agent.

[@donraimo1465]

Thank you for doing this one. It’s such an interesting story.

[@JamaisArriere1]

Now that you’ve mentioned Elliot Ness he needs his own Biographics video!

[@ProjectMathesar]

Simon: "you've probably never heard of George Remus." Boardwalk Empire viewers: "Remus finds you petty and pathetic."

[@bryanparkhurst17]

I've watched a lot of your stuff on several different channels Simon, this is probably the best episode of biographics that you have done.

[@gruntsffs1]

Brilliant Simon and Team!!!

[@13thravenpurple94]

Great work 🥳🥳🥳 Thank you 💜💜💜

[@scooby45247]

my grandmother had a false wall in her basement for such a purpose.. prior to that it was used in the underground railroad.. Cincinnati is full of historical homes..

[@ThatGUY666666]

Wonderful work as always. Here’s hoping there is going to be an episode on Wayne Wheeler. After all if oversimplified calls someone an “evil genius“, he has to have a fascinating life story

[@franciscojose6496]

Interesting information

[@ogkushclouds2535]

Love this one really intresting

[@maryscott9430]

This was interesting! I usually dont like this sort of video, but i love yours!! Ive watched almost all of them. Personally im not as interested in the egyptian ones or celebrities.. but i love the rest!! Sadly i wasnt interested in history in school. watching all these on people i shoukd know more about but dont, is soo interesting! More American bios( or even just ones based there) and more about european history woukd be amazing!!

[@mojothehelpermonkey1176]

I love watching boardwalk empire and then watching the biographics for all the historical characters.

[@goodforyou3000]

My grandfather swam in his pool when his mansion was confiscated. It was made into a rec center before being tore down. Admission was a nickel. One of the first private indoor pools. Was the first use of a wire tap in a conviction.

[@kathyastrom1315]

Actually, the wire tap case was in Seattle-the bootlegger out there (whose name I can’t remember offhand) was a former cop. The Ken Burns documentary had the grandson of his accountant as a talking head who had some great stories to tell.

[@AlecioG]

I've been waiting AGES for you to cover this guy!!

[@bobross8786]

WOW ! ! You must be pretty old 😉

[@papiparsons9045]

“How will my tombstone read? I suppose it will be KING OF THE BOOTLEGGERS” Geo Remus circa 1920. That’s what it says on the back of my favorite Bourbon, George Remus by Ross and Squibb distillery

[@nunyabidness117]

All of his high priced attorneys couldn't save him from his bootlegging conviction but he successfully defended himself against a murder charge.

[@TheEvilCommenter]

Good video 👍

[@mccuenoirfilms]

Cincinnatian here! Thanks for featuring our hometown bootlegger! The only correction I have is when you mention the location in Eden Park where he chased down his wife in the Taxi and shot her, you mentioned the Spring House Gazebo and showed a photo of the "twin lakes" near the Eden Park overlook. He shot her near the Gazebo next to the reservoir, which was enclosed in the 1960s and topped with Mirror Lake. The Gazebo is still there! It's a beautiful little structure. Cheers!

[@ClaireScullyClaireBlue]

I came here to learn about the guy from my favourite part of the Oversimplified prohibition video and I wasn't expecting not only the ominous deepfake of George's photographed likeness moving but also the use of Hollywood Dreams by Giuseppe Vasapolli, a theme I have heard in a lot of Hollywood Graveyard videos at 15:14

[@ciankeane6485]

Remus: They drove me to it Taft: That dont give you the right Public: ya it do...

[@bkelly625]

I only knew George Remus from Boardwalk Empire. Thanks Simon this is cool

[@bradlyfan]

You are as cool as Bruce Willis and the music for this video was really good !

[@nunyabidness117]

Death Valley is Queen City Avenue if you are curious. His mansion was located on Hermosa Ave further west off Queen City. Where the mansion once stood is now a small non-descript apartment building.

[@chiyohanson4622]

Love the jacket, Simon. Love the beard.

[@SMbigpapi]

I'll be honest I didn't know anything about this guy until I saw a Boardwalk Empire!

[@maxwellkafka]

Just FYI, the handgun silhouette at around 15:30 is roughly 100 years newer than anything commercially available at the time of the narrative

[@42Oregon]

Yuengling, America's oldest brewery, kept a full production going during prohibition. "Yuengling Ice Cream" was the front, and kegs full of fresh beer were funneled through a window from the company's cafeteria (bar) into the church next door that had modified its windows to receive and distribute. Cheers!

[@Hamzakhan-dt3gv]

Interesting video

[@warbaby1975]

I read somewhere that in Scott Fitzgeralds' book "The Great Gatsby" Jay Gatsby's character was loosely based off of Goerge Remus.

[@longbottomleaf6918]

Oversimplified did a video about prohibition, including George Remus, this mans story is amazing. Gawd damn american hero, and im not even american

[@jacksonmarcum7700]

As a bartender in over the rhine, love to show ya around price hill Simon! Cheers

[@kurington.blogspot7876]

Remus thinks this isn't appropriate.

[@aarondehne5371]

I would love to see a video on Gary Ridgeway "the green river killer", im honestly surprised you haven't done one on him. His victim count was very high, id also love to see you do Dean Corll "the candy man"

[@thermancartwright579]

The beard is legit Brodie!

[@yeahyeahd]

if it wasn't for prohibition my grandpa wouldn't have been able to buy land and build a farm as young as he did. from age 15 to like 21 he transported all different types of alcohol all over the southern part of Minnesota and no one ever suspected him of it cos in his words, "they thought i was a well-mannered, soft spoken, religious boy who was driving to see his sweetheart [my gran!!] just a bit too often. never suspected a thing."

[@sterlingorlowski8948]

Is Jen editing this?? The face movement from Remes’ photo was fantastic! …and a little creepy lol

[@rajaconfidant835]

'In the mood George?' 'Remus shuns gambling.'

[@armandotalampas4800]

We really love your video on Vlad the Impaler! Sir Simon, please feature John Hunyadi and Skanderberg...

[@mikemo1993]

Great Sequel To OverSimplified’s Vid✨ 💯🍻 Would Love To See More Historic Cross-Over Content Like This 🙏🏻

[@chemBTW]

Please do General John J Pershing! Love your content Simon, you're the goat!!!!!

[@jlongino51823]

My grandpa is named after him!

[@fedpostah]

I must admit, if I had been in that jury I too would have aquitted him, even knowing that he was sane

[@maelnaught]

George Remus approves this bio - George Remus

[@brandonmckinley1413]

I first found out about Remus via Boardwalk Empire. And loved the portrayal.

[@themutualfriend5286]

"Remus shuns gambling" 😂

[@mgabrysSF]

He should have followed the Walgreens model which sold hooch legally through prohibition. He already had a toe in pharmacies - he could have continued easily in that route exclusively rather than getting into manufacture and distribution as well. Nice deepfake at 03:50. The movement(s) always give those away. I also wouldn't say prohibition in 1920 was an overnight obliteration of the booze industry. There was already prohibition in effect for WWI in the US.

[@sampsta1505]

Hi Simon :) I didn't know what video to leave this comment on, so simply selected this one when I searched "Biographics"! Would you mind please doing a Biographics on Anne Lister. Her story was made famous in the BBC lesbian period drama "Gentleman Jack", and her story is an interesting one. Thank you!! :)

[@skyden24195]

Fyi: there are still some counties in the U.S. that are "dry," i.e., illegal to sell alcohol within the county borders.

[@howyoudurrinhunneh]

A video about me? Remus is pleased.

[@areebautista]

I dont know which channel i should comment this But can you please make a video about the skynlviv disaster? I know it is considered to be the most deadly airshow crash… i dont get to see much about it on youtube but i think more people should be reminded of it, and i bet it would be a great episode when done by you guys! I hope you notice this, Simon!

[@GtheMVP]

"Remus doesn't like this".

[@brentanderson4959]

Have you made one of St Augustine? He has an interesting story.

[@jlongino51823]

Born and raised in Bardstown Kentucky which is The Bourbon Capital of The World. This guy has his own huge place in the bourbon museum in town.

[@eomat]

Brilliant ending

[@TwentyNinerR]

"Prohibition was perhaps the strangest thing United States did as a nation" ...about that, Indonesia's trying to follow this. Since late 2020, some political parties in Indonesia has been proposing a prohibition law. It's still in the Parliament's limbo as of last June.

[@jesusvilla6132]

No joke. That Keeps thing works. Just wanted to say that.

[@edu10th47]

Please make a video about Thomas Nast!🤩

[@Bahns007]

And here I just bought a bottle of George Remus Whiskey on my weekend trip to Indianapolis

[@timkennedy1192]

I grew up in the Cincinnati area and this is the very first time I've ever heard of George Remus.

[@aceundead4750]

The only thing that will never end is Simon's video empire. It will be more eternal than the eternal city Rome

[@DrJohnAZoidberg]

Simons beard is looking good

[@TheLPcollector]

is there any video about Wayne Wheeler and his Anti-Saloon League?

[@NWJonathan]

Please do a video on John Turnow “The Wildman Of The Wynoochee” !!! 🙏🏻🌲

[@5roundsrapid263]

21:01Mississippi went “wet” because several prominent citizens, including politicians, were raided during a drinking party. They simply wrote a bill to legalize it , and passed it soon after.

[@billolsen4360]

Willebrandt was a helluva lawyer, both in government service and private practice.

[@peterdenten]

Can we please get a video on Jean Lafitte, The pirate king of New Orleans? Or perhaps Napoleon II, I just came from watching your Napoleon III video and feel like he is the actual forgotten Bonaparte who lived an interesting 21 years of life.

[@joemorris8556]

Never heard of him unless you’ve watched boardwalk empire on HBO. Great show

[@jonathanstewart8106]

You know what Remus dislikes about you? All the nickle and diming!

[@littleblackduck3134]

How about a Bio of Simon Whistler

[@seansmith7811]

I use this as an example of when people say take away the guns, will not work.

[@MASTERPIECEFROMGOD]

Before I watch this video does he actually talk in third person ? 😂

[@EddieisKrueger]

I remember him from HBO's Boardwalk Empire

[@cathannah7860]

Please do Biographics about Helen Hill and the Spitfire

[@marc-antoinemarcoux697]

Make one about Léo Major

[@livinusenemaakoh8349]

Do a video on Carlo Gambino.

[@franciscojose6496]

Let's go watching

[@jesurenbnb]

Do one on clement atlee

[@ZoeAlleyne]

The jury like "who cares if he beat his wives and has a history of violence? She stole his money! "

[@QuotedPixels]

I'll be honest, she had it coming

[@ZoeAlleyne]

@@QuotedPixels no

[@frisianprideworldwide]

@@ZoeAlleyne yes

[@QuotedPixels]

@@ZoeAlleyne yes. Steal a outlaw's fortune and squander it with a Prohibition Agent who your also cheating with while he's in jail in the 1900s? What did she expect. I almost forgot he was a criminal.

[@rosaiselabehpech8897]

U do have a cool Bruce Willis look

[@quintuscrinis8032]

So this is who the lawyer in the musical Chicago comes from then?

[@PinkyJujubean]

I like to imagine that when Simon was younger he had long flowing Fabio hair and rippling muscles

[@AnthonyTheMarker]

I humbly request we cover Nat Turner!