Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith, Prohibition Agents

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

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[@georgewnewman3201]

I saw the movie about Izzy and Moe starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney back in the 1980's and enjoyed seeing someone tell their story.

[@georgewnewman3201]

One more thought, Izzy and Moe deserve to have a glass raised to them, but only where its legal

[@keithrobertsson2164]

Izzy was played by Jackie Gleason and Moe by Art Carney in the 1985 film Izzy and Moe.

[@mellissadalby1402]

Yet another one of the greatest stories I've never heard of before. Thanks for all your hard work and diligence.

[@sydneymarks774]

My grandfather is Moe Smith. I found your KZbin video when I was looking for some other information on-line. I enjoyed your video history lesson. (What a great idea!). I never read Izzy's autobiography, but I am pretty sure that is where many purported "facts" about this dynamic (and admittedly very funny) duo come from, and which is repeated in many articles. FYI: I know for a fact that my grandfather carried a gun; however he never used it.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Sydney Marks wow! That is awesome! I got the information from several sources, but I do agree that most probably tracks back to Einstein’s book. Are you implying that he may have embellished a tad? Thanks for the information!

[@sydneymarks774]

Many of the stories have been embellished, but that does not in any way detract from their accomplishments, and the fact that they risked their lives. Also, many stories have not been published. As for embellishment, I suggest that you compare the picture of what purports to be Izzy and Moe in costume (I believe there is only one published picture of them in costume), and compare that picture to the many other pictures of them. Hmmmmm.

[@GermanShepherd1983]

It's too bad that anyone enforced prohibition. Nothing wrong with drinking alcohol or smoking weed.

[@Free_Krazy]

THIS is half the reason i love this channel!!! Ive seen a few people now who are connected with these historic events and people in these videos! Thank you for just making your presence known and adding to the history of your Grandfather.

[@brookshadlin117]

Bs

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

Nobody hooks me quite the way The History Guy does. Glad there's lots of content.

[@accidentalheadclunkers8517]

Your channel has seriously affected my productivity. I wouldn't be surprised if you have to eventually do a video on how the GDP took a noticeable dip when you started making videos.

[@ericvantassell6809]

sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo true

[@Inviting1word]

5-10 minuet videos, 6-12 videos an hour, explains why I have been sitting for about hour.

[@dananderson3877]

Get to work, slackers, or we’ll sic Izzy and Moe’s grandkids on you!

[@zelphx]

Two humorous things: having to explain that "Izzy Einstein" was Jewish, and the fact that "Izzy and Moe's" is the best bar name EVER!

[@philliplopez8745]

This guy ( the history guy ) is a true marvel . Enjoy them all !

[@ericvantassell6809]

I'm a bit of a history nerd but never knew about Izzy & Moe. Thanks to you I'll now remember them

[@garycarpenter2980]

There's a movie about them starring Art Carney and Jackie Gleason that was made in the 90s.... I believe KZbin has it

[@dirkditmer453]

The best story I heard about Izzy was when he bragged he could get a drink anywhere in less than a couple hours, and did so in Philadelphia and Chicago. But the record was 35 seconds in New Orleans when he asked the taxi driver where he could get a drink, and the driver handed him a bottle.

[@e.b.1728]

I recall an 80's made for tv movie detailing the exploits of Izzy and Moe. The late Jackie Gleason portrayed Izzy Einstein. If I recall correctly the movie focused on their unorthodox methods which lead to their rousing success.

[@paulevans3261]

LOVE your work!!!! Find it VERY hard to wait until the next 'adventure'... for THAT is what they are to me and your voice and words, make it so!Well done young Son!

[@maxsmodels]

This should be a sitcom.

[@Carandini]

It was made into a movie, with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney in the 1970's.

[@GermanShepherd1983]

Unfortunately we currently have a reality sit com in the White House. It's called "How many ways can Donald Trump destroy a country?"

[@LillyMarz777]

@@GermanShepherd1983 Name one.

[@joemackey1950]

And here's the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ3YZKaHd9B5jsk Great film.

[@johnnyliminal8032]

@joemackey1950 That’s great, thank you!

[@motorcop505]

What a great story of two outstanding agents!

[@johnkelley9877]

Talk about super cops! They were really effective. It is a shame their bosses could not see it. Thanks for sharing this.

[@alinepeed7167]

I agree 100%!

[@davemarks7322]

A great riveting presentation, (as usual). Thanks HG

[@GaryMCurran]

I really enjoy these videos. Some of them I know about, this one I didn't. Interesting stuff. Thank you for bringing this stuff to light.

[@orangelion03]

About 80% through your channel! So good. This episode needs an update to tell us "the rest of the story"...how did Izzy and Moe's lives turn out afterwards? Yes, I'm hitting Google as soon as I finish typing this, but it would be nice to hear it from you =) Edit via Wikipedia: Both men went into the insurance business and did well, despite the Great Depression. Einstein worked for the New York Life Insurance Company.[6] He died at age 57, February 17, 1938,[1] several days after having a leg amputated.[8] He was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery, Queens County, New York. Smith lived until 1960, when he died from a stroke in Yonkers, New York.[11]

[@TheWhoshoyu]

Another great story in history. Thanks.

[@GnonplussedGnome]

I laughed so hard my sides hurt, Wonderful Story and being real is a huge bonus!

[@stupidhat1779]

Excellent video, love these prohibition stories, we had a few bootleggers in my family's past :-)

[@wanderingangelstudio1359]

Great topic! I now watch The History Guy videos instead of reading before bedtime. What fun!

[@av8tor261]

"The bartender would end up behind bars" OMG that's good.

[@barrettkeller9855]

Great History! What a couple of characters. There is also the story of a USMC Maj. General and the City of Philadelphia during prohibition. In 1924 Smedley Darlington Butler a Major General in the USMC was 'invited' to take the position of Director of Public Safety in Philadelphia by President Coolidge. This appointment included the running the Police and Fire Departments. In his typical fashion, as the most highly decorated Marine of the time, he took to the job with determination and vigor. After 2 years of dealing with the corruption in the Police Department and local government, closing thousands of Speakeasys, offending the public with his unbridled and coarse military speech and greatly annoying a politician or three, he was then encouraged to resign. General Butler was another very colorful character in a day of very colorful characters. BTW, Butler was also the whistle blower on the plot to overthrow FDR's administration.

[@peterk8909]

Barrett Keller Butler was supposed to become a figurehead President, allowing the big business people who recruited him to, in effect, run the country. Sadly, none of those bastards were never charged. Butler was a true Patriot.

[@rabbi120348]

Thee big business people figured out other ways to run the country for their personal and corporate profit.

[@Twolegger]

NetFlix, please buy whatever rights there are and film this as a one season series. I love that this is real, American history and better still, folly. THG, great job as always. Your work is very much appreciated!

[@ghrey8282]

Good story, well told.

[@angelamewes4176]

I cant get enough if this channel!! Ty ty ty!

[@bobnicholas5994]

Excellent sounds like a great movie script.

[@luciennerizk4549]

This was a great story, thank you!

[@dseanmat]

Very thorough! Thanks for a great, enjoyable, informative video.

[@Michaelbos]

Enjoyed it. Wondering what happen to them after the layoff.

[@kennethhill1535]

i am so glad u talked about them i loved the movie about them but learning about the real them was a blast thanks

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Kenneth Hill Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. Hard to find since it was made for TV.

[@LePrince1890]

There was a fictionalized retelling of the story of "Izzy and Moe" in the 1980s as a television film, co-starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney.

[@RBMD2A]

Great installment. I want to read this agent’s autobiography

[@timhuber2814]

You continue to impress sir

[@alinepeed7167]

Izzy and Moe's story deserved to be told a very long time ago. But, better late than never.

[@marbleman52]

Now this was a real hoot to watch...!!

[@Pynaegan]

Are you sure you don't mean "hootch"?

[@johnnyjames7139]

Thanks, I have seen the movie with Gleason/ Carney, had no idea it was based on real people.

[@toddgreco6868]

This deserves to be a great movie!!!

[@philliberatore4265]

Bars and restaurants were shut down in California for about a year during COVID. After a few months, the owners we're looking at a real possibility of bankruptcy, so they started quietly opening up. Never in my life did I anticipate being in a real speakeasy.

[@ZenZaBill]

The story of these guys' exploits would make for a great movie!

[@paulawolff3456]

Absolutely love this!!

[@garycarpenter2980]

I really did love the movie 🎥 about them and I thought it was hilarious Jackie Gleason and Art Carney always worked great together

[@kennethhill1535]

found it on KZbin it was one of my dads favorites

[@Rmasters33]

The Anti Saloon League had it's printing plant in Westerville, Ohio, a northeast suburb of Columbus. So much mail came out of the League that Westerville was the smallest city in the USA with a First Class Post Office. Westerville remained a dry city until about 10 years ago.

[@johnnydeville5701]

Another amazing video! Way to go THG!

[@jackfarley6566]

Love your channel could you do a show of all the military covers you have on your shelves Thank

[@txgunguy2766]

If you look at the 18th amendment, it specifically prohibits the manufacture of, the sale of, the transport of and the import/export of intoxicating beverages but it says NOTHING about the possession of or the consumption of said beverages. So technically, you could legally sit on your front porch drinking beer from a case you bought the day before prohibition went into effect. You might want to have the dated bill of sale handy though.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

That is true, and wealthier individuals were able to "stock up" prior to passage.

[@christopherconard2831]

True about stocking up. Many of the social clubs, fraternities, and assorted college organizations in Ivy League schools had basements loaded with booze. Partly for members, but also to make sure that noted alumni could have a drink when they stopped by. They conveniently overlooked the fact that many of the alumni were elected gentlemen who had supported prohibition to begin with.

[@RobKleifgen]

Yes they do. Just awesome. Thank you

[@trussmax]

Great story! Your history bits become as addicting as the booze Izzy and Moe trying to quell.

[@kevinbertke5757]

Jackie Gleason & Art Carney did a TV movie in 1985 called IZZY AND MOE based on these real guys.

[@sameyers2670]

Thank you for another interesting video History Guy

[@macnutz4206]

Now I understand why most never heard of them. They didn't kill anyone and so they were not movie material. They did stick to the small fry. Ness is famous for busting the king pin. Thanks for reminding the world of these two remarkable men. Being from a long line of law enforcement types, I find these stories super interesting.

[@GenSturgeon]

Not movie material? Izzy & Moe www.imdb.com/title/tt0089358/

[@robertberger8642]

Good story, thanks!

[@josephpicogna6348]

So very well written and entertaining. I now know the story of Izzie the Revenuer.

[@FoxMacLeod2501]

That was a stroke of genius, dropping in that comparison to Don Quixote.

[@jessicajujubean5004]

They should make a game of this. It would be quite popular.

[@jeffpowell8308]

That's a great episode (I write as in consuming a beer) about a interesting couple of detectives. I'm flabbergasted that they were left go for being too good at their jobs. I'm wondering about the fate of those serving time for having broken the volstad act after prohibition was repealed. Were the majority of them set free?

[@jimtalbott9535]

There's a house here in my town, Richland, WA, owned by the widow of one of the Untouchables - Martin LaHart - His wife still owns it.

[@glennlaroche1524]

How has this not been made into a movie?!?!

[@sowvision1673]

In the spirit of prohibition (pun intended), how about doing a piece about Al Capone’s alleged Canadian connection, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The folks in Moose Jaw have created a tourism industry around the tunnels that were built by the Chinese immigrants to live in while paying off their head tax (another terrible bit of history that deserves to be remembered). Rumour has it that Al Capone used these tunnels during prohibition as a part of a cross border smuggling operation. The tunnels of Moose Jaw are a great source of tourism revenue for this unique little city, but is any of it really true? By the way, this would be a lovely little historical vacation for you and the history mrs.

[@richardmattingly7000]

Years ago Art Carney and Jackie Gleason stars of the iconic TV show The Honeymooners played the men in a highly fictionalized account of the agents exploits in the movie Izzy and Moe. During Prohibition many dodged the law by having doctors write them prescriptions for liquor that could be filled at the drug store for medicinal purposes. Many knew that before the law took effect meant they could buy as much liquor as they could afford then sell it later and JFK's father made a lot of his money by getting in on action of this legal trickery. Distilleries outside the US made a money hand over fist by providing rum runners with ample supplies often bought off ships that were floating warehouse out side of US 15 mile limit. One tragic result from the era was the govt. adulterated industrial alcohol so it was poisonous for human consumption and thousands died as a result of bootleggers using it in bathtub gin concoctions. Many hotels simply walled of there cellars since liquor bought before the act wasn't collected and many of those who bought their booze ahead of time were well lubricated until there supplies ran out. The failure of Prohibiton was quickly apparent as the zealots who worked getting it passed didn't contend that part of the religious component that drove its adoption seemed laughable following WW1. Indeed the purity of mind/spirit movements had been a hold over from 1800s and the Victorian obsession about wasting one future success thru nocturnal emissions or sex outside marriage fueled the Prohibitionist fervor to save America from drunken escapades with wrong people.

[@robrosen7291]

Might as well do a video about Harry J Anslinger. He picked up where Prohibition left off.

[@binaway]

What about Al Capone's brother James Vincenzo Capone ( AKA Richard James Hart) who was a Prohibition agent in nebraska/

[@BearBearSmash]

You are amazing sir, thank you for this posted video. Do you have any sources on Sacramento, California's prohibition history by chance?

[@mikearmstrong655]

Great story ! I have a suggestion one of the very first plant nurseries was in California owned by John Rock on land once the governor of Mexico property was bought by the Roedings and was responsible for influencing food crops in the US as well as ornamentals

[@oceanexploration]

I'm having a drink while I watch this. Although ironic, I approve!

[@iangates8815]

yo history guy can you do some about lake erie battles or ship wrecks

[@tinabrasher6933]

I love this one!

[@njpaddler]

Thanks for this. It really should be Joel & Ethan Coen's next script. John Goodman and...

[@tulsatrash]

I love this.

[@ruffian1868]

Cheers to you Izzy and Moe :)

[@borden2417]

History guy, have you ever heard of the Alexander Aircraft Co. of Englewood, Colorado. A very interesting story, 1925.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Charles Borden I am, I actually used to live in CO and have had the opportunity to appreciate the Alexanders on display at DIA and the aircraft museum in Pueblo (yes, I have flown into Pueblo Memorial Airport.) But an episode on it had no occurred to me. I will definitely put it on my list! Thank you!

[@arjovenzia]

Prohibition is a fascinating time in us history. I wonder if the 'war on drugs' will be remembered with similar nostalgia. Undoubtedly harmful substances, but far more harmful enforcers. These guys are remembered for being peaceful, but the reason this is noteworthy, many were not. Thanks, History Guy, great story. Keep it up!

[@n.christopherperry8941]

Their story should be a movie!

[@kellyrayburn4093]

The movie was made. Izzy and Moe starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney as the title characters. Good film.

[@jeffbangkok]

Amazing 5 AM start with my coffee...WOW

[@dennisriblett4622]

There was a Movie Made about them Art Carney was one Star ,With Jackie Gleason playing His partner ,Came out in 1985 and was called Izzy and Moe

[@icebob8555]

I’ll drink to that

[@Inviting1word]

said news, you have been arrested.

[@mattkaustickomments]

I appreciate their moxie and dedication to duty. It’s a shame the laws were so misguided and unnecessary.

[@olliefoxx7165]

"Izzy and Moe", that would be a good movie based on their lives and exploits.

[@e.b.1728]

A made for tv movie was done about their exploits back in the 80's. The late Jackie Gleason portrayed Izzy Einstein.

[@jimsvideos7201]

5:48 Oh I see what you did there.

[@bkohatl]

I bought a book about the roaring 20's, had stories about Clarence Darrow's Monkey Trial and the Crime of the Century. One of the other stories was Izzy and Moe.

[@DeanDayton-gk6le]

It would be interesting to see what you would have to say about Harry J. Anslinger.

[@laserbeam002]

I had an uncle, by marriage, who made a fortune buying box car loads of sugar and selling it whiskey makers/bootleggers. He hated to see prohibition end. In my area of the south there were several men who made a lot of money making and selling whiskey. Prohibition, like the war on drugs, was an abject failure from the very first day.

[@matthewronsson]

"Two of the best revenue collectors" is what he meant to say about these two men.

[@jonswebilius6900]

Another terrific report. Thank you, History Guy. (But not one of those people ever deserved to be arrested for serving a drink. Make alcohol illegal? You might as well try to outlaw marijuana!)

[@rlicon1970]

Good story

[@nicholasstilley2370]

So was there any relation between Izzy Einstein and Albert Einstein, they seem to both have similar stories both being Austrian and of Jewish decent, or is that just a semi common name, keep it up

[@johnhobson9165]

For one thing, Albert Einstein was German, not Hungarian. It's just two men with the same last name. (I have the same name as a 19th century English economist, but AFAIK, we are unrelated.)

[@yaboybigt559]

I believe they were related, albeit distantly. My grandmother was an Einstein (Izzy's granddaughter) and our relation to Albert was a claim to fame in our family, even though we are not direct descendants. But Albert is a frequently-occurring name in our family tree, and one of Izzy's children was named Albert.

[@williamharmon3076]

Not saying that this story is not true, but its kinda hard to believe that these two celebrity detectives did not garner wrath among the criminal element of the Era I'm sure some in the under world would have ordered someone to take these two out .

[@elsiestormont1366]

Great!

[@nohandle974]

You rock!

[@Carandini]

I only knew about them because of a Jackie Gleason/Art Carney movie called 'Izzy and Moe'.

[@robinsattahip6269]

The Prohibition is such a regretful era in American History, it made a mockery out of the concept of freedom.

[@vaporhtrail4350]

I want a movie based on these guys

[@johntabler349]

Love the law enforcement stories!

[@awesomeferret]

So THAT'S where the Jackie Gleason and Art Carney movie came from (Izzy and Moe).

[@jeremycook4670]

A patreon account and you might be able to just do a full 30 minute documentary once a month or every two months, along with doing your normal KZbin stuff that applies to most people's attention span

[@gregalmeroth3737]

Oh... great movie idea!!!!!!!!! Sell it to Hollywood.Bravo, excellent!!!!

[@Pynaegan]

Done been done. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ3YZKaHd9B5jsk

[@JL-cn1qi]

Consumption wasn't illegal i think. Making, buying selling or transporting was.