Two aging old coots rival the untouchables in this fantasia on the prohibition era that is an entertaining burlesque on a historical subject. Jackie Gleason and Art Carney are reunited to play the title characters, old friends who has had several fallings-out yet reconciled to become New York answer to what Kevin Costner would document several years later in a major Hollywood Blockbuster.
Gleason, dressed to the nines, doesn't exactly get a warm welcome from Carney, having been raided by the feds which has closed his speakeasy. So the last thing he's interested in doing it becoming a government agent himself, but since Gleason owes him money, it seems like the easier way to get it back. The results are nowhere near realistic in a historical value, but to see Kramden and Norton together again is a shear delight.
The detail of the 1920's is well put together, and caricatures of various 20's personalities add an authenticity that is lacking from the overall narrative. Cynthia Harris is excellent as a hostess based upon Texas Guinan, while Thelma Lee is a delight as Gleason's obnoxious mother-in-law. The highlight is the opportunity to see Carney in drag, looking like Dame Edna, and having a wedding scene with Gleason as the groom. So don't expect Prohibition 101 in this fictitious variation of New York's fight against rum runners, but a good old fashioned style modern version of what is Warner Brothers might have done in the main d 1930's with EGR and Cagney.
Gleason, dressed to the nines, doesn't exactly get a warm welcome from Carney, having been raided by the feds which has closed his speakeasy. So the last thing he's interested in doing it becoming a government agent himself, but since Gleason owes him money, it seems like the easier way to get it back. The results are nowhere near realistic in a historical value, but to see Kramden and Norton together again is a shear delight.
The detail of the 1920's is well put together, and caricatures of various 20's personalities add an authenticity that is lacking from the overall narrative. Cynthia Harris is excellent as a hostess based upon Texas Guinan, while Thelma Lee is a delight as Gleason's obnoxious mother-in-law. The highlight is the opportunity to see Carney in drag, looking like Dame Edna, and having a wedding scene with Gleason as the groom. So don't expect Prohibition 101 in this fictitious variation of New York's fight against rum runners, but a good old fashioned style modern version of what is Warner Brothers might have done in the main d 1930's with EGR and Cagney.