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The Scene Where DA Moe Greene Chews Out Our Heroes


Actor Alex Rocco passed away this year (2015.)

He will always be most famous for his short role as Vegas casino owner Moe Greene in "The Godfather," and his two famous scenes: (1) Going toe to toe with Michael Corleone over a casino takeover("You buy ME out? No, I buy YOU out!" "I was making my bones when you were still dating cheerleaders!") and (2) His murder, through the eyeglasses, through the eye.

But coming in a reasonably close second -- if not nearly as well known -- is the funny, bizarre scene in "Freebie and the Bean" where Rocco plays the furious but rather mentally addled DA who calls in Alan Arkin and James Caan to sit across from him while he chews them out.

Its a pretty standard cop movie scene, made utterly hilarious by Arkin(especially) and Caan reacting, talking over each other and cowering before Rocco's rage.

Key moment: Rocco tells the two "sit down!" But they already ARE sitting down. So they look at each other, shift in their seats a bit to look like they are sitting down.

Another great moment: Rocco demands their "guns and their badges." Standard scene. But as the men reach for their guns and their badges, Rocco yells at them: "No! Don't. I don't want you touching anything in my office."

Its surreal. Very funny. Rocco runs the scene. How he talks, how he looks, his timing. Well aided by Caan...and especially Arkin, a master at sudden yelling and quietly timed deadpan looks.

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It was a rather bizarre scene in the movie.

It's that man again!!

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The staging...Rocco's nutcase acting, looks and physical tics...Arkin and Caan's frightened demeanor...its very memorable.


Odd: much later in the film, Rocco's character appears and Rocco plays the guy quite "normal" -- as if he forgot how nutty he was in this scene.

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"Sit Down!"

Such great acting. Laughing out loud at that one.

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