MovieChat Forums > Once Upon a Time in America (1984) Discussion > Did any of the guys know about Noodles r...

Did any of the guys know about Noodles raping Deborah?

posted 3 years ago by PopMusicFan1927 (114)
8 replies | jump to latest

This is something about the movie that has always caused me to scratch my head. Something that stood out to me is in the scene where Noodles shows back up to the speakeasy (after weeks of smoking opium after Deborah left town) - when Noodles awkwardly sits on the couch and stirs his coffee, Moe is standing right behind him with a pair of scissors; you can tell that Noodles is pretty much wondering if Moe is going to stab him with the scissors and is almost expecting it. Also, it has been estabished at this point in the story that Moe is essentially the "friendly and funny fat friend" of the group - in this scene he is quiet and gloomy, which is unusual.
Did any of the guys know about the rape? Is it ever mentioned?

[–] mtxmind (3296) a year ago

It's pretty much left ambiguous. I wondered the same thing the first time I saw the film. We never find out for sure. The only other person who would know about it is the chauffeur.

[–] Foster1486 (634) a year ago

He wasn't worried about MOE

The last thing Max says while leaving "We're going, You Coming" Pretty much tells you that yes they knew

[–] daveyh (641) a year ago

actually that's with Tuesday Weld's character (Carol?), not Deborah

[–] Foster1486 (634) a year ago

OOOOps sorry

[–] mechajutaro (2788) a year ago

In a scene from the director's cut, the fellas discover Noodles's crime, and avenge Deb by taking turns raping him

[–] legnadibrom (6520) a year ago

i'm buying the blu-ray immediately

[–] mtxmind (3296) a year ago

You do know that was a joke, right?

[–] legnadibrom (6520) a year ago

oh, i 'll go watch Red To Kill for the 30th time then