Moe Greene

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Moe Greene
Moe Greene 2.png
Alex Rocco as Moe Greene
First appearance The Godfather
Last appearance The Godfather
Created by Mario Puzo
Portrayed by Alex Rocco
In-universe information
Title Enforcer
Occupation Casinos' proprietor, mobster, hitman (formerly)
Family Roth Syndicate
Barzini crime family (ties)
Murder, Inc. (formerly)

Morris "Moe" Greene is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather and the 1972 film of the same title. Both Greene's character and personality are based on Bugsy Siegel: his affiliation with the mob in Los Angeles, his involvement in the development of Las Vegas, and his flamboyant tendencies. [1] Greene is portrayed in the movie by Alex Rocco. [2]

Contents

The Godfather

Greene is introduced in The Godfather as a renowned Jewish mobster and former executioner for Murder, Inc. He is credited with the development of gambling and entertainment in Las Vegas and bringing the interests of the most powerful organized crime organizations in America to Nevada. Greene is in business with Don Vito Corleone, who bankrolls the creation of Greene's first hotel-casino. In return, Greene takes the Don's second son, Fredo Corleone, under his wing during the war among the Five Families in New York, with the Molinari Family guaranteeing Fredo's safety. Although Fredo is greatly influenced by both Greene and the city, family heir Michael Corleone disapproves of the effect it has on his brother, whom Greene reportedly chastised and slapped around in public. [3]

At a discreet meeting with Greene, Michael expresses his disapproval and makes an offer to buy out Greene's entire interest in the casino as part of the Corleones' relocation to Nevada. Offended, Greene angrily refuses, claiming that the Corleones have neither the favor nor the power required to drive him out of the business and are only moving to Las Vegas because the other families are chasing them out of New York. In the film, he also belittles Michael's credentials as a Don, saying, "I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders!"

In the novel, Greene is murdered shortly afterward by Al Neri. At the end of the film, Michael has Greene killed as part of his slaughter of the Corleone family's enemies. Neri surprises Greene while he is getting a massage and shoots him through the eye. This allows Greene's casinos to become property of the Corleone family.

The Godfather: Part II

Greene's death also plays a part in the second film in the series. Greene was a childhood friend to Michael's business partner and rival Hyman Roth, and it is implied that Roth's anger over Greene's murder is one motivation for his plan to destroy Michael Corleone.

Legacy

Alex Rocco's portrayal of Greene "cemented Rocco's place in Hollywood mob cinema". Greene's character and death scene have been described as "iconic". [4] Greene's death is loosely based on the murder of mobster Bugsy Siegel. [5]

The phrase "Moe Greene special" was coined in reference to his execution by being shot through the eye. [6] Moe Greene special has subsequently been referenced in other gangster shows including The Sopranos , in the episode "Meadowlands". [7]

In 1998, he inspired the title of an Off-Broadway drama, Moe Greene Gets It In The Eye. [8]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Godfather</i> (novel) 1969 novel by Mario Puzo

The Godfather is a crime novel by American author Mario Puzo. Originally published in 1969 by G. P. Putnam's Sons, the novel details the story of a fictional Mafia family in New York City, headed by Vito Corleone, the Godfather. The novel covers the years 1945 to 1955 and includes the back story of Vito Corleone from early childhood to adulthood.

<i>The Godfather Part II</i> 1974 epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American epic crime film. The film is produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, loosely based on the 1969 novel The Godfather by Mario Puzo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Coppola. It is both a sequel and a prequel to the 1972 film The Godfather, presenting parallel dramas: one picks up the 1958 story of Michael Corleone, the new Don of the Corleone family, protecting the family business in the aftermath of an attempt on his life; the prequel covers the journey of his father, Vito Corleone, from his Sicilian childhood to the founding of his family enterprise in New York City. The ensemble cast also features Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, Mariana Hill, and Lee Strasberg.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meyer Lansky</span> Russian-American gangster (1902–1983)

Meyer Lansky, known as the "Mob's Accountant", was an American organized crime figure who, along with his associate Charles "Lucky" Luciano, was instrumental in the development of the National Crime Syndicate in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Corleone</span> Fictional character from The Godfather

Michael Corleone is a fictional character and the protagonist of Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather. In the three Godfather films, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Michael was portrayed by Al Pacino, for which he was twice-nominated for Academy Awards. Michael is the youngest son of Vito Corleone, a Sicilian immigrant who builds a Mafia empire. Upon his father's death, Michael succeeds him as the don of the Corleone crime family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia Hill</span> American mobster (1916–1966)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vito Corleone</span> Fictional character from The Godfather

Vito Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather and in the first two of Francis Ford Coppola's film trilogy. Vito is originally portrayed by Marlon Brando in the 1972 film The Godfather, and later by Oreste Baldini as a boy and by Robert De Niro as a young man in The Godfather Part II (1974). He is an orphaned Sicilian immigrant who builds a Mafia empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fredo Corleone</span> Fictional character from The Godfather series

Frederico "Fredo" Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather. Fredo is portrayed by American actor John Cazale in the Francis Ford Coppola 1972 film adaptation and in the 1974 sequel, The Godfather Part II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincent Corleone</span> Fictional character from The Godfather series

Vincent SantinoMancini is a fictional character in the 1990 feature film The Godfather Part III. He is portrayed by Andy García, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance. Vincent is the illegitimate son of Sonny Corleone and his mistress Lucy Mancini. He eventually succeeds his uncle Michael as head of the Corleone family. In Mario Puzo's original 1969 novel Lucy did not conceive a child with Sonny.

The Corleone family are fictional characters in both the novels and the films created by Mario Puzo, first appearing in his 1969 novel, The Godfather. They are an organized crime family originating from the Sicilian town of Corleone, and based in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Hagen</span> Fictional character from The Godfather series

Thomas Hagen is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather and Francis Ford Coppola's films The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974). He is portrayed by Robert Duvall in the films. He also appears in the Mark Winegardner sequel novels The Godfather Returns and The Godfather's Revenge, as well as Ed Falco's novel The Family Corleone. Duvall was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a BAFTA for his performance in the first film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Rocco</span> American actor (1936-2015)

Alex Rocco was an American actor. Known for his distinctive, gravelly voice, he was often cast as villains, including Moe Greene in The Godfather (1972) and his Primetime Emmy Award–winning role in The Famous Teddy Z. Rocco did a significant amount of voice-over work later in his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyman Roth</span> Fictional character in the film The Godfather Part II

Hyman Roth is a fictional character and the main antagonist in the 1974 film The Godfather Part II. He is also a minor character in the 2004 novel The Godfather Returns. Roth is a Jewish mobster, investor and a business partner of Vito Corleone, and later his son Michael Corleone. He is based on notorious mobster and gambling kingpin Meyer Lansky. It was Al Pacino who suggested Lee Strasberg, his former acting teacher, for the role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Neri</span> Fictional character from The Godfather series

Albert "Al" Neri is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather and Francis Ford Coppola's trilogy of films based on it. In all three motion pictures, he is portrayed by actor Richard Bright. He functions as Michael Corleone's personal enforcer, bodyguard and assassin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emilio Barzini</span> Fictional character from The Godfather series

Emilio "The Wolf" Barzini is a fictional character and the main antagonist in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather and in its 1972 film adaptation, in which he is portrayed by Richard Conte. The Barzini crime family was inspired by the Genovese crime family.

Gus Greenbaum was an American gangster in the casino industry, best known for taking over management of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas after the murder of co-founder Bugsy Siegel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moe Sedway</span> American businessman and mobster (1894–1952)

Moe Sedway was an American businessman and mobster. He was an associate of Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and a faithful lieutenant of organized crime czar Meyer Lansky. He and Gus Greenbaum made the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas very successful after Siegel's murder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connie Corleone</span> Fictional character from The Godfather series

Constanzia "Connie" Corleone is a fictional character in The Godfather, a 1969 novel by Mario Puzo, and the 1972 film The Godfather. In the film, Connie is portrayed by Talia Shire, the sister of the director Francis Ford Coppola. Shire was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Connie Corleone in The Godfather Part II.

References

  1. ↑ "Fact and Fiction in The Godfather". crimelibrary.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  2. ↑ Vincent Canby (2014). "Movie Review: The Godfather". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  3. ↑ Larry D. Gragg (January 16, 2015). Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel: The Gangster, the Flamingo, and the Making of Modern Las Vegas: The Gangster, the Flamingo, and the Making of Modern Las Vegas. ABC-CLIO. pp. 14–. ISBN   978-1-4408-0186-0.
  4. ↑ Fraley, Jason (July 20, 2015). "'Do you know who I am?' The legacy of Moe Greene". WTOP. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  5. ↑ Evans, Greg (July 19, 2015). "Alex Rocco, 'Godfather's' Cocky (And Doomed) Moe Greene, Dies At 79". Deadline. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  6. ↑ Hal Erickson (December 11, 2017). Any Resemblance to Actual Persons: The Real People Behind 400+ Fictional Movie Characters. McFarland. pp. 214–. ISBN   978-1-4766-6605-1.
  7. ↑ M. Keith Booker; Isra Daraiseh (March 1, 2017). Tony Soprano's America: Gangsters, Guns, and Money. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 74–. ISBN   978-1-4422-7323-8.
  8. ↑ Van Gelder, Lawrence (March 5, 1998). "THEATER REVIEW; Just One Guy Named Moe, and He Ain't Even Here". The New York Times.
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