[Sonny pays a visit to his sister Connie. He is surprised to find her subdued and evasive] Sonny: [surprised] What's the matter? Huh? What's the matter? [He looks at her swollen face and understands what has happened. He pulls away to go after Carlo... ] Connie: [grabbing his shoulders] It was my…
Catalog
Mario Puzo
Mario Gianluigi Puzo (/ˈpuːzoʊ/; Italian: [ˈmaːrjo ˈpuddzo]; October 15, 1920 – July 2, 1999) was an American author, screenwriter and journalist of Italian descent. He is known for his crime novels about the Mafia, most notably The Godfather (1969), which he later co-adapted into a three-part film saga directed by Francis Ford Coppola. He received the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the first film in 1972 and Part II in 1974. Puzo also wrote the original screenplay for the 1978 Superman film. His last novel, The Family, was released posthumously in 2001. 2Life and career Puzo was born in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, into a poor family from Pietradefusi, Province of Avellino, Campania, Italy. Many of his books draw heavily on this heritage. After graduating from the City College of New York, he joined the United States Army Air Forces in World War II. Due to his poor eyesight, the military did not let him undertake combat duties but made him a public relations officer stationed in Germany. In 1950, his first short story, "The Last Christmas", was published in American Vanguard. After the war, he wrote his first book, The Dark Arena, which was published in 195
Women and children can afford to be careless, but not men.
Bonasera: I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. I gave her freedom but I taught her never to dishonor her family. She found a 'boy friend,' not an Italian. She went to the movies with him. She stayed out late. I didn't protest. Two…
You talk about vengeance. Is vengeance going to bring your son back to you? Or my boy to me?
[speaking to himself, practicing his speech] Don Corleone, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your home on the wedding day of your daughter. And may their first child be a masculine child. [then, starting over]
[Tessio brings in Luca Brasi's bulletproof vest, delivered with a fish inside] Sonny: What the hell is this? Clemenza: It's a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.
I don't like violence, Tom. I'm a businessman; blood is a big expense.
Sollozzo: Bene, Don Corleone. I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need, Don Corleone, all of those politicians that you carry around in your pocket, like so many nickels and dimes. Don Corleone: What is the interest for my family? Sollozzo: Thirty percent. In…
Michael: All right. This one time I'll let you ask me about my affairs. Kay Adams: Is it true? Is it? Michael: No. [Kay smiles and walks into his arms] Kay Adams: I guess we both need a drink, huh? [Kay goes to the kitchen to fix a drink, but sees Peter Clemenza, Rocco Lampone, and Al Neri enter…
Tom Hagen: Mr. Corleone is Johnny Fontane's godfather. Now Italians regard that as a very close, a very sacred religious relationship. Jack Woltz: Tell your boss he can ask for anything else, but this is one favor I can't grant him. Tom Hagen: Mr. Corleone never asks a second favor once he's refused…
Don Corleone: We have known each other many years, but this is the first time you've come to me for counsel or for help. I can't remember the last time you invited me to your house for a cup of coffee, even though my wife is godmother to your only child. But let's be frank here. You never wanted my…
Michael: My credit good enough to buy you out? Moe Greene: Buy me out? [Fredo laughs nervously] Michael: The hotel, the casino. The Corleone Family wants to buy you out. Moe Greene: The Corleone Family wants to buy me out? No, I buy you out, you don't buy me out. Michael: Your casino loses money,…
Kay Adams: Michael, you never told me you knew Johnny Fontane! Michael: Sure, you want to meet him? Kay Adams: Well, yeah! Sure. Michael: My father helped him with his career. Kay Adams: How did he do that? Michael: ...Let's listen to the song. Kay Adams: [after listening to Johnny for a while] Tell…
In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns.
[to Rocco, who has killed Paulie in the car] Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Michael: My father is no different than any powerful man, any man with power, like a president or senator. Kay Adams: Do you know how naive you sound, Michael? Presidents and senators don't have men killed. Michael: Oh. Who's being naive, Kay?
Only don't tell me you're innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and makes me very angry.
Johnny Fontane: [discussing his problems] I don't know what to do, Godfather. My voice is weak, it's weak. Anyway, if I had this part in the picture, it puts me right back on top, you know. But this... this man out there. He won't give it to me, the head of the studio. Don Corleone: What's his name?…
You cannot say ‘no’ to the people you love, not often. That’s the secret. And then when you do, it has to sound like a ‘yes’. Or you have to make them say ‘no.’ You have to take time and trouble.
You cannot say ‘no’ to the people you love, not often. That’s the secret. And then when you do, it has to sound like a ‘yes’. Or you have to make them say ‘no.’ You have to take time and trouble.