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Quotes tagged “ Mafia”

“Senior anti-mafia officials and researchers have told CNN that Mafia clans are already taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic, especially in southern Italy.”
— Valentina Di Donato, The Mafia is poised to exploit coronavirus, and not just in Italy
Tagged: Mafia, Italy, coronavirus, COVID-19
“Donnie Brasco: You think I'm a rat...?

Lefty: [to Donnie's while in his car, before putting a loaded revolver to his head] How many times have I had you in my house? If you're a rat, then I'm the biggest mutt in the history of the Mafia.”
— Donnie Brasco / Joseph D. 'Joe' Pistone, Donnie Brasco
Tagged: Mafia, Rat, Snitch
“"pow-pow-pow-pow-pow," one neighbor said”
— Benjamin Weiser, Michael Wilson, Frank Cali, the Slain Gambino Boss, Was a ‘Ghost’ Who Avoided the Limelight
Tagged: Gambino, Mafia
“I know there are women, like my best friends, who would have gotten out of there the minute their boyfriend gave them a gun to hide. But I didn't. I got to admit the truth. It turned me on.”
— Karen Hill, GoodFellas
Tagged: Gun, Mafia, Hybristophilia
“[narrating] You know, we always called each other good fellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, 'You're gonna like this guy. He's all right. He's a good fella. He's one of us.' You understand? We were good fellas. Wiseguys. But Jimmy and I could never be made because we had Irish blood. It didn't even matter that my mother was Sicilian. To become a member of a crew you've got to be one hundred per cent Italian so they can trace all your relatives back to the old country. See, it's the highest honor they can give you. It means you belong to a family and crew. It means that nobody can fuck around with you. It also means you could fuck around with anybody just as long as they aren't also a member. It's like a license to steal. It's a license to do anything. As far as Jimmy was concerned with Tommy being made, it was like we were all being made. We would now have one of our own as a member.”
— Henry Hill, GoodFellas
Tagged: Mafia, Good Fellas, Wise Guys, italian, Sicilian, irish
“Vincent Mancini: [Vincent has caught one of Zaza's hitmen and is talking to the other] Wait a minute, don't do anything, just watch. I'm going to show you something, just watch, OK? [shoots the one he is holding...killer releases Grace] All right, just relax. Now, tell me; who sent you?

Hired Killer: [still in shock] Joey, Joey Zaza. He sent us to kill you.

Vincent Mancini: Thanks. [shoots the second killer]”
— Don Vincent 'Vinnie' Mancini-Corleone, The Godfather: Part III
Tagged: Murder, Mafia, Hit Man
“Joey Zasa: The Miucci association and elected you their Italian American man of the year. [hands Michael a plaque]

Michael Corleone: Oh, Miucci. Who's Miucci?

Joey Zasa: He's the Italian American who invented the telephone. He did it one year before Alexander Graham Bell.

Michael Corleone: Oh. And this is the reason you have come to my home on this day.

Joey Zasa: I have a stone in my shoe, Mr. Corleone. A two-bit punk who works for me. Who thinks he's related to you. A bastard.

Al Neri: He's here. Vincent Mancini. He's at the party.

Michael Corleone: Well, bring him in.

Joey Zasa: I think it's good that we talk. I have a problem. Now I have to find out if it is my problem or your problem.

Michael Corleone: Joey, your business is your business. I have no interest, no percentages. I'm out.

Joey Zasa: Good, then it is my problem.

Connie: [Connie and Vincent enter] Michael, you know Vincent Mancini. Sonny's boy.

Vincent Mancini: Hey, how you doin' Mr. Corleone.

Michael Corleone: How you doing.

Vincent Mancini: I'm doin' good. How you doin'?

Michael Corleone: Good.

Vincent Mancini: Nice party.

Michael Corleone: Oh, you like it?

Vincent Mancini: Yeah, I had to sneak in.

Michael Corleone: Well, you dressed for it. What's the trouble between you and Mr. Joe Zasa?

Vincent Mancini: Just trouble. I'll take care of it.

Michael Corleone: That's foolish of you.

Vincent Mancini: Foolish of me? It's a little foolish of this guy don't you think? Right? RIGHT!

Michael Corleone: Temper like his father. Vincent, Mr. Joe Zasa now owns what used to be the Corleone family business in New York. Out of the kindness of his heart he gave you a job with his family. Contrary to my advice you took the job. I offered you something better. Something in the legitimate world. You turned me down. Now you both come to me with this bad blood. What do you expect me to do? Am I a gangster?

Vincent Mancini: No, no, you're not a gangster, Uncle Mike.

Connie: Michael, that's Papa's old neighborhood now it's a sewer. Zasa runs it like a disgrace the ladies told me.”
— Don Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part III
Tagged: kindness, Temper, trouble, Mafia, italian american
“Vincent Mancini: You had a gun. They only had a knife. You could have talked them into surrendering. Turned them over to the police. Hey, Uncle Mike, Zasa sent these guys I was just sending him a message that's all.

Michael Corleone: Now he has to send you a message back.

Vincent Mancini: Joey Zasa's gonna send me a message? Joey Zasa's gonna send me a message?

Connie: Michael, he did the right thing. He got Zasa's name.

Michael Corleone: What's Joey Zasa got to do this this? Joey Zasa's a patso. Joey Zasa. Alright, you are what you are. It's in your nature. From now on you stick close to me. You don't go anywhere, you don't do anything, you don't talk to anyone without checking with me first, understand?

Vincent Mancini: Yeah.

Michael Corleone: I've got problems with the commission, young man!

Vincent Mancini: Yeah, I know.

Michael Corleone: You don't make them any easier.

Vincent Mancini: I know.

Michael Corleone: Alright, go on. Get out of here.

Connie: Michael.

Michael Corleone: Yes.

Connie: Now they'll fear you.

Michael Corleone: Maybe they should fear you.”
— Don Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part III
Tagged: Fear, Gun, Revenge, Mafia
“Michael Corleone: What's wrong with being a lawyer?

Kay Corleone: Nothing, except he doesn't want it. He loves music; he wants his life to be in music.

Michael Corleone: Well, music is great. I love music but he should finish what he started. Anthony.

Anthony Vito Corleone: I'm going my own way.

Michael Corleone: Your own way.

Anthony Vito Corleone: Uh-huh.

Michael Corleone: Professional singer.

Anthony Vito Corleone: That's right.

Michael Corleone: And what happens if you fail?

Anthony Vito Corleone: I won't fail.

Michael Corleone: Men always believe that. With a law degree you're taking on insurance. After that you can do anything you want. You can work for me.

Anthony Vito Corleone: I will never work for you. I have bad memories.

Michael Corleone: All families have bad memories.

Anthony Vito Corleone: I will always be your son, but I will never have anything to do with your business.

Michael Corleone: Anthony, finish the law degree.

Anthony Vito Corleone: No.

Kay Corleone: That he got from you. That 'no.'

Michael Corleone: You could have helped me, Kay. You could have helped me to convince him.

Kay Corleone: Convince him of what?

Michael Corleone: He throws his life away. He throws greatness away!

Kay Corleone: This is greatness? You know, Michael, now that you're so respectable I think you're more dangerous than you ever were. In fact, I preferred you when you were just a common Mafia hood.

Michael Corleone: Alright, can we talk now? Common sense?

Kay Corleone: Alright. Tony knows you killed Fredo.

Michael Corleone: Why did you come here?

Kay Corleone: I came here to protect my son. I didn't come here to see you disguised by your church. I thought that was a shameful ceremony.”
— Kay Adams Michelson, The Godfather: Part III
Tagged: Church, law degree, Singer, Mafia
“I don't—I never knew no godfather. I got my own family, senator.”
— Frankie Pentangeli, The Godfather: Part II
Tagged: Godfather, Family, Mafia
“Senator Pat Geary: Mr. Cici, was there always a buffer involved?

Willi Cici: A what?

Senator Pat Geary: A buffer. Someone in between you and your possible superiors who passed on to you the actual order to kill someone.

Willi Cici: Oh yeah, a buffer. The family had a lot of buffers!”
— Senator Pat Geary, The Godfather: Part II
Tagged: buffer, Mafia
“Kay: It made me think of what you once told me: 'In five years the Corleone family will be completely legitimate.' That was seven years ago.

Michael Corleone: I know. I'm trying, darling.”
— Kay Corleone, The Godfather: Part II
Tagged: Mafia, legitimate
“I know now that it's over. I knew it then. There would be no way, Michael...no way you could ever forgive me not with this Sicilian thing that's been going on for 2,000 years. [Michael loses control. He slaps Kay across the face. She falls onto the couch]”
— Kay Corleone, The Godfather: Part II
Tagged: Sicilian, Mafia, Violence Against Women
“Sonny: Tom-anuch! Hey, a hundred button men on the street twenty-four hours a day. That Turk shows one hair on his ass, he's dead. Believe me. [to Michael, whose face is bruised] Hey Michael, c'mere. Let me look at you. You look beautiful, just beautiful, you're gorgeous. Hey, listen to this. The Turk, he wants to talk. You imagine the nerve on this son of a bitch, hey? Craps out last night he wants a meetin' today.

Tom Hagen: What did he say?

Sonny: What did he say? Badda-beep, badda-bap, badda-boop, badda-beep, he wants us to send Michael to hear the proposition, and the promise is the deal is so good we can't refuse. Hey.

Tom Hagen: What about Bruno Tattaglia?

Sonny: That's part of the deal. Bruno cancels out what they did to my father.

Tom Hagen: Sonny, we ought to hear what they have to say.

Sonny: No, no, no! No more! Not this time, Consigliere! No more meetin's! No more discussions! No more Sollozzo tricks! You give 'em one message—'I want Solozzo. If not, it's all-out war, we go to the mattresses.

Tom Hagen: Some of the other families won't sit still for all-out war!

Sonny: Then they hand me Sollozzo!

Tom Hagen: Your father would want to hear this. This is business, not personal.

Sonny: They shot my father? It's business, your ass.

Tom Hagen: Even the shooting of your father was business, not personal, Sonny!

Sonny: Well then, business will have to suffer, all right? And listen, do me a favor, Tom. No more advice on how to patch things up, just help me win, please. All right?

Tom Hagen: I found out about this Captain McClusky who broke Mike's jaw.

Sonny: What about him?

Tom Hagen: Now, he's definitely on Sollozzo's payroll and for big money. McClusky has agreed to be the Turk's bodyguard. What you have to understand, Sonny, is that while Sollozzo's being guarded like this he is invulnerable. Now, nobody has ever gunned down a New York police captain. Never. It would be disastrous. All the five families would come after you, Sonny. The Corleone Family would be outcast. Even the old man's political protection would run for cover. So, do me a favor, take this into consideration.

Sonny: All right, we wait.

Michael: It can't wait.

Sonny: Huh?

Michael: It can't wait. I don't care what Sollozzo says about a deal, he's gonna kill Pop. That's it. That's a key for him. Gotta get Sollozzo.

Clemenza: Mikey's right.

Sonny: Let me ask you something, Professor. I mean, what about this McClusky, huh? What do we do with this cop here?

Michael: They want to have a meeting with me, right? It will be me, McClusky and Sollozzo. Let's set the meeting. Get our informants to find out where it's going to be held. Now we insist it's a public place—'a bar or a restaurant, some place where there's people there so I'll feel safe. They're going to search me when I first meet them, right? So I can't have a weapon on me then. But if Clemenza can figure a way to have a weapon planted there for me, then I'll kill them both.

Sonny: [Clemenza, Tessio and Sonny laugh] Hey. What are you gonna do? Nice college boy, huh? Didn't want to get mixed up in the family business? Now you want to gun down a police captain, what, 'cause he slapped you in the face a little bit, huh? What do you think, this the Army where you shoot 'em a mile away? No, you gotta get up close like this—'badda-bing!—'you blow their brains all over your nice Ivy League suit. C'mere. [Kisses Michael on the head]

Sonny: You're taking this very personal. Tom, this is business and this man is taking it very, very personal.”
— Santino 'Sonny' Corleone, The Godfather
Tagged: college boy, family business, Murder, Mafia
“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 months ago he took her for a drive, with another boy friend. They made her drink whiskey and then they tried to take advantage of her. She resisted. She kept her honor. So they beat her. Like an animal. When I went to the hospital her nose was broken. Her jaw was shattered, held together by wire. She couldn't even weep because of the pain. But I wept. Why did I weep? She was the light of my life. A beautiful girl. Now she will never be beautiful again. [He breaks down at this point, and the Don gestures to his son to get him a drink] Sorry... [He regains his composure and carries on] I went to the police, like a good American. These two boys were brought to trial. The judge sentenced them to three years in prison, and suspended the sentence. Suspended sentence! They went free that very day! I stood in the courtroom like a fool, and those two bastards, they smiled at me. Then I said to my wife, 'For justice, we must go to Don Corleone.'

Don Corleone: Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me first?

Bonasera: What do you want of me? Tell me anything. But do what I beg you to do.

Don Corleone: What is that? [Bonasera gets up from his seat and whispers into the Don's ear; for a long moment the Don is silent]

Don Corleone: That I cannot do.

Bonasera: I will give you anything you ask!”
— Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather
Tagged: Fortune, American Dream, Mafia, Domestic Violence
“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 the first year your end should be three, four million dollars. And then it would go up.

Don Corleone: And what is the interest for the Tattalgia family?

Sollozzo: [smiles at Tom] My compliments. [Hagen gives a formal nod]

Sollozzo: I'll take care of the Tattaglias, out of my share.

Don Corleone: So, I am to receive thirty percent for finance, for legal protection and political influence. Is that what you're telling me?

Sollozzo: That's right.

Don Corleone: Why come to me? What have I done to deserve such generosity?

Sollozzo: If you consider a million dollars in cash merely finance... [raises his glass]

Sollozzo: Te salut, Don Corleone. [the Don gets up to take a drink and sits closer to Sollozzo]

Don Corleone: I said that I would see you because I had heard that you were a serious man, to be treated with respect. But I must say no to you and let me give you my reasons. It's true I have a lot of friends in politics, but they wouldn't be so friendly if they knew my business was drugs instead of gambling which they consider a harmless vice. But drugs, that's a dirty business.

Sollozzo: No, Don Corleone...

Don Corleone: It makes no difference, it don't make any difference to me what a man does for a living, you understand. But your business is a little dangerous.

Sollozzo: If you're worried about security for your million, the Tattaglias will guarantee it.

Sonny: Whoa, now, you're telling me that the Tattaglias guarantee our investment without...?

Don Corleone: Wait a minute. [the Don gives his son a cold stare, freezing Santino into silence. The others fidget with embarrassment at this outbreak, but Sollozzo looks slyly satisfied...dismissive] I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen. Anyway, Signor Sollozzo, my no to you is final. I want to congratulate you on your new business and I'm sure you'll do very well and good luck to you. Especially since your interests don't conflict with mine. Thank you. [Sollozzo leaves] Santino, come here. What's the matter with you? I think your brain is going soft with all that comedy you are playing with that young girl. Never tell anyone outside the Family what you are thinking again. Go on.”
— Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather
Tagged: Finance, Mafia, dirty business, Conflict
“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 Michael's office]

Clemenza: Don Corleone. [Clemenza kisses Michael's hand, and Neri shuts the door in her face... ]”
— Michael Corleone, The Godfather
Tagged: Drink, Affairs, Mafia
“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 friendship. And you feared to be in my debt.

Bonasera: I didn't want to get into trouble.

Don Corleone: I understand. You found paradise in America. You had a good trade, you made a good living. The police protected you and there were courts of law. So you didn't need a friend like me. Now you come and say 'Don Corleone, give me justice.' But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me 'Godfather.' You come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married and you ask me to do murder—'for money.

Bonasera: I ask you for justice.

Don Corleone: That is not justice. Your daughter is alive.

Bonasera: Let them suffer then as she suffers. [the Don is silent] How much shall I pay you? [the Don turns away dismissively, but Bonasera stays on]

Don Corleone: Bonasera, Bonasera, what have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you'd come to me in friendship, this scum who ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by some chance an honest man like yourself made enemies they would become my enemies. And then, they would fear you.

Bonasera: Be my friend... Godfather. [the Don at first shrugs, but upon hearing the title he lifts his hand, and a humbled Bonasera kisses the ring on it]

Don Corleone: Good. [He places his hand around Bonasera in a paternal gesture]

Don Corleone: Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, consider this justice a gift on my daughter's wedding day. [a gratified Bonasera offers his thanks and leaves...to Hagen] Give this job to Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. I mean, we're not murderers, in spite of what this undertaker thinks...”
— Don Vito Corleone, The Godfather
Tagged: Coffee, trouble, Paradise, Mafia, Respect
“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, maybe we can do better.

Moe Greene: You think I'm skimmin’ off the top, Mike?

Michael: [Michael shakes his head] You're unlucky.

Moe Greene: You goddamn guineas you really make me laugh. I do you a favor and take Freddie in when you're having a bad time, and now you're gonna try and push me out!

Michael: You took Freddie in because the Corleone Family bankrolled your casino, and the Molinari Family on the Coast guaranteed his safety. Now we're talking business, let's talk business.

Moe Greene: Yeah, let's talk business, Mike. First of all, you're all done. The Corleone Family don't even have that kind of muscle anymore. The Godfather's sick, right? You're getting chased out of New York by Barzini and the other Families. What do you think is going on here? You think you can come to my hotel and take over? I talked to Barzini—'I can make a deal with him, and still keep my hotel!

Michael: Is that why you slapped my brother around in public?

Fredo: Aw, now that, that was nothin', Mike. Moe didn't mean nothin' by that. Yeah, sure he flies off the handle every once in a while, but me and him, we're good friends, right Moe?

Moe Greene: I got a business to run. I gotta kick asses sometimes to make it run right. We had a little argument, Freddy and me, so I had to straighten him out.

Michael: You straightened my brother out?

Moe Greene: He was banging cocktail waitresses two at a time! Players couldn't get a drink at the table! What's the matter with you?

Michael: I leave for New York tomorrow, think about a price.

Moe Greene: Sonofabitch! Do you know who I am? I'm Moe Greene! I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders!

Fredo: Wait a minute, Moe, Moe, I got an idea. Tom, you're the Consigliere and you can talk to the Don, you can explain...

Tom Hagen: Now hold it right there. The Don is semi-retired and Mike is in charge of the Family business now. If you have anything to say, say it to Michael.

Fredo: [Moe Greene leaves] Mike! You do not come to Las Vegas and talk to a man like Moe Greene like that!

Michael: Fredo, you're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever.”
— Michael Corleone, The Godfather
Tagged: Credit, buyouts, Mafia, casinos, Las Vegas, New York
“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 me, Michael. Please.

Michael: Well, when Johnny was first starting out, he was signed to a personal services contract with this big-band leader. And as his career got better and better, he wanted to get out of it. But the band leader wouldn't let him. Now, Johnny is my father's godson. So my father went to see this bandleader and offered him $10,000 to let Johnny go, but the bandleader said no. So the next day, my father went back, only this time with Luca Brasi. Within an hour, he had a signed release for a certified check of $1000.

Kay Adams: How did he do that?

Michael: My father made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

Kay Adams: What was that?

Michael: Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract.

Kay Adams: ...

Michael: ...That's a true story. [cut to Johnny singing again for about 10 more seconds before going back to Michael] That's my family, Kay, that's not me.”
— Michael Corleone, The Godfather
Tagged: Singers, Mafia, bribes

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