An East Harlem Scene from “The Godfather”: Sonny Corleone(James Caan) beats up his brother-in-law Carlo(Gianni Russo.)
Posted: July 6, 2013 Filed under: East Harlem, FYI, Italian East Harlem, Movies Filmed in East Harlem, New York City, Pleasant Avenue, Tenements | Tags: ahun 18th Street, East 118th Street, East Harlem, New York City, The Godfather Movie 7 CommentsThe Godfather Movie:Click on this link to view YouTube video- Sonny Corleone(James Caan) beats up his brother-in-law Carlo(Gianni Russo.)
In this scene from The Godfather, James Caan seeks revenge for the unmerciful beating of his pregnant sister, Connie Rizzi. He heads for East Harlem’s E. 118th Street, to brutally beat up his wife-beating brother-in-law Carlo Rizzi(played by Gianni Russo.)
The scene was filmed on the 500 block of East 118th Street. My family and I lived there before this movie was filmed. The stoop that Carlo(wearing an orange and tan suit) is standing on-before he attempts to run from crazed Sonny, is 503 East 118th Street.
Note of Trivia: Most of the principal photography took place from March 29, 1971 to August 6, 1971, although a scene with Pacino and Keaton was shot in the autumn. There were a total of 77 days of shooting, fewer than the 83 for which the production had budgeted. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfather#Production)
This particular scene was filmed in the summer of 1971.(My educated guess, based on the filming timeline, and the fact that the children are being soaked by the “johnny pump.”) 
Italian Harlem 
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You are most welcome! Being in this renowned film must have been a great experience for you, Gianni! Tell me, did James Caan physically hurt you-for real, during this film shot? It sure looks like he did. If you have anything to share about your memories of this filming, feel free!
Best wishes,
Angela
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Michael Deleonardisis is the boy in the white shorts playing at the fire hydrant and Nicky Beales is the big guy in the hat that runs up the stairs and watches the fight.
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OMG! Michael DeLeonardis is my sister’s brother-in-law and Nicki Beales was one of my husband’s best friends.
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Did James Cann ad-lib the part where he bites Carlo’s knuckles? It seemed that way!
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[…] Carlo in East Harlem (Photo by Italian Harlem) […]
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Reblogged this on Italian Harlem.
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