The Lovablest Mafia Family in the World (1972)
Created and Written by Spencer Green
Rating: **********
Summary
Epic, Asylum Award-winning saga based on Primo Satariano's best-selling novel of the Palermo crime family moving into the modern age, youngest son taking over and suggesting that killing enemies might be more effective than closing their eyes and wishing they would go away. Followed by The Lovablest Mafia Family in the World Now and Forever (1974).
Director
Cast
- Hugo Swann (Don Palermo)
- Frank Legato (Anthony Palermo)
- Elston Sendek (James Killick)
- Bill Lavrin (Larry Matz)
Didja Know?
- To convince studio executives that he was right for the part of Don Palermo, actor Hugo Swann made a screen test in which he put lipstick and a small wig on his left hand and did a delightful "S'alright? S'alright" routine.
- This is one of those movies that, when it's on TV and you happen to come in after it's started, you have to watch the whole thing. Oh, you say, "I'm just going to watch this scene" or "I'm going to watch ten minutes and then get back to whatever it is I'm doing," but you never do. You watch the whole thing. Don't deny it. Scientists have reported that the average American has lost approximately 75 to 80 hours of his or her life watching some or all of The Lovablest Mafia Family in the World, so there's no shame. Fess up and free yourself!
- After protests from The Italian-American Highly Profitable Stereotype League, the word "Mafia" was originally replaced in some early prints of the film with "Super Fluffy Bunnies."
- The word "Mafia" actually means "there is no Mafia."
Famous Quotes
Don Palermo: I'm going to convince him of the error in his ways, using the threat of violence and/or murder.
(in restaurant)
Anthony Palermo: I need assurance that no one will attempt to kill my father again.
Bettini: Anthony--I give you my word as boss of an unspecified crime organization and as the man who unsuccessfully attempted to kill your father earlier that I will try not to kill your father again unless, of course, it's advantageous for my family's business.
Anthony Palermo: What a relief! Now, what's good to eat here?
Bettini: Try the lamb kebabs.
(in funeral home)
Don Palermo: I need you to use all of the tools at your disposal and fix the damage they did to my son.
Mortician: That's gonna cost $1000.
Don Palermo: Okay, then just concentrate on the left side of his face.
(in Los Angeles)
Larry Matz: You tell your boss that I don't care how many garlic breath, ginzo, meatball, guido, nethead, spaghetti vendors he sends!
James Killick: "Nethead" is more of a Hispanic slur.
Larry Matz: What? Italians can't wear nets on their heads?
James Killick: I'm just sayin'.
Critical Views
"An excellent motion picture, with salient parallels between the morals and actions of the crime syndicate and our own too fallible government." - Paulie "The Film Connoisseur" Fratagiovese
