Reppetto, Thomas A. . American Mafia : a history of its rise to power / Thomas Reppetto. 1st ed. 0805072101 series New York : H. Holt, 2004.
Call#: Van Pelt Library HV6446 .R47 2004

 

 

In Chapter 2, Italian Gangs of New York: A Place in the Sun, of the book American Mafia, by Thomas Reppetto the author describes the growth of the Italian population in New York and how it led to the eventual growth of a mafia.

 

In the late 19^th century the number of Italians in New York City increase over tenfold. This massive increase in immigration led to the creation of small ghettos known as Little Italy. Many of the Italians that were immigrating to the United States during this time, Reppetto describes as industrious, but most often poorly educated, some even unable to read their own language. These Italians were often recruited to work even before they arrived in America and paid a meager wage for a hard day’s work. Furthermore, they were very often the subject of persecution by other ethnic groups, such as the Irish which made up a strong portion of the police force

 

These factors and living conditions caused the closely confined immigrants to fomr tight knit groups which relied on themselves internally for most things. Due to persecution and the nature of the ghettos they lived in they often fell short of adequet police protection. It was here that Scicilian gangster would find a home in which to create their illegal organization. It was here that the early families sprang up.

 

“The Godfather” shows a great number of these characterstics, especially the failings of the American dream and justice system. This motif which is prevelant throughout the movie is evident in the opening scene when Amerigo goes before Don Vito Corleone seeking justice after the American legal system had failed to protect his daughter or punish those responsible for her injuries. The understanding developed in this chapter creates a frame work for the foundation of families such as the Corleone or the Tattaglias.

 

            In this particular chapter of Reppetto’s novel, he writes about the formation of the Mafia Commission, or La Commissione, started by Charles “Lucky” Laciano in the 1930’s.  This national crime syndicate was made up of the bosses of the five major mafia families in New York, well known as The Five Families.  The commission was a way to settle disputes and conduct business without resorting to violence.  All major business affairs were handled by the commission, such as territories, political contacts, and other chief matters. 

            This historical committee is evident throughout The Godfather film.  Terms such as “The Commission” and “The Five Families” are common in numerous scenes, especially at the onslaught of the mafia war started by the attempted assassination of Don Vito.  It is easy to think that The Godfather is a non-fictitious work due to the references of so many historically prominent issues, and it is this blurred line of reality and fiction that draw so many viewers to the screen.

            The Godfather is well-known to mix fiction with history, just as Mario Puzo did in his original novel.  The character Johnny Fontane is supposedly based on real-life celebrity Frank Sinatra, who was known to have ties with the mob.  The Corleone family itself is thought to be modeled after the Genovese family of New York, which was for a long time the most powerful mafia family in America.  These social references are so identifiable to the common viewer, especially older audiences who lived through the era, that it is easy to see why so many adore the saga of The Godfather.