Al Lettieri credited as playing...
Sollozzo
- 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...]
- Don Corleone: [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]
- Don Corleone: Santino, come here.
- Don Corleone: 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.
- [Tom Hagen goes Christmas shopping, and meets Sollozzo]
- Sollozzo: I want to talk to you.
- Tom Hagen: [stepping aside] I haven't got time...
- Sollozzo: Make time, Consigliore!
- [Hagen finds himself trapped between Sollozzo and a hood]
- Sollozzo: What are you worried about? If I wanted to kill you you'd be dead already. Get in.
- [a car drives up]
- Sollozzo: [to Michael, in Sicilian] I am sorry. What happened to your father was business. I have much respect for your father. But your father, his thinking is old-fashioned. You must understand why I had to do that. Now let's work through where we go from here.
- [Michael tries speaking in Sicilian, but can't express himself properly, so with a quick look at McCluskey they both switch to English]
- Michael: What I want... what's most important to me is that I have a guarantee: no more attempts on my father's life.
- Sollozzo: What guarantees could I give you, Mike? I'm the hunted one. I've missed my chance. You think too much of me, kid. I am not that clever. All I want is a truce.
- Michael: I have to go to the bathroom. Is that all right?
- Capt. McCluskey: You gotta go, you gotta go.
- [Michael gets up, but a suspicious Sollozzo probes Michael's crotch, to Michael's offense]
- Capt. McCluskey: I frisked him. He's clean.
- Sollozzo: Don't take too long...
- [Michael heads to the bathroom]
- Capt. McCluskey: [to Sollozzo] I frisked a thousand young punks.
- Sollozzo: I'm glad you came, Mike. I hope we can straighten everything out. I mean, this is terrible... it's not the way I wanted things to go at all. It should've never happened.
- Michael: We'll straighten everything out tonight. I don't want my father bothered anymore.
- Sollozzo: He won't be, Mike. I swear on my children he won't be. But you gotta keep an open mind when we talk. I mean, I hope you're not a hothead like your brother Sonny. You can't talk business with him.
- Capt. McCluskey: Ahh, he's a good kid. I'm sorry about the other night, Mike.
- [Shakes Michael's hand]
- Capt. McCluskey: I gotta frisk you, so turn around, on your knees facing me.
- [Michael turns around, McCluskey frisks him]
- Capt. McCluskey: I guess I'm getting too old for my job. Too grouchy... can't stand the aggravation. You know how it is.
- [to Sollozzo]
- Capt. McCluskey: He's clean.
- Capt. McCluskey: How's the Italian food in this restaurant?
- Sollozzo: Good. Try the veal, it's the best in the city.
- Capt. McCluskey: I'll have it.