Did anyone else wish Cicci had moved with Michael's organization to Nevada? I'd have loved if he had stayed on Michael's side and had a larger role in the film; Joe Spinell was an amazing character actor IMO and stole many of the scenes he was in in movies. He and Al are probably my two favorite Corleone button men. I never found Rocco interesting. Spinell probably would've had good chemistry with Pacino on a level similar to that of Richard Bright.

It would've been cool if Cicci whacked the Rosato Brothers as Rocco wiped out Roth--in a montage of killings similar to the first film.

Even if he stayed in New York with Clemenza, I wish they didn't make him into a rat, because then he could've run the Corleone New York business after the Rosato Brothers tried to clip Pentangelli and he was taken by the police.

good post. i think the reason why cicci stayed in new york was because he was clemenzas main huy and clemenza was given more freedom in new york.

Very good point, Joe. The fact is, for a guy who was really a very minor character in both films, Cicci gets an amazing amount admiring attention on this board. It's because of what you said: Joe Spinell was absolutely letter-perfect in that role.

Cicci was the only true gangster in the the Trilogy. He looked and acted the part. He reminds me so much of my brother Henry. His pompador, his speech and accent, and his swagger mark him as unique in the film.

I'm sure everybody knows this but Joe Spinell was great in the "Rocky" movies as well. "Gazzo" the loan shark sure got under Mickey's skin! I enjoyed all his performances - very entertaining. Loved the part in GFII when he tells Fredo; "That wasn't no heart attack." when they are talking with Pentangeli.

do you remember joe in "maniac"? he played a serial killer in NYC...my fav part for him was in GFI when he was getting a shave before the hit and the way he smokes and buts out his cigarette...classic! He so reminds me of my uncles and my dads friends!!!...classic mannerisms and body language