You are correct. Louis it was from somewhere circa 1930's (when Loui Sr. bought it) onward until its demise in late 1971/early 1972.

Before that, it was previosly an Italian restaurant owned by a woman who's great grandson is a fellow employee I met when he posted info about Louis on an employee intranet site. I subsequently E-mailed him, & he filled me in on his family history before it changed hands to Loui! Only problem is he does not know the name of the place when his g/grandmother had it!

My grandfather was friends with Loui Sr., they met in Belmont, where my grandfather lived on 187th & Lorillard Ave. My father was the same age as Loui Jr.

My father tells me as a kid, they frequented Louis once a month. My father continued the tradition taking us there years later (1960's). By that time, Loui Sr. had retired & was helping his son run the place on busy nights. I recall on occasions when my grandfather joined us, Loui Sr. would sit at our table during dessert discussing old times.

My families favorites at Louis,
Shrimp Scampi, (mom)
Lamb Shank, (dad)
Veal Parmigiana (brother)
Veal Piccata or Veal Marsala (myself)

BTW, that is Loui Jr. himself you see in the movie dressed up in a suit walking to the bar to use the cash register. That was his domain...and Loui always made Shirley Temple's for my brother & me upon sitting us at our table.

Very sadly, Loui Jr. lost the place while the "Godfather " was in the can. The subsequent owners removed the 3 neons & made it a French restaurant/cuisine named "La Forchetta"
When "The Godfather" was released, La forchetta had posters made up proclaiming the premises was "Where the Godfather was Shot".

It did nothing for business...the great food was gone, & nobody cared that a movie scene was filmed their!

La Forchetta did not even last 2 years as I recall.