Why was Vincent featured so prominantly in GODFATHER, PART II? Where were Sonny's other kids? Didn't he have at least one legitimate son? How about Tom's kids? Didn't any of the mgrow up and help out in the family business?

The only reason I figure they used Vincent is because it added plot drama of romancing cousins to tie in to the opera at the end of the movie.

If you remember Tom Hagen's son (Andrew) was featured as a priest in GF III who was appointed into the Vatican around the time Don Corelone was getting involved with Arch Bishop Gilday and Immobilliare.

The rest I presume DID NOT want to help out in the family business which then explains their absence. The film was about the family business!

It's been said that at various times, FFC and Puzo considered script treatments that would have had Anthony in the business, but evidently they rejected that approach as lacking credibility. Sonny's sons might have been successors, but they were essentially unknowns. I suppose they chose the Vincent character because he was illegitimate, but a family member nonetheless. Hence, give a break to someone to whom the family has an "obligation" and perpetuate the family, as in Michael saying, "Nephew, call yourself Vincent Corleone," and Vincent kisses his hand. and, as a favorite of Connie's, she got a more assertive role.
The romance of cousins has no tieback to the opera, "Cavalleria Rusticana." What does tie in is the theme of vengeance in Sicily. Also, note that Vincent threw down his challenge to Zasa early in the film by biting his ear--as does the "Cavalleria" character Turriddu to the character Alfio (we see this in the film, and Vincent grins knowingly).

Sonny's family was moved down to Florida or something like that, and Sandra probably didnt want her kids talking to the family. As for the topic-Why Vincent in Godfather Part III? it was because Bob was taken.

I remember reading somewhere (may have been on these boards or on another site ) that Sonny's legitimate son, I think his name is Frank, was supposedly going to school in Florida, an all pro high school or college football player. His two daughters do appear in GFII at the communion, and get even more exposure in a deleted scene when one of them asks Michaels permission to marry.


Don Cardi

I think FFC chose to make the character of Vincent an illegitimate son for dramatic effect to make a point about Vincent's character.

Remember when Zasa is in the meeting with Michael and Vincent, Zasa turns to Michael and tells him that all bastards (illegitimate children)are liars, and that Shakespeare used to write about that kind of thing. In tradtional drama and literature, "bastards" were always portrayed as hot-blooded, cunning and often evil characters. This harps back to the ancient idea that the manner of your conception determines your adult character (ie, an illicit yet passionate affair would produce a person with a hot temperment).

So I think FFC used this traditional dramatic device and coupled it with the fact that Sonny's temper would have passed on to his son, to create the character of Vincent.

What Turnbull said is also true - Michael may have felt an obligation towards Vincent and this would be emphasised by his being illegitimate, he has been hard done by and has been partially isolated from the rest of his family.

Vincent was prominent because he carries the theme of the movie, unholy, illegittimate or broken unions... cousins... bastard sons.. the mafia and the vatican... mike and kate etc

Probably all of Sonny's kids grew up like him and Tom's kids were raised without violence