I was listening to Fox Sports on the radio this morning and they went off-topic. The host and producer were debating about who actually said "It's a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes." Remember that the viewer never sees the line being spoken.

Whether it was planned or not, Abe Vigoda called in and stated that it was Tessio's line. I have a difficult time believing that it was Tessio, but why would Abe Vigoda take credit for a line that wasn't his? I always thought it sounded more like Clemenza. The transcript on this website credits Clemenza. I just think the sound has the trademark of Clemenza's nasal, New York accent.

You must have been listening to Tony Bruno, they play that all the time. It sounds to me like Clemenza says: "It's a Sicilian message." and Tessio says: "It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes."

Yes, it was Tony Bruno. I guess it must have been a "Best of" re-run. And I hadn't thought that it could be both Clemenza & Tessio saying each line.

I thought it was all Clemenza?

I always saw it as being Tessio, but in the original screenplay, Tom was suppose to say it. And when was this? Because doesn't Abe Vigoda have alztiemers or something?

I don't know how old the interview I heard is, but I think that Abe is still alive. According to AbeVigoda.com , he is alive.

In the novel Tom says it.

In the novel, Mike asks what it is and Tom, the Irishman, answers,as a way to show how removed from the family business Mike actually is.

All this insight into the novel is interesting...but the initial post was with respect to the film.

Why Abe Vigoda would call a radio station & claim it was Tessio's line, I don't know either, perhaps it was a gag....for it is Clemenza's voice we hear saying it.

Apple

Like always, I agree with Apple...it is definitely the distinct accent of Richard Castellano saying that classic line.

I always assumed it was Tessio, seeing as it was Tessio who brought the fish in. Granted, that doesn't mean Clemenza couldn't have said it. But Tessio and Clemenza both had gravely voices. I'm saying it was Tessio, although I could be wrong. Maybe someone should ask Francis, lol.

It was Clemenza. It sounds nothing like Tessio at all

This post rivals the one some time ago, as to who opened the door in Genco Olive Oil company in GF II LOL. I can't believe someone hasn't pulled out their GF DVD and come up with the definitive answer

Actually, when I first read this, I was right about at that part in the Godfather as I was watching it, but I guess I just forgot to post. I am pretty sure it was Tessio who said that.

According to J Geoff's transcript of The Godfather, it was Clemenza. It very well could have been Clemenza who said it, but I still think it was Tessio.

After reading this thread, i've had the scene on repeat for the last half hour.....it's definitely clemenza for both lines.

I always thought it was tessio as well. i guess that we are psychologically biased into believing that it is tessio as he is seen bringing in the package immediately before the camera cuts to the fish.as people have said, both of their voices are quite gravelly.

Now that's dedication! I love knowing people as hooked as I am

So Vigoda was telling a lie?

well i've had nothing better to do today!

[/QUOTE]So Vigoda was telling a lie?[/QUOTE]

well either that or he was doing a great clemenza accent.
i always thought it was tessio as well, but after repeated listening today (oh my god i need to get a life!), i really can't say that it is him.

Yup, definitely Clemenza. Definitely sounded like him.

remember vigoda is getting on a bit, and castellano is not around to claim the line for himself.

in fact how do we know that it was vigoda himself that phoned in....could have been an imposter.

I'm with capoditutticapi, too skeptical to believe it was the real Abe Vigoda phoned in. Or if it was he's going a little crackers. Tessio brings the fish in, Clemenza says the line. Well that's what I've always believed. I could do with checking out the scene again because I haven't seen it for a good while but I don't think my opinion will change.

I just realised this is exactly a year old thread and I never noticed it the first time round.

Well, whoever said it, it is a great quote.

Funny thing is, that in the book, it's Tom Hagen who says the line.


Don Cardi

And isn't the line in the book something like "Luca Brasi sleeps at the bottom of the ocean"??

Yes it is.


Don Cardi

How strange...

isnt it??

I've always thought that Salvatore Tessio said "It's a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes."

I've always thought that Salvatore Tessio said "It's a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.".