Originally posted by DonMichaelCorleone:
... In the movie itself, That was the only thing Sonny did as Don. He became Don and 2 minutes later he is dead...
Not exactly.
Sonny became acting Don the moment his father was shot. First thing he did was order the hit on Paulie for 'sellin' out the old man'. Second thing he did was order the hit on Bruno Tatagllia (after getting mad at what happened at the hospital). Third thing he did was to ok allow Michael's killing of Sollozzo & McClusky - which could not have happened without his permission. Fourth thing he does is send Fredo to Vegas to learn the casino business and get a rest. Fifth thing he does is beat the crap out of Carlo for beating up his sister.
Weeks, maybe even months passed before Sonny is finally put down; as we are made aware by the synopsis of newspaper headlines ending with the one announcing Vito's release from the hospital. Sonny did plenty as Don during that time (even if it was to just order hit after hit after hit).
As Vito later says, Sonny never could've been outfought by Tattaglia.
Sonny was quite active during his reign as acting Don.
Apple