where was pentangeli during the godfather I? and at that point in time what was he? soldier? capo?

Frankie's character did not exist in GF I. His character was created for GF II because the studios could not come to contract with the actor playing Clemenza for the 2nd movie.

If Frankie did exist in GF I, it is assumed he was a boss under the Clemenza regime.

He's not mentioned in the GF because his character didnt exist. He was made up for part II because the actor who played Clemenza wanted too much money for his part.

Aparently Don Sicilia types faster then I do.

As the others said, his character really did not exist at all in GFI. But for the story's sake, I would say that he was a high ranking Soldier under Clemenza. In GFII Pentangeli has taken over since Clemenza's death, and has also taken over the compound back in New York ( remember Michael going to see him and commenting that he was very happy that the house went first to Clemenza and then Pentangeli). These events in GFII lead me to believe, again for the storyline's sake, that Pentangeli was right under Clemenza.

Don Cardi

Actually he was in GFI. He was shown as a young man at Connies wedding. He was the one that was once described as doing the "fairy dance" on the dance floor.

thanks for the info johnny! but i must say i'm not exactly sure which dance the fairy dance is, or whom your talking about as being pentangeli. i've watch the wedding sequence several times since you posted, and i still can't find it. a little help please. thanks johnny!

One thing that always kind of puzzled me about the whole Penangeli thing: Did they just take the whole Clemenza story line and GIVE it to Pentangeli? I ask because I just CANNOT imagine my avatar-sake doing what Penangeli did. ESPECIALLY offing himself the way he did.

Any thoughts on this?