STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — “Leave the gun, take the cannoli” — one of cinema’s most iconic lines — was filmed in New Jersey for The Godfather (1972), according to NJ.com.
The scene, where Clemenza has Paulie executed, was shot on an unmarked road in Jersey City which is now part of Liberty State Park, the publication reports.
That location has been fenced off since the 1980s due to contamination and remains inaccessible, though GPS coordinates have been documented, NJ.com said.
The image above depicts the location where a scene of the God Father was filmed in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.Bing Maps
Whether it will be preserved or marked with a plaque is unclear. This was the only scene filmed in New Jersey.
Actor Richard Castellano, who ad-libbed the cannoli line, lived in North Bergen, according to the publication. The moment perfectly captures the film’s theme of crime and family, set against the Statue of Liberty — a symbol of immigrant hope, NJ.com said.
Staten Island, however, played a major role in the movie. Many scenes were filmed there, and several actors were Staten Islanders. Gianni Russo, who portrayed Carlo Rizzo, was a Staten Island singer and actor.
Tom Siracusa, another Islander, appeared as an extra and helped connect casting director Louis DiGiaimo with his twin daughters for the christening scene.
Key Staten Island locations featured in the film included:
- The Corleone mansion at 110 Longfellow Drive in Emerson Hill was where the wedding scene was recorded over the course of four days.
Home at 110 Longfellow Ave. where the outdoor wedding scenes from “The Godfather” were filmed.
- Mount Loretto in Pleasant Plains was where the climactic christening scene was shot.
And, yes, that staircase, from the baptism scene in “The Godfather.” Ignizio says that tourists come all the time to take pictures here.Staten Island Advance
- Sunnyside campus which is now Michael J. Petrides School was used as a staging area for extras.
Dozens of Staten Islanders served as extras, including Advance/SILive.com photographer Tony Carannante. The mansion was once owned by former Borough President Joseph Palma and his family.
Fans may someday visit the Jersey City site, but for now, according to NJ.com, it remains hidden behind fences — unlike Staten Island, where The Godfather history is woven into local lore.
Many Staten Islanders had parts in “The Godfather” film. Late Staten Island Advance photographer Tony Carannante is second from left, along with the late Jack Demyan and William Gertz. The movie’s opening wedding scene was filmed at 110 Longfellow Ave. on Emerson Hill. Staten Island Advance