Movie Music Monday – The Godfather

Vocalist Jasper Cini was born on this day in 1927. Of course, the world knew him as the great Al Martino. He had his greatest success as a singer between the early 1950s and mid-1970s, being described as “one of the great Italian American pop crooners.”

In World War II, Al served in the US Navy. He took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima, where he was wounded. He took an interest in singing after the war and got some sage advice from a family friend. That friend was Alfredo Cocozza, who was better known as Mario Lanza. It was Mario who suggested that Jasper use the name “Al Martino.”

Al would land a deal at Capitol Records, where he would have hits with “Take My Heart,” “Rachel,” “When You Were Mine,” “I Love You Because,” “Daddy’s Little Girl,” and “Spanish Eyes.” His run of chart success began to fade after the mid-1960s, despite that many of his records continued to reach the U.S. Hot 100. So, he turned to acting.

In 1972, he would play Johnny Fontane in The Godfather.

Al had been told about the character by a friend who had read Mario Puzo’s novel and felt Martino represented the character of Johnny Fontane. Martino contacted producer Albert Ruddy who initially gave him the part. When Francis Ford Coppola came on board to direct, the part was taken from him and given to Vic Damone.

Al went to Russell Bufalino, his godfather and a crime boss, who then orchestrated the publication of various news articles that claimed Coppola had been unaware of Ruddy having given Martino the part. Damone eventually dropped the role because he did not want to provoke the Bufalino family.

In the novel, Johnny Fontane plays a much bigger part than he does in the movie. It was one story line that was stripped and edited down for the film. Al didn’t seem to mind, as he would continue to play the role of Johnny Fontane in the Godfather sequels.

The movie opens with the wedding of Don Corleone’s daughter, Connie. When Johnny shows up at the wedding, he is begged to sing. The song that he sings is the beautiful, “I Have But One Heart.” Coincidentally, the song was the first song ever released by … Vic Damone.

Happy Birthday to Al Martino!