That’s why Clemenza “dies” between I and II. Notice the black armband Pentangeli wears on his sleeve. Castellano wanted too much $ for the sequel and was written out.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Which was too bad. Clemenza was the most “human” character in G1, the guy I’d most like to party with (”Hey Paulie, more wine!”), with some of the most memorable, but subtle moments:
5) Teaching Michael how to “cook for a lotta guys”.
4) Teaching Michael in the basement how to take out Sollazzo and McCluskey in the restaurant(”Better yet, ya ask for permission...then you come out blastin’. Two shots in the head apiece. Then whaddya do?”)
3) “Yeah, well, think about it while you’re driving - I wanna get there sometime this MONTH”.
2) “Hello, Carlo”.
and, of course, at Number One (drum roll):
1) “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”
Although, I will say, absent Castellano himself in G2, I enjoyed Bruno Kirby’s depiction of the younger Clemenza in the early days.
Always loved that one for some reason.