How does the Don become Vito Corleone, since he was born with a different last name, Andolini
At the beginning of GFII when young Vito Andolini from Corleone (he was wearng a paper signed pinned to his jacket with that information) stepped up to an overworked cutoms official on the Ellis Island processing center for incoming immigrants he looked the at the pinned paper and and hollered "Here he is Vito Corlone" totally missing the name Andolini in his haste to keep the long line of immigrants moving. Young Vito speaking only Italian and not really knowing what was going on just kept his mouth shut.
Once his paperwork had him listed as Vito Corleone it stuck and the name of Andolini was forgotten.
From the actual screenplay:
INT. ELLIS PROCESSING HALL - DAY
The hundreds of immigrant families sit on rows of benches in
the great hall. Various painted lines lead to the steps and
processing rooms above.
There is the babble of many interviews going on
simultaneously, uncertainly, in different languages.
Vito is bundled in an old coat, with a large tag pinned on
it: "Vitone Andolini -- Corleone, Sicilia."
He stands, moves up in the line, when several other immigrant
boys, older than he, rush up an push him back in the line.
Weak from the trip, he falls to the floor. The boys laugh,
derisive in a language he cannot understand. He struggles
to his feet, lifting his makeshift bags; staring at them in
an icy hatred.
INT. PROCESSING ROOM - DAY
Three or four interviews are crowded into the small room;
they are conducted in English. From the expression on
Vito's face, and from the fragmented of the English, we
realize that he doesn't understand a word of it.
OFFICIAL
(English)
What is your name?
The man waits, impatiently.
OFFICIAL
Your name?
Vito doesn't answer. The Official pulls the tag pinned onto
his coat and copies to down on his form, using a typewriter.
OFFICIAL
(speaking as he types)
Vito...Corleone. Step up, over
there.
He hands the form to another official.
CLOSE VIEW on the form. The name has been entered as Vito
Corleone.
-
The actual scene ended up being cut slightly different with the customs man having the single line 'Here he is Vito Corleone" in the final cut.
However the reason for the name change is clear either way.
wil.