Black Eye Specialist

[heybatter]

I was just watching The Godfather Part II(again) and something caught my eye this time in the scene where young Vito convinces the landlord to let the old Italian lady stay in her apartment("the dog stays"). As they stand outside the barbershop, there is a sign that says 'Black Eye Specialist' in the window.

It seems that barbershops back then also offered this service to men to cover the results of their drunken escapades from the night before, so they could look their best at their job(or looking for work) then next day.

 

[August West]

I have heard of The Black Hand.

 

[Toothpick]

They really had an eye for detail in that movie.

 

[BSAGuy]

That's very interesting set dressing and very observant of you, heybatter. I wonder what the treatment was/is.

 

[oc_in_fw]

What bothered me was how long Michael had that black eye. I mean he got hit by the cop, am-scrayed to Italy, woo'ed a girl, finally married her, and still has a bit of a black eye.

 

[Gig103]

What bothered me was how long Michael had that black eye. I mean he got hit by the cop, am-scrayed to Italy, woo'ed a girl, finally married her, and still has a bit of a black eye.

I don't recall the eye being darkened/swollen but he did keep using that handkerchief - the novel noted that he didn't get medical attention for the broken nose and it didn't heal right.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I don't recall the eye being darkened/swollen but he did keep using that handkerchief - the novel noted that he didn't get medical attention for the broken nose and it didn't heal right.

I recall it still being black, and remember the hankerchief. I didn't read the novel, but just picked up The Family Corleone, the pre-quel to the Godfather. If it is a good read I will then read the Godfather

 

[patten1969]

GIYF. Legitimate or not, this is what I found when I googled 'Black Eye Specialist'

Black Eye SpecialistBack when day workers were king around shipping docks and construction sites, tattoo parlors and barbershops offered the service of making black eyes look natural. Each morning men looking for day work would gather around the work site. The bosses would stand on cartons to get a good look at all the men and select workers for that day’s assignment. If a worker showed up with a black eye, the bosses often passed them over for fear that they would be troublemakers. The barber and tattooist would try to make that shiner look better.​

 

[MicBaldy]

I don't recall the eye being darkened/swollen but he did keep using that handkerchief - the novel noted that he didn't get medical attention for the broken nose and it didn't heal right.

It was his jaw that was broken and he never received medical attention. When he got back to the US, the doctors had to break his jaw again and set it back properly.

 

[ouch]

I thought this was another Chuck Norris thread.

 

[Gig103]

It was his jaw that was broken and he never received medical attention. When he got back to the US, the doctors had to break his jaw again and set it back properly.

Thanks for the correction, it's been a while since I read it.

 

[daveinsweethome]

thanks

 

[Doc4]

GIYF. Legitimate or not, this is what I found when I googled 'Black Eye Specialist'

Black Eye SpecialistBack when day workers were king around shipping docks and construction sites, tattoo parlors and barbershops offered the service of making black eyes look natural. Each morning men looking for day work would gather around the work site. The bosses would stand on cartons to get a good look at all the men and select workers for that day’s assignment. If a worker showed up with a black eye, the bosses often passed them over for fear that they would be troublemakers. The barber and tattooist would try to make that shiner look better.​

Actually, it is all part of the barbers' business model of not asking for money until after the haircut is done. Sure, you can walk out without paying, complaining about a bad haircut, but ... I'd not recommend it if your barber is a black eye specialist.

 

[oc_in_fw]

It was his jaw that was broken and he never received medical attention. When he got back to the US, the doctors had to break his jaw again and set it back properly.

Thanks for the clarification. I will pay more attention the next time it is on.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I thought this was another Chuck Norris thread.

I thought it was another ouch thread.

 

[patten1969]

Actually, it is all part of the barbers' business model of not asking for money until after the haircut is done. Sure, you can walk out without paying, complaining about a bad haircut, but ... I'd not recommend it if your barber is a black eye specialist.

I like that business model a lot.

 

[MicBaldy]

Thanks for the clarification. I will pay more attention the next time it is on.

It's never outright stated in the movie. It just shows him with a swollen face and he's usually talking through clenched teeth. The book goes into more detail.

 

[oc_in_fw]

It's never outright stated in the movie. It just shows him with a swollen face and he's usually talking through clenched teeth. The book goes into more detail.

I have never read Puzo- how is the book? I just picked up a hardcover version of The Family Corleone, which is a prequel to the Godfather series. It was $3, so I had to grab it.

 

[MicBaldy]

I have never read Puzo- how is the book? I just picked up a hardcover version of The Family Corleone, which is a prequel to the Godfather series. It was $3, so I had to grab it.

If you like the movie, you'll like the book. The screenplay is a very close adaptation of the book. The book does go more in depth about some of the characters and you get more insight into their thoughts.

 

[oc_in_fw]

If you like the movie, you'll like the book. The screenplay is a very close adaptation of the book. The book does go more in depth about some of the characters and you get more insight into their thoughts.

That sounds about right when it comes to movies from books. Much more detail in the book.