Quick. What comes to mind when you hear the word Corleone? If you said Mafia, some people in the Sicilian town think that may be part of the problem and not the solution.

Local lawyer Antonio Di Lorenzo began a signature drive on Tuesday to change the name of the hill town south of Palermo made famous by "The Godfather" books and films of the 1970s.

Corleone was made famous in the movie world by Don Vito Corleone, played at different ages by Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. But it is also the real-life birthplace of a number of Mafia bosses whose ruthless bloodletting make the film look tame by comparison.

Di Lorenzo said Corleone should revert to its earlier name, Cuor di Leone (Lion Heart), which is what it was called centuries ago. He wants an historical commission to decide.

But Corleone Mayor Nicolo Nicolosi said" "Our notoriety can help our rebirth," he added.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Lifestyle News
+Official: Push for independence risky ( 2003-11-26) +FM: Taiwan question to head Premier's US visit ( 2003-11-26) +7 Chinese killed in Moscow blaze ( 2003-11-26) +Experts look into sequela of SARS ( 2003-11-25) +US urged to be fair in trade problems ( 2003-11-25)		+Topless photos of Cameron Diaz sold ( 2003-11-26) +Corleone people attempts to cut association with 'The Godfather' ( 2003-11-26) +Concorde jet sails to new home at New York museum ( 2003-11-26) +Gun inventor Kalashnikov dreams of world peace ( 2003-11-26) +Action film star Poe announces candidacy for Philippine president ( 2003-11-26)