After Frenchie gets released by Nick Cage, he goes back to his boss, Bob Hoskins breaks his watch and immediately gives him a new one. What was that about, some kind of way of asking his boss how much he paid the ransom? Couldn't he just have asked?
shareFrenchy was showing his boss Owney Madden appreciation for Madden paying so much money for his release because it showed that Madden really cared for his safety. Watch the scene again and notice that Frenchy breaks the watch and says he only paid 500 dollars. Madden gets mad and says he paid 50 grand, 50,000 dollars. Frenchy then gives him a more expensive platinum watch. Bottom line is Frenchy knew the amount. Bought him a more expensive watch. Put on a little show to give him the new watch.
shareI read that the watch scene was written by Fred Gwynne, who played Frenchy. Gwynne was a professional writer having written children's books. Anyway, this was a troubled production with various writers submitting scenes. During the editing of the film director Coppola wanted to eliminate the scene but co-writer William Kennedy talked him out of it. He thought it was the best scene in the picture.
This was a true event. 'Big Frenchy' DeMange was a partner of Owny Madden. He was kidnapped by Vincent 'Mad Dog' Coll and held for ransom. Madden paid but Coll didn't live much longer.