The kiss of death is the sign given by a mafiosoboss or capo that signifies that a member of the crime family has been marked for death, usually as a result of some perceived betrayal. How much is based on fact and how much on the imagination of authors, it remains a cultural meme and appears in literature and films. Illustrative is the scene in the film The Valachi Papers when Vito Genovese gives the kiss of death to Joe Valachi to inform him that his betrayal of "the family" is known, and that he will be executed. The "kiss" has also been used as a terror tactic to aid in extortion or debt collection by reducing victims to a state of panic where they will commit to anything to save their lives.
Origin
The exact origin is unknown, but an Italian source identifies the bacio della morte as the kiss given to the assassin delegated to "execute" a death sentence, as if to seal the solemn judgment and to wish success on the assignment. Some believe it refers to the kiss of Judas which was given to Jesus to betray him to the soldiers seeking him out. Its use goes back to at least the early 19th century in Sicily.
In life
While in prison, Vito Genovese gave Joe Valachi a kiss on the cheek, which, Valachi later testified, he believed was the "kiss of death".
1986 Il camorrista directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, Raffaele Cutolo plants one on Alfredo Canale for his apparent betrayal in telling the police where they could arrest him.
In "The Scarface Mob", pilot episode of The Untouchables, Al Capone and his senior lieutenants give the "kiss of death" to Jimmy Napoli, the man chosen to assassinate Federal Agent Elliot Ness.
In "Bart the Murderer", The Simpsons, season three, episode four, the Big Cheese gives Fat Tony the "kiss of death" after being served poorly-made Manhattans. Tony responds by saying, “The kiss of death, that’s all I need!”.
In "Mayored to the Mob", The Simpsons, season ten, episode nine, Fat Tony asks Homer to give Mayor Quimby a gift for him, being that Homer recently became the Mayor's bodyguard. The gift was a kiss. Homer believes it was a gesture of goodwill, but Mayor Quimby, upon receiving it, recognizes it as the Mob's infamous kiss of death.
In "Hell Is Other Robots," Futurama, season one, episode nine, Fry receives the kiss of death from Big Vinny while delivering a package of subpoena orders on the Mob Planet. Fry expresses his naive belief that Big Vinny was actually homosexual.
In "A Mother's Work," Sons of Anarchy, season six, episode thirteen, Jax embraces Juice and kisses him on the cheek and whispers "you betrayed me."
