Analyzing Bobby Bacala Sr

In this episode, we will be examining Bobby Bacala Sr, played by Burt Young, by first looking at what we know about him, including a few interesting tid bits which beg the question, how high up in the mob was he, before moving on to his relationship with and thoughts about his son, Bobby Bacala Jr, which may be quite similar to the audiences, and then ending with two big questions that his character raises about his son.

[@bullywhispers9544]

Sorry, forgot to mention that the "Old man worked for him for years" comment could've meant he was under Junior as well, which would make it an indication that he was never that high.

[@HOTD108_]

Bobby Sr. killed Dickie confirmed.

[@BiggityBoggity8095]

@@HOTD108_this is what I always thought. It makes sense. Paulie was already relatively high in the movie, so he wouldn’t be doing grunt work like that. Bobby Sr. makes more sense.

[@x-1584]

​@@HOTD108_its sounds a little MIKAVELIAN to me tho!

[@Unclenedi]

Glad you put that here, it was my initial thought

[@jonathonjohnson1227]

I think Bobby Jr got by with his diplomacy and ability to get tasks done. They loan Bobby out on several tasks in the series and he does pretty ok at them for the most part. He gets by with his ability to follow orders, talk enough to get by, and not be a snitch.

[@darthstarone3532]

Once upon a time in America is one favorite movie R.I.P Burt

[@tony_dogs]

I never paid the first premium on the new cock policy!

[@BobLoblowLawFirm]

Bacala Sr taught me to always let the water run until it gets cold.

[@dr3dg352]

The more I watch The Sopranos, the more I love this episode. It could seriously be just a standalone short film about a retired hitman who goes out during one final job. Absolutely fantastic. ♥

[@JackWhitakerMusic]

Ending it with sister golden hair playing was unreal

[@DagwoodDogwoggle]

"Another Toothpick" is easily my favorite episode in the entire series. Old Man Bacala was determined to go out on his terms instead of wasting away.

[@schrisdellopoulos9244]

It's a wonderful episode, but a favorite? Dude 😮

[@CosetteFurnitureSD]

Baccala! Please! No more!

[@DagwoodDogwoggle]

@@schrisdellopoulos9244Yes, my favorite. Everyone has a niche and mine is going out like a warrior. He showed Mustang Sal what tough really was.

[@captaindowntown7851]

​@@CosetteFurnitureSD💥🔫 HAHAHAHAHA *COUGH* *COUGH*

[@Ashw1115]

That’s what I didn’t understand why Bobby and Junior acted like he was some young man who had a whole life ahead of him. He wanted to go out on his shield and died for something rather than live for nothing.

[@frniuu2061]

Burt young RIP. So many great iconic roles, my favorite is his portrayal of Paulie from Rocky 1 and 2. Scumbag but he’s integral to Rocky’s character and wonderfully acted

[@zim0zim]

I think bobby could’ve been a regular worker at the bada bing like a bar tender or security if he never chose that way of life. I feel like bobby would’ve just been content with the way things were. After being with Janice, she pushed him to move up in the ranks and get more money

[@jasoncb7]

Which was ultimately his downfall.

[@laurenpeterson9510]

Bobby sr

[@N00BTUBER987]

I’d venture Bobby jrs mother was loving and nurturing, and perhaps even more present in his life than his father

[@yajy4501]

I wish he coulda been in more of the series just cause Burt Young was such an awesome actor.

[@kevinbergin9971]

2nd question: His dad was made; he married the boss's sister; he drove the prior head of the family around and around.

[@Dominus564]

I grew up with the Rocky series. I watched every single Rocky film as a kid and most of the Creed films. RIP Burt. Paulie would sweat ya.

[@davidlewis8814]

His line from Rocky that I frequently quote, “I don’t sweat you!”

[@danieljohnson2005]

This was a great video, but I think you got one major thing wrong. It was Bobby Sr. who worked for Junior. Johnny Sack is saying “The old man (Bobby Sr.) worked for him (Junior) for many years.”

[@bullywhispers9544]

Sorry, I mention it in my pinned comment. I skipped over that part of how it could point either direction on accident. Thanks for watching!

[@BiggityBoggity8095]

@@bullywhispers9544what do you think the odds are that Bobby Sr. killed Dickie

[@aguenth4066]

Yup. I believe the highest rank was soldier in the Junior Soprano Crew. Nice video and insight overall

[@davidsmyth4184]

I know one thing for sure. He smoked those Camels since he was in short pants. R.I.P. Burt. Brilliant post. Nice 1

[@killakel410]

We do know one thing about Bobby's mother she really went downhill after 9/11.

[@tomz5704]

Quasimodo predicted all that

[@emilhuseynov6121]

@@tomz5704 who did what?

[@tomz5704]

@@emilhuseynov6121 All these problems - the Middle East, the end of the world, Hummus and Israel, you know

[@angryanakin]

@@tomz5704hummus and Israel lol

[@WisteriaNerium]

The comment Phil made abour Jersey "making everyone over there" could also refer to Bobby. The most common way to get made was to make your bones, even if not killing anyone directly then by being accessory to the murder. There have been cases of people getting made because they were really good earners... But since Bobby neither killed nor was a particularly good earner, then they made him out of respect for his old man. Which validates Phil's comments.

[@joezee0120]

to me he was most known as paulie from the rocky movies. this guy is fun to watch in whatever he's in

[@craigcavaliere6744]

I think of Old Man Bacala every time I hear Sister Golden Hair.

[@PolynesianPrince97]

RIP Mr. Bacala Sr. Sir

[@marquesjohnson6359]

Burt young was awesome as bobby sr. rip

[@djangogeek]

early gang

[@bartisreallykewl]

Bobby jr. benefited from dudes above him in juniors crew getting whacked. He’s says early on that he inherited junior and is quick to make nice with tony. After that his lack of ambition and dependability makes him an asset, and at the same time the family continues to shrink. Literally just an average guy in the right place at the right time. You could claim that him getting with Janice helped but it’s pretty unclear if tony really cared or just saw that as leverage. Tdlr bobby had a high luck stat and no reason to be in conflict with the rest of his crew.

[@franktreppiedi2208]

He was high level button man. He was called The Terminator so it seems he was a contract killer. My question is, why did they let him retire. It's not the Navy.

[@schrisdellopoulos9244]

Gteat idea for a video on Bert Young. My favorite was as Bedbug Eddie in "Pope of Greenwich Village."

[@laceyunderall22]

Holy smokes! Now that’s a movie title that surely takes me on a trip down memory lane. I need to rewatch that gem soon.

[@nicotinepoisoning]

RIP Burt Young wish he could have had more scenes. Was such a good actor when he does the hit

[@mcsquilliams7044]

83, he was just a kid

[@A_real_Ha_So]

Played Rodney Dangerfield's bodyguard in, "Back To School" Put one son through College and put the other through a wall

[@frankmurphy7234]

Haven't watched the video yet I'm just going to say that my favorite movie with him was Rocky and that I always seen Bobby r as Tony soprano's generation of Jackie Jr and I think his father had a lot to do with that

[@chaimshamza5850]

Restin peace, Burt young, regarding his role in the show, although fleeting, was as spectacular as any in the show. I believe .Bobby jnr was raised closer to the game than Anthony even if he was directed away from it. He knew about hu ting and guns and my feeling is that here and there growing up he had to physically defend himself against proper violence and had lerned to fight properly. Infact, his dad, the terminator, would have insisted his son could defend himself. Also, i feel his dad told him stories and the runnings, even as a kid. As for his career trajectory, his dad was close with uncle junior, this aforded him the opportunity to have proximity with tony and develop a rapport with him. So, it was not a case of an obvious destiny or ambition, more right time right face. Regardless of the sucker punch, we see Bobby as somebody who can take care of himself. And properly The final thing that gave him his final position ,of course, having witness in Tony's cru see him not only through down vigorously against Paulie ,a man with a reputation with his fists, but they could also see he was absolutely ready to see this through, if necessary, to the end. That and his relationship with janis that further binded him with Tony.

[@Supremmo]

I liked him as Lou in Back To School.

[@SK371]

Bobby was actually a good mafioso. At least in comparison to most of his peers. He wasnt AS dumb as Paulie, not hotheaded like Chris, not a liability like Richie and Ralphie, also he wasnt doing reckless things that might get him in trouble with the FBI and make him flip. Tony begrudgingly moved him up to underboss because he had to accept the fact that Boby would have been a better underboss than almost anyone else in his crew.

[@CosetteFurnitureSD]

He wasnt good at taking orders. I dont think we ever see him ONCE consider salads.

[@FUh_Que_-]

@@CosetteFurnitureSD To the victor, belongs the spoils

[@CosetteFurnitureSD]

@@FUh_Que_- getcha quotation book and shove it up your !!!

[@Void7.4.14]

Just because he didn't have a cushy no-show job doesn't mean he wasn't in great standing. It's possible he actually enjoyed hanging in the shop and very well may have been an owner or co-owner making all the legit ends he needed. Its a great front actually, cash business and great company with great hours. He was clearly respected and that means a lot. But it really doesn't tell us much about em or his business beyond that and that he was a hitter.

[@dc9664]

Bobby's mom was probably very selfless and loving. She was probably a great cook and insisted bobby eat seconds because he was 'a growing boy' and 'needed his vitamins'. Bobby's a mommas boy for sure. And a hard working people pleaser. That's how he got respect. He did what he said he would do. And what he was told.... low self esteem from being teased as a chubby kid.

[@MrBeanMess]

She must've been a good cook, that's where he got his love for mushrooms. Stuffed ones, a whole platter!

[@rambojohnj.6117]

Once Rocky Balboa retired, he needed extra income, so turned to the mob. He was like the f’ing Terminator.

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

Good grief he only died recently. He convinced me that he himself was close to death he was that good an actor. RIP Burt.

[@dannygandolfini4517]

bobby mainly was juniors helper, regardless of the task. his father being so close to corrado may have put him in good graces to always be there for junior and give him a steady enough position. he also may have been an average bare minimum worker but he never really caused any problems which was probably why no one minded. he was respectful and got his shit handled when needed.

[@hisdukeness3037]

Lou.. the limo driver/bodyguard/friend n the movie back to school!

[@davelopez3695]

Beside Rocky I will always remember him as Rodney Dangerfield’s right hand man in Back to School.

[@A_real_Ha_So]

I'd say Bobby Jr is who was being sent if just a message sufficed. If there's someone lagging behind in vig but don't want him clipped, I would think Bobby might be able to convince them they might want to not make such and such look like a jerk. He says to Tony that he did other stuff and came close a couple of times but he never pulled the proverbial trigger.

[@k-baye6292]

Honestly the one thing i recognised him most in was asJoe in Once upon a time in America

[@Brandon-vo2rx]

Man. I thought he died a couple of years ago. I was surprised when I heard this.

[@kaljic1]

He was great in Chinatown.

[@williamshakespeare9815]

He could have been a Jimmy Burke kind of guy. Not that high up, (Jimmy couldn't even be made), but really well respected. I think Bobby jr starts iff being looked after, but he earns Tony's respect more and more. He kos Tony (despite being drunk Tony admits he kod him fair and square), then he carries out the hit on the French guy really well. By the end he's probably the most competent guy in his crew.

[@ellossszz]

It was a fun ride, but with the ads being forced, I'll no longer watch your videos because I refuse to be forced to watch ads. Thank you for everything though, love the topics.

[@bullywhispers9544]

I dont place the ads, YT does

[@kevinbergin9971]

Recall a supporting role in China Town.

[@spookrockcity]

Rip Burt

[@Tondars]

Remember that episode of Law & Order where Jack McCoy destroys the Constitution because Burt Young cant leave them kids alone?

[@littlekingtrashmouth9219]

The ending of that episode was so f-d up

[@vader671]

Holy shit it’s a strong possibility that Bobby senior killed dickie moltisanti. Johnny sack saying he worked for junior for a lot of years plus the fact that Bobby senior was a hit man eludes to Bobby senior doing the job. He even wears the same hat in his last hit that he does in many saints.

[@bobby.m136]

You really have no basis to say that Bobby bacala Junior was going to be like aj seemed like he be a little bit more of Street Smart I guess I want to say he ain't spoiled like AJ is ty good vid🎉

[@VampireNewl]

I think Uncle Junior took Bobby Junior on as his patron probably due to his father

[@isaiahbomar7832]

I’m just happy the old man saved enough for the brain transplant Notredamus predicted his son would need.

[@PanchoRATM182]

He was just a kid…

[@chadd990]

I think Bobby's mom was loving, but probably not much of a parent. His mom was married to, or otherwise had a child with a man who killed people. Everyone part of this life is a bad person, make no mistake about it. If she was a great parent, she would've taken little Bobby far away from this life. That said, she clearly nurtured him properly, as is evident from his lack of aggression and violent tendencies. He also treats women with respect, which is likely due to his love for his mom. I want to be clear, I don't think his mom taught him respect, I actually think that Bobby learned respect on his own in an attempt to repay that love he felt. She could give him love, but she just couldn't set him on the right path in life.

[@emilhuseynov6121]

I feel like Bobby Jr was a classic case of nepotism whereby he launched his mob career on the count of his fathers notoriety. No way in hell he could have done it on his own, much less without killing anybody. Later on he learned well from being on the sidelines and earned his way to becoming an underboss.

[@augustoferre9707]

I believe Bobby's mother could be one of those moms who is really caring and loving but at the same time harsh on discipline, which we can see on Bobby's relationship with women, only to start being more independent after killing the canadian guy

[@tchrisou812]

hit man

[@jimmuscle2891]

I think he just wanted a job, and the Robot forgeddabout it...

[@MarloMaverickk]

Idk about his motha but it must be awkward seeing her grandkids being raised by Janice solo

[@MikeB-rb7nk]

I always took that Johnny Sac line meant Bobby Sr. Worked for Junior.

[@XanderShiller]

Theres no connection between Montreal and Harpo. No offense..

[@naswiipp]

Anyway.....$4 a pound.

[@Kromsmitesyou]

I always thought bobby sr worked for junior soprano. Old man could mean junior looking out for Bobby sr.

[@jamesdiamond5725]

If there’s a race that needs to be a raced

[@jamesdiamond5725]

its always jewish to me

[@Incel_81]

🪦. Shame when they go so young.