The Godfather (1972) - 8 questions

Question: When Clemenza is explaining to Michael how to shoot Sollozzo and McCluskey why does he keep on telling Michael to 'drop the gun' when he's finished. Why can't he bring the gun home?

Answer: For one thing, Michael isn't going home. The plan is for him to immediately be taken to a ship headed for Sicily. Secondly, the last thing a murderer wants is to be caught with the gun he just killed someone with. Clemenza tells Michael the gun is "cold," meaning it cannot be traced to any owner. The handle had also been wrapped in a special tape to prevent fingerprints being left on it. Even if Michael had been detained by police, they could not tie the gun to him, and the Corleone family could buy off any witnesses.

Question: After Paulie is shot, Clemenza says, "Leave the gun, take the canoles." Do the two men then walk home, catch a cab, take a bus?

Answer: No. Everything was pre-arranged, and the entire trip was a ruse solely to execute Paulie for his part in setting up the hit on Don Corleone. Clemenza had Paulie drive them in Paulie's car to that specific isolated location where Rocco shot him. Another car is waiting nearby to pick up Clemenza and Rocco.

Question: In the scene from the wedding why did Luca Brasi "not expect to be invited", considering he is such a loyal comrade of Godfather?

Answer: Because Brasi was such a vicious killer that he terrified everyone. Even Don Corleone became nervous in Brasi's presence, although the Godfather was the only person who could control him. In the book, Brasi was so monstrous and inhumane that he killed a prostitute immediately after she bore his child, then forced the mid-wife who delivered the infant to throw it into a burning furnace. Terrified for her life, the woman went to Don Corleone for protection. He intervened, and kept Brasi out of prison, earning him Brasi's undying loyalty and service. Corleone invited Brasi to the wedding only as a courtesy, although he would have preferred not having him there.

Question: What's the name of the music heard when Tom Hagen first arrives to Hollywood to meet with the film Director?

Answer: It's 'Manhattan Serenade' performed by Tommy Dorsey.

Question: Just before Michael shoots Sollozzo and McCluskey, what are Michael and Sollozzo saying to each other in Italian?

Answer: Solozzo: (indicating Michael's broken jaw) I'm sorry. Michael: Are you serious? Solozzo: You must understand that what happened between me and your father was a business matter. I have great respect for your father, but your father is an old-fashioned man. He doesn't understand that I am a man of honor. Michael: Don't tell me these things. I know them. Solozzo: You know? You know, I have helped the Tattaglia family. I think, we can come to an agreement. I want peace. And let's stop all that nonsense. Michael: Do you want to play...um Solozzo: What? Michael: How do you say..? What I want, what is most important to me is that I have a guarantee.

Question: What is the name of the melody/song that is played just after Michael shoots Sollozzo and McCluskey? It is played while you see some newspapers with big headlines etc.

Answer: The mattress montage music is called "This loneliness" It is written and preformed by F.F.C's father.

Question: When Clemenza is explaining to Michael how to shoot Sollozzo and McCluskey, he says to take no chances and shoot them both twice in the head. I know he shoots McCluskey twice, but am I correct that he only shot Sollozzo once in the head? (I realize this was Michael's first murder and he was extremely antsy and nervous and may have forgotten and it doesn't really matter since Sollozzo died anyway.) I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing a shot.

Answer: He did shoot Sollozzo only once. This is explained in the book. After shooting Sollozzo, Michael instinctively knew the first shot was fatal, and he purposely ignored Clemenza's instructions.

Question: When Michael is doing his first "godfather-job" they are in a very big church/cathedral. Does anyone know what that is named.

Answer: I'm pretty sure it is Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Manhatten, NYC.