Question: I see this as an (unavoidable) mistake, but during Vito's path across the rooftops prior to killing Fanucci, the buildings, bricks, and chimneys are obviously old (brick wear, missing mortar, patches). When, if the scene took place at that time, most of the rowhouses in NYC would have been built circa 1890-1920, so they would have been essentially brand new. Does that seem accurate?
Answer: I just spot-checked real estate in the filming location (per web sources, Little Italy in NYC). Similar to my old Italian neighbourhood in Philly, the houses I checked were built in 1905, 1905, and 1910 (the exteriors are similar, like my 1917 Philly row house). So I think the obvious age of the buildings in the movie was an unavoidable inconsistency.
Answer: I would say not entirely accurate. New York tenement buildings were built as early as the 1820s, but the majority in the mid-to-late 1800s, so many were fairly old during this scene's timeframe. There are numerous other factors related to that era, including poor maintenance, inferior building materials, shoddy construction practices, lax government regulation, inspections, oversight, etc. All would contribute to the tenements' poor condition.
Question: How did Michael know it was Roth behind the attempt on his life, not Frank Pentangeli?
Answer: Michael always suspected Roth, though he didn't have proof, and then believed it was Pentangeli. Michael learned that Fredo was involved in the assassination plot on his life. Fredo confessed that he was helping Roth, expecting some compensation in return, though he did not know there would be an attempt to kill Michael.
Answer: He didn't know for sure it was Ross until he went to Cuba and asked about the order on Pentangeli. Roth gave the speech about Moe Green starting Las Vegas, someone had him killed and he didn't ask. What he said to Michael told him why he wanted him killed, plus he knew Ross had ordered the hit on Pentangelli, plus he heard his brother slip up at the club earlier that he had been there before with the other guy that Michael knows is against him. That's when Michael kew his brother betrayed him - when he slipped up in the club. So Michael found out everything on New Year's Eve in Cuba.
Answer: As I recall, this scene was shortly after Mama Corleone died. Connie would still be mourning and wearing black. The other woman is not Kay's mother, but probably a random Corleone relative. Connie is grieving her mother, but also is saddened by Michael's cruelty toward Kay and at seeing Kay's emotional secret visit with her children. Michael had prevented Kay from seeing them.
raywest ★