Came across this problem while writing my GF4 script. Would Tessio, in the 30s, pick up a phone and call Vito to give him some news, or would he swing by the place and give it to him in person. Both, in thier own right, seem absurd and practical at the same time.

pay phone

I believe that in the book, Vito told Michael never to speak business on the phone!


Don Cardi

but DC didn't they use payphones alot back then? (just to clarify that- I meant because of what you read don't take that as me calling you old lol)

I would imagine it would depend on the situation though, I think saying you killed someone would definitly only be in person but if its something not as serious I would imagine a payphone so that it can't be traced back to anyone.

Yes, in my post above, I should have mentioned that Vito taught Mike never to speak business on any phone that he could have been personally tied into.

Don Cardi

Thats pretty much what I was thinking. I might just cut to a quick shot of Tessio in a pay phone.

DC, I didn't find that quote in the book. Maybe you remember the part
Only thing I found is that Vito never used phones himself, he was afraid of his voice being recorded. But everyone else, Tom, Sonny, were talking business using falsely listed telephone.
DSC, Vito told Tom to check Tessio's and Clemenza's phones after the peace talk. Maybe he knew that they were less cautious than himself and could possibly talk business on the phone, at least make some meeting agreement etc.
Also, when Tessio makes contact with Barzini he phones Mike to appoint the date of their meeting. I think he would call.

Actually, he didn't tell Mike that. The narrative stated that Vito would never talk on the phone because he was afraid the FBI would tape his words then cut and paste them to have him saying something he never said.

Tessio might use the phone to convey the info to Genco who would tel it to the Don personally.

I believe that Tessio might use the phone to get ahold of Genco (not Vito directly for reasons already stated) but he would mask his words so people wouldn't be able to tell what he was referring to.