I know this may seem like a silly question, but when Michael knows he must go to Cuba to see Hyman Roth, who makes his travel arrangements? After the assassination attempt, he immediately leaves the compound.

From history, mob guys keep track on the moves their enemies are making. Isn't this how Vito trapped Al Capone's men (novel) and was able to ambush them? So how is it that Michael boards a TRAIN with one bodyguard (unknown at that) and seems relatively safe?

I ask because in GF1 Vito and Mike make these meticulous plans in order to whack the heads of the families, and it seems that Michael either had his plans made already or that he accomplished his travel easily, and most immportantly, confidentially. How does one with that much clout get around unnoticed?

Also, same above for the Cessna, when he leaves to come back to the U.S.

Not a bad question at all. In some other thread I questioned how easily Tom Hagen got a flight to LA on short notice.

In Michael's case, the family likely had connections with the railroads, airlines, etc., and could make arrangements for travel on a moment's notice. As for taking the train, Michael was in Tahoe, but he had to go to Miami to see Roth and then make his surrise visit to Pentangeli, and then go to Cuba.

My best guess is that he traveled from Tahoe overland to the nearest plac where he could catch a train to Miami. Roth was told Michael was on the way because he was met by Johnny Ola, and the visit to Roth's house was not supposed to be a surprise. As for the bodyguard, IMHO Michael already suspected Roth, and he needed someone who would protect him AND kill enemies in Cuba, as he did (or in Roth's case tried).
Since Roth had already failed in his effort to kill Mike, he would not have tried again knowing Mike was on his way to Miami. Back then he could probably have traveled by rail using an assumed name.

I think he took the train more to keep Pentangeli off his trail so he could make the surprise visit.

Always keeping his enemies closer, Michael visits Roth to misdirect him into thinking Michael believed Pentangeli tried to kill him, and clearing this with Roth in advance, presumably to keep the Rosatos from taking over the olive oil business while the Corleones cleaned house.

Once this was done, Mike goes to NY to tell Pentangeli to go along with the Rosatos, and to help him take his revenge against Roth.

Then its on to Cuba, for a meeting everyone knows about.

Roth definitely had spies, however because he was keenly aware of when the 2 million reached Havana (the spy probably being Fredo).

Good questions, Louren.
Michael left Tahoe immediately for his family's safety. He was almost certain that Roth was behind the failed attack. Roth was ruthless enough to have his bedroom machine-gunned, even if that meant that Kay and/or the kids would be killed, too. And, because Roth had someone inside the compound helping him, he'd try again, just as ruthlessly. But, as long as Roth believed that Michael didn't suspect him--and, more important, that he could get the $2 million from him--Michael would be able to buy time to figure out who the traitor was.

I think that Michael could have flown via commuter plane from Tahoe to Vegas, where he could have gotten a commercial airliner to Miami. Going by train, IMO, was directorial license--time to give us a good look at the bodyguard, and to see Michael swallowing a pill (I bet it was Miltown, the tranquilizer of choice in the late '50's). Flying would have been safer than traveling by train.

Yes, ordinarily gangsters in fear for their lives wouldn't let their plans be known. But, since Michael was sure Roth wouldn't try again until he got the $2 million, it'd be in Michael's interest to let Roth know he was coming--that way, Roth would be relaxed, thinking that their deal was still on, and that Michael suspected Pentangeli, which is just how Roth set it up in Tahoe.

As for the plane in Cuba: My guess is that as soon as Michael figured that Roth was going to have him assassinated on his way back from the Presidential New Year's Eve party, he called Tom and had him arrange the charter plane to be standing by. Or, Michael could have arranged it himself. Not a big deal.

Makes you wonder why Roth would break the "leave families out of it" code with that hit attempt on the compound, though. Although we know from GF I that gomarres were OK

Yes, the hooker in bed with Tattaglia was a "civilan." And I doubt that the elevator operator would have survived Clemenza's two blasts with the shotgun.

I wonder how they all got to Sicily in GFIII? Chartered plane?

How did Clemenza know what floor to go to anyway??

Because it was probably the floor where Stracci's office was.

Poor writing .

FFC told him.

Better yet, can you imagine a 300+ lb. guy jogging up all those steps and arriving just as the elevator door opens to reveal his victims? Talk about kismet!

It's a little known fact but after one too many "fatty" jokes from Tessio and smirks from Tom and Mike, Clemenza had started his P90X program. It was a happy coincidence that on the day of the hit he was able to combine his lower leg plyometric workout with his normal work routine...

Not to mention that Clemenza was also supposedly in his sixties by then.

The hooker they killed to blackmail Geary was a civilian too. Maybe hookers don't count as collateral damage.

If you'd kill your own brother, Madonne, can you imagine how worthless you consider a hooker's life?

Better yet, Castellano had to do it about 30 times. At least, that's what his widow Ardell wrote in her book. After the scene was finished, he was complete wet, and his face pale.

Just found out Clemenza was the nephew of Paul Castellano. Sure, Big Paul was a poor boss. But that's pretty special. Paul must have been proud. Real gangsters really do have respect for the trilogy. Remember when Meyer Lansky phoned Lee Strasberg?

And in the The Godfather, I think hookers are seen as pawns in the prostitution racket. Just like as a gangster, you "sign up" to get whacked if you're out of line, as a hooker, you sign up to be viewed as a worthless person. Haha.

While killing your own brother seems horrific on the face of it, remember that this brother had himself done something that almost got Michael killed. Michael's killing of Fredo was hardly unprovoked.

In Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven," Little Bill Daggett (a sheriff played by Gene Hackman) hardly seems to consider prostitutes very important either. Although male machismo plays a role, I think there's also a belief that if these prostitutes have so little respect for themselves (I realize that women sometimes have different motivations for going into prostitution, but nevertheless that's the perception, and not without justification), why should anyone else respect and value them either?

Priceline?

When Connie wanted to book passage on "The Queen," Michael suggested she see a travel agent. Somehow I don't think he used one for himself.

As the novel states, Tom secured priority passage due to a grateful Pentagon officer.