Hi,

I both read the Godfather novel and saw the movies (uncountable often ) - and I always thought about, how much of the plot is really pure fiction and how much is taken from "real life".

For instance Johnny Fontane looks for me as being based on Frank Sinatra.
Any family the Corleones are based on ? Like the Gambinos for instance.

Any interesting reactions both the movie or the book forced from the true Cosa Nostra ? I heard the legend, that the first part was viewed by some major Mafiosi in NY - and they applauded. Any pressure the producers/actors/directors felt from the Mafia side while producing the movie ?

Thx for any further info

Welcome to the boards, Albert Neri.

There have been many discussions on the real life counterparts to "Godfather" characters. You can view some of these discussions by doing a search (type in "real life" in the search box under the "Trilogy" section).

One of the "models" (from real life) that I've never seen mentioned before here on the boards is the death surrounding Joe Magliocco, the boss of the Profaci/Colombo Family. Joe Magliocco died of a heart attack in December, 1963, in a West Islip, NY hospital. The Suffolk County Deputy Medical Examiner certified it a heart attack. Ten days later the body was exumed because two wiseguys talked about Magliocco being poisoned by rival Joe Bonanno (in an FBI taped conversation). The story is reminiscient of Clemenza dying in Part II.

Mario Puzo has said that he drew on only two scenes from his own experience in writing “The Godfather”: guns being passed between apartment windows, and a widow evicted because of a dog. But many of the characters in both the book and the Trilogy are drawn from real life:
Close Fit:
Johnny Fontane = Frank Sinatra: Washed-up, teen-idol crooner with fealty to the Mob; role in war movie puts him back on top; sluttish, movie-star ex-wife.
Hyman Roth = Meyer Lansky: Jewish adviser to Mafia; “always makes money for his partners”; tight with president of Cuba; started out as a truck mechanic and got connected during Prohibition; fled to Israel and South America to escape Justice Dept.
Moe Green = Bugsy Siegel: Pal of Jewish adviser to Mob; “headstrong, talking loud, saying stupid things”; “city he invented was Las Vegas”; “someone put a bullet in his eye.”
Johnny Ola = Vincent (Jimmy Blue Eyes) Alo: “Sicilian messenger boy” to Lansky [N.B.: Name is an anagram.]
Joey Zasa = Joe Columbo/John Gotti: Meucci Society = Italian-American Civil Rights League; “Best-Dressed Mobster”; publicity hound; shot at Italian-American event.
Rosato Brothers = Gallo Brothers: Renegade faction in Mob family declares war on Don (Joe Profaci); Joey Gallo recruited blacks and Hispanics while in jail; “leave the gambling for last.” [N.B.: Eldest brother Larry was garroted in the back of Brooklyn’s Sahara Lounge after-hours in 1960 and was saved by a NYC cop who happened by—the basis of the Frank Pentangeli-Rosato Brothers scene, but with roles reversed.]
Stretch Fit:
Vito Corleone = Frank Costello: Most powerful of Five Families; “had all the judges in New York in his pocket”; primary business was gambling and unions; retired after being shot by rival mobster. [N.B.: Some fans believe Lucky Luciano was the model because he arranged for the death of Joe “The Boss” Masseria at a restaurant (in the book, Vito Corleone arranged for the death of “Maranzalla” at a restaurant). But Luciano dealt in prostitution and drugs, was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in jail, and was deported. Vito Corleone deplored prostitution and drugs, and never went to jail.]
Emilio Barzini = Vito Genovese: Tried to kill rival to become Capo di Tutti Capi; attempted to make move on drugs at gangster convention (Apalachin). But: Genovese died in jail; Barzini was killed.
Frankie Pentangeli = Joe Magliocco: Weak successor to strong Don (Profaci); beleaguered by rival faction (see Rosato Brothers/Gallo Brothers); attempt to move against stronger Don backfires. But: Magliocco died of a heart attack, Pentangeli turned state’s evidence and killed himself.
Peter Clemenza = Frank Labruzzo (Bonanno Family): Top capo to Don (Bonanno) stayed loyal to son of Don (Bill Bonanno) during gang war; philosophical bent. But: Labruzzo died of cancer before being permitted to form own family. [N.B.: Richard Castellano played Labruzzo in the TV movie, “Honor Thy Father.”]
Sal Tessio = Gaspar Di Gregorio (Bonanno Family): Top capo to Don (Bonanno) betrayed Don and son by siding with rival Don (Stefano Maggaddino) in return for being named head of his own family. But: Di Gregorio died of heart attack; Tessio was taken for a ride by Willie Cicci.
Fredo Corleone = Thomas Gambino: Weak son of Capo di Tutti Capi is passed over, given “legit” businesses to run. But: Garment Center trucking is not a “Mickey Mouse nightclub”; Fredo was killed after betrying his brother; Tommy is still alive.
Luca Brasi = Willie Moretti: Legendary strong-armer; “can do a job of murder all by himself”; “most valued friend” of Joe Bonanno and other Mob bosses; killed by the Mob (probably Vito Genovese). But: Moretti was killed by agreement among several Dons because his tertiary syphilis was causing him to become loose-lipped.
No Fit:
Michael Corleone. No son ever succeeded his father as Don, much less surpassed his father. But: Salvatore (Bill) Bonanno was being groomed as his father’s successor until the “Banana Wars” caused his father’s retirement and Bill’s imprisonment on credit card fraud charges. Also: John Gotti designated his son as Don, but Junior wasn’t even able to run a phone-card scam successfully, was not accepted by many factions in the Family, and is now serving a long jail sentence.
Tom Hagen. No non-Italian has ever served, officially, as a Family’s consigliere. But: Meyer Lansky was unofficial consigliere to all the Five Families and several out-of-town mobs; Jake Guzik served as Al Capone’s mentor and business manager.

If you watch Puzo's autobiograghy, it reveals that some of the stuff, especially from number two actually happenned to his family. A man actually did ask his dad to hold a bag of guns for him.