Why did the Don let Fredo join the "olive oil" business in the first place? If it was readily apparent to Vito that Fredo wasn't quite cut out to be a ruthless or cunning mobster, why not have him only be involved in less risky, more legal facets of Vito's empire?

The Don was judicious enough to refuse to let Nino get involved in Family business, knowing he wasn't that kind of person.

I think there's somewhere in the book where it states that Fredo, like Sonny, insisted on joining right after high school. But Sonny had many of the skills and temperament; Fredo did not, imo.

What do people think?

He was "born" into it.

The novel had described Fredo as being tougher than he was portrayed in Part I. In addition, Part II had portrayed Fredo as being even weaker and more simple-minded, and that was not intentionally to be (but was done for the sake of the sequel).

Its a question that can't be sensibly answered since too many other factors came into molding Fredo's character after Puzo originally wrote the novel. (Based solely on the novel, though, it wasn't a bad idea to have Fredo in the business).

As SC said, Fredo was born into it. And Puzo describes Fredo at the beginning of the novel as loyal, dutiful, "a great help to his father...though he was not expected to succeed him" (or something to that effect).

Yes, he is described as the kind of dutiful and loyal son that most Italians pray for. Lacking in force or smarts, but still useful to Vito in his business.

I dunno. I just think Fredo would have been better served running one of the Don's legit or semi-legit businesses instead of being involved, however peripherally, in anything more critical and/or dangerous.

He doesn't have the killer instinct of his brothers or the smarts of his brother Mike. He is not suspicious enough to recognize a problem when Paulie constantly calls in sick. He can't defend his father. He has a nervous breakdown when his father is shot and is of no use in the ensuing war. He's not smart enough to recognize that Moe Green is probably skimming from the casino nor is he strong enough to stand up to Moe Green.

I don't think any of these are necessarily character flaws for an everyday businessman. But for a supposed mobster these are not positive characteristics.

I agree, Lilo. The Don clearly had a succession problem that he wasn't dealing with. Fredo was wrong for all the reasons you said. And the novel says that the Don knew that Sonny wasn't right either. Clemenza tells Kay (in the car after Connie's wedding) that Michael is going to take over the business. But there was absolutely no indication at that time that Michael wanted anything to do with the business.

In the film, I get the impression that Fredo is really slow. I just chuckle though at the whole 'She was banging two waitresses at a time' comment.

I think it depends, as SC says, if your talking about the Fredo from the original novel, or the films. In the films he is a coward and generally stupid, in the book he is a bit tougher, so I think he would be good enough to join, at least with the position Vito gave him he was fine. As long he got a less important buisness that would be fine, but of course he wasnt as cunning as Micheal and Sonny.

Doesnt anyone else feel bad for Fredo? Obviously he was born his fathers son, but i feel the guy spends his whole life just trying to live up to his brothers in the eyes of their father. He wants to join as soon as he can, he wants to keep up with Sonny and perhaps see's a way to impress his father in a way that Michael seemed to fail. The poor bastard was the one who was with the Don when Sollozzo tried to have him killed, imagine the guilt he would have carried around!

Number Two expands on it, with his "betrayal" (which i always saw more as naivety and stupidity then intentional betrayal) and his outpouring to Michael, the speech were he seems to be voicing a lifetime of pent-up shame and rage (John Cazale RIP), ultimately to pay with his life for his mistakes. A guy who lived in the shadow of his father and brothers.

Winegarders novel, blech, what a cop-out. "Fredo was weak because he was gay all along" Bullshit. If i was a champion homo i would be really friggin insulted by this.