I'm reading Havana Nocturne by T.J. English and it's a good read! I bought the book primarily because of his willingness to document his sources by footnoting virtually every factual statement made throughout the entire book. Whether or not his sources are reliable is a discussion for another day...

One of the more compelling stories involves Frank Ragano who was visiting Santo Trafficante in Havana in 1958. Ragano was Trafficante's attorney and later authored the book "Mob Lawyer." Trafficante took Ragano to one of the live sex shows that just happened to feature the real-life "Superman", famously showcased in GFII when Fredo arranges a night on the town for his brother Michael, Sen. Geary and others in Havana.

According to the book, "Ragano asked if he could use his Super-8-millimeter camera to film the show. Using existing light, the lawyer captured Superman on film. The finished product is grainy and dark, but in a room surrounded by paintings of nudes, Superman's appendage is on display. He and the women followed the same routine as before. It is the only known footage of Cuba's most renowned sex performer from the era of the Havana Mob."

And according to the footnotes, "Footage of the famous Havana sex performer -- made by Frank Ragano in 1958 -- was viewed by the author on March 1, 2007, in Tampa, courtesy of Chris Ragano, Frank Ragano's son."

In the acknowledgments, T.J. English indicates that he viewed other 8-millimeter home movies taken in Havana by Frank Ragano. Presumably the footage isn't entirely of the sex clubs...and it would be an interesting glimpse into late-1950's Havana if the footage is any good.

I have not read Ragano's book. Does anyone know if he mentions the existence of the "Superman" home movie in his own book?

Also, if you were T.J English and you were on the way to Chris Ragano's house to see home movies like this...do you pick-up a pizza and beer?

tony b.