What's going on with Fredo in Vegas? When Michael went there to get the Casino from Moe Green - why was Fredo acting against Michael and siding with Moe? Did he think his family was loosing power and Moe would take care of him or was it that he was jealous of Michael?

Ijus think he was trying to avaoid any confrontation, and was also a little scared of Moe.

I don't think Fredo would've been jealous of Michael at this point.

Their father was still alive, and Fredo - not having any idea of the long-term plans being made by Michael & Vito - was perfectly content doing coctail waitresses two-at-a-time out there in Vegas. Even if it came with an occassional slapping around from Moe.

I pretty much agree with 'the angel of justice'.

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Don't forget that Michael had a far different approach to business than Vito. Vito would have been far cooler about his intentions of buying Moe Green out of the casino.

Fredo's major life experiences when it came to business dealings were from watching his father. When Mike came in to Vegas like some New York cowboy, Fredo was concerned that Mike was coming on too strong and would rock the boat too much.

Also, embarrassingly enough, it appears that nobody thought to inform Fredo prior to the meeting that Mike was now acting Don. Another revelation that Fredo was regarded with no repect by his own family.

The scene was designed to underscore both the weakness of Fredo's character, and that Michael had taken over the family and was ruthless and efficient:
We saw some of Fredo's weaknesses earlier: drunk and silly at Connie's wedding, fumbled gun when his father was shot, suffered nervous breakdown after shooting and was left out of the war and family business. Now, in Vegas, we see that Fredo's even weaker--banging cocktail waitresses two at a time, allowing Moe Green to slap him around, and--horror of horrors--taking Moe's side against Michael.
Michael, meanwhile, has become the acting Don. His status is reinforced when Hagen tells Fredo that Michael's in charge now--and Michael sternly rebukes his older brother.
Although there was no plan for GFII when this scene was written and filmed, it makes a beautiful setup for Fredo's betrayal of Michael in GFII.

THANK YOU! I was just about to edit my own post to mention that. Fredo was most likely under the impression Michael was in Vegas for a little fun & relaxation...indicated by the showgirls and band he had waiting in the room (another embarrassment).

Turnbull, you are SO RIGHT (what else is new) about this scene being a perfect setup for the GFII betrayal.

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I think he wanted to get Chummy with Moe Greene because he wanted to stay in Las Vegas. I mean come on, the guy was banging coctail waitresses left and right. He was Jules' favorite customer when it came to Syphilis check ups.

I totally agree with Turnbull's summation of Fredo & Vegas, and the outline for the betrayal in GFII. But I would like to elaborate in detail on what Turnbull said. We see the incapability of Fredo from early on in the movie. However I think that once in Vegas, Fredo felt like a "somebody" learning the Casino business, getting woman, etc. Probably for the first time in his life he felt that he was doing something of value for himself. Now Mike comes to Vegas, and Fredo is acting like the wheel, trys to throw a party for Mike, obviously trying in his own way to show Mike that he ( Fredo ) had finally become a " something" while out in Vegas. Mike obviously wants things his way when he arrives, stepping all over Fredo's plans. Then in GFII Fredo again tries to do something "On His Own " hoping to impress Mike and The Family by hooking up with Johhny Ola, believing that he would be helping Mike with the "negotiations. " Fredo obviously felt inferior to Mike and the rest of the family, so this is why both times he is trying to show Mike that " He's smart, he can do things!" Poor Fredo.

Don Cardi

That's a great theory, DC--and one that I don't believe has been aired here before (will wonders never cease?)! If so, imagine how much wind Michael took out of Fredo's sails when he said to Moe: "Is that why you slapped my brother around?" Or when Rocco said to him in II re. Deana: "Michael says if you can't handle this, I have to."

Hold on, he wasn't weak where it counted! 2 at at time, for anyone that has been there, thats not an easy feat for any man. Please lets give Fredo his due, and don't forget he was a snappy dresser, he didn't wear them "silk suits" that Geary had so much disstain for....

Yeah, but he was no Superman.

Who was a Superman besides, well, Superman?

The only clue we have Fredo's, um, endowment, would be Sonny, and his, um, length, as described so vividly by Sandra to her cronies at Connie's wedding.

Perhaps it ran in the family.

Hey, plawrence...though I know it's important to men, you don't have to have a big one to be a good lover .

It's possible that, perhaps, Fredo was of adequate but not impressive size and therefore made up for it with his suggested 'stamina'.

However, Deanna's crack that he couldn't hit his mama would imply that little Freddie didn't always want to get up for school....if you know what I mean .

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