Originally posted by JustMe:
It might be a little out of place in the movie section, but remind me, Turnbull, who is that actress-whore Johnny married, Margot Ashton, based on?

Originally posted by DonMichaelCorleone:

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Originally posted by JustMe:
[b] It might be a little out of place in the movie section, but remind me, Turnbull, who is that actress-whore Johnny married, Margot Ashton, based on?

Actress and Whore I am going to say Virginia Hill. [/b]

Originally posted by JustMe:

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Originally posted by DonMichaelCorleone:
[b]

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Originally posted by JustMe:
[b] It might be a little out of place in the movie section, but remind me, Turnbull, who is that actress-whore Johnny married, Margot Ashton, based on?

Actress and Whore I am going to say Virginia Hill. [/b]

Was she that famous around the world as Puzo states? [/b]

Originally posted by Luciano Fanucci:
Corleone - Genovese
Barzini - Gambino
Tataglia - Bonnano
Cuneo - Columbo
Strachi - Luchesse

L.Fanucci

Originally posted by Peter_Clemenza:

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Originally posted by Luciano Fanucci:
[b] Corleone - Genovese
Barzini - Gambino
Tataglia - Bonnano
Cuneo - Columbo
Strachi - Luchesse

L.Fanucci

I always thought that Don Corleone and the Corleone Family were based on Carlo Gambino and the Gambino Family. [/b]

Originally posted by YoTonyB:
Turnbull, on the subject of non-Italians in the role of consigliere or key adviser, add Murray "The Camel" Humphreys, whose role in the Chicago mob is often overshadowed by the Outfit bosses in Chicago during his lifetime. It's entirely possible his influence was downplayed or undervalued becaused of his heritage. None-the-less, it's easy to draw a parallel between "German-Irish" Tom Hagan and Welshman Murray Humphreys, both of whom wielded influence among their associates during the 1940's thru 1960's...though I would argue that Hump might have been more valuable in real life than Hagan was in fiction!

tony b.

Originally posted by Peter_Clemenza:
The idea for Sonny Corleone was based on Sonny Capone, Al Capone's son.

Originally posted by Turnbull:

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Originally posted by Peter_Clemenza:
[b] The idea for Sonny Corleone was based on Sonny Capone, Al Capone's son.

?? Sonny Capone was never in the rackets. He married in 1940, settled in Miami, and had four kids. According to John Kobler, the only crime Sonny was ever arrested for was shoplifting. Carmine Persico is a better bet. James Caan was given permission to hang out with Joe Columbo and his top people during GF filming, and Persico was one of them. [/b]

Luciano, this topic has come up many times. You can do a search and find many opinions. Here are mine:

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 recruits 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 successfully succeeded his father as Don, much less surpassed his father--and endured over the long term. 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 went to prison.

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.

I agree with it all except Vito and Clemenza.

Vito is Joe Bonanno - based on both real and film characters' emphasis on blood family.

Clemenza is Joe Profaci although in the film we don't get to see Clemenza with his own family.

You got A good point there. The Gambino family was the strongest and richest family during the 40`s, and thats when the corleone`s where about, and teh corleone`s where the strongest and richest out of the five families. But I compared them with Genovese because they are currently the strongest and richest.