The reason I'm starting this thread is to try and avoid the dreaded "try the search function" in answer to forum newbie questions, something I plan to do over the next few weeks, anyway.

Maybe other newbies will feel comfortable enough to add their "newbie questions" here as well, without starting a new thread each time.

Since I have had an opportunity to watch The Trilogy several times on AMC and Bravo over the past several days, I am now hooked. Fortunately for me, I ran across this forum through a Google search, and plan to study all of the threads over time.

However, there are some burning questions I have as I begin my quest to understand all the plot intricacies. (I have not read the books either). More than likely these questions have been asked before, but I need to know now, and ask for your indulgence . . .

1. (Part II) Vito Corleone was 9 years old when he came to America. He was married and had his first child (Santino) in 1917, right? Do we khow how old was Vito in 1917?

2. (Part II) Was Tessio the young guy who invited Vito to go to the theater with him to see his girlfriend/actress, and later told Don Fenucci to "sit down" inside the theater?

3. (Part II) Vito hides the pistols and later meets their owner, young Clemenza, who helps him steal a rug for his wife. What was the baby's name that Clemenza set on the new rug?

4. (Part II) Was this young Clemenza the same "fat" Clemenza of the 1940's, who later "dies of a heart attack?"

5. (Part II) Was Tessio the other guy at the Corleone dinner table with Vito and Clemenza the day Vito offered to take $50 from each of them and settle with Don Fenucci?

6. (Part II) How much time passed between the rug theft and the murder of Don Fanucci?

7. (Part II) Immediately after the murder, Vito returns to the stoop in front of his apartment and sits down with his wife and children. Santino appears to be about 6, and a "chubby" Fredo (obviously healed up from his bout with pneumonia) about 12 months older than baby Michael who Vito holds. Have I properly identified the children?

Bonus question: Does anyone recall a scene in GF or Part II where Godfather Michael smiles?


Thanks to anyone who take the time to answer.