The Godfather: Don Corleone's Approach to Meeting Jack Woltz

In ldquo;The Godfather,rdquo; if Don Corleone decided to meet with Jack Woltz himself, the outcome would have been similar to what actually transpired. Vito Corleone, the patriarch of the Corleone family, was known for his shrewdness and strategic approach to dealing with adversaries. Would he have handled the matter personally, or would he have relied on a trusted consigliere to manage the delicate situation?

The Role of Tom Luca

When dealing with a case as significant as an entertainment mogul like Jack Woltz, Vito Corleone usually relied on his trusted consigliere Tom.

ldquo;It is highly unlikely Vito would handle such a matter personally but look at how he dealt with the landlord to see how he might operate in such an instance. He would meet and let his reputation speak for him. He would probably word it as a request for a favor coupled with an undertone of menace much like Tom handled it.rdquo;

Tom Corleone, with his refined oratory skills and his father's authority, would have effectively communicated the gravity of the situation to Jack Woltz. This would have included making Woltz understand that turning down the request was not merely an inconvenience but a potential threat to his well-being and livelihood.

The Hot Horse's Head Incident

Vito Corleone was known for his brutal yet strategic tactics. The ldquo;horse’s head in the bedrdquo; incident, while an extreme measure, was a testament to his willingness to escalate until his demands were met. In this scenario, Vito would have likely informed Tom to proceed with the same approach:

ldquo;If Woltz did not comply initially something bad would happen to let Woltz know Vito meant business and when Woltz came to capitulate Vito would extract a penalty for his noncooperation. I suspect Vito was the one who thought of the hot horse’s head in the bed and told Tim to get that done.rdquo;

Woltz, a man arrogant and unprepared for such behavior, would have feared to challenge Vito's authority face-to-face. This fear would ensure that he submitted to the demands, albeit begrudgingly.

Home Field Advantage and the NYC Meeting

Given Vito's preference for home field advantage, it is highly improbable that he would fly to Hollywood. He would want to conduct the negotiations in his familiar environment. Therefore, the meeting would take place in New York City. The location would allow Don Corleone to assess the situation more effectively and handle the negotiation with greater ease.

ldquo;Having said this I’m going to assume the negotiation with the band leader took place in NYC. I just can’t picture these two hulks flying across the country in a Lockheed Constellation.rdquo;

For Woltz to be made aware of the seriousness of the situation, he would need to be convinced to travel to New York. The ldquo;horse’s head in the bedrdquo; would serve as an effective psychological tool, ensuring that Woltz understood the dire consequences of his actions. The bed sheets would be a carefully placed threat, indicating that Don Corleone was serious about his demands.

Luca Brasi, Don Corleone's right-hand man, and Johnny Fontane, the singer affected by Woltz's actions, would need to be present. Their presence would add a level of urgency and moral support, making the negotiations more effective. Ultimately, there would be no yelling required. Woltz would be so afraid that he would comply without any further agitation.

Don Corleone, a man of intelligence and logic, would not stoop to Woltz’s level. He would make his case with eloquence and ensure that Woltz understood the serious nature of the threat. His approach would be strategic, ensuring that Woltz would cave without the need for drastic action.

Conclusion

The meeting in New York City would be a more effective and less confrontational way to handle the situation. Vito Corleone's reputation and the threat of the ldquo;horse’s head in the bedrdquo; would ensure that Woltz would comply without any further ado. The outcome, regardless of the method, would be the same: Woltz would agree to help Johnny Fontane, or he would face consequences that would be worse than just a head under the silk sheets.