President Obama invoked the "Godfather" movie franchise on Wednesday in describing the natural splendor of Lake Tahoe.

The famous resort lake in Nevada was the setting for one of the most memorable scenes in mafia film history, where Fredo, the wayward brother of "Godfather" Michael Corleone, was killed in the second movie of the franchise.

Obama said it was the first thing that came to his mind when flying over the lake to speak at the Lake Tahoe environmental summit on Thursday.

"I have never been here," he said. "It's not like I didn't want to come," and that's "not just because 'Godfather 2' is probably my favorite movie."

Obama said he "was thinking about Fredo" as he flew over the lake where the character was murdered for an act of betrayal.

Obama then went onto discuss the scenic and pristine beauty of Lake Tahoe, where sailing on its clear waters has been likened to riding in a balloon. "Unless you're Fredo," he said.

The Fredo character was killed after Michael, played by Al Pacino, uttered one of the "Godfather 2"'s most memorable lines: "I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart."