5 Fascinating Facts About The Godfather

Top 10 Unbelievable/Fascinating Facts About The Godfather

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Unbelievable/Fascinating Facts About The Godfather.

For this list, we’ll be looking at behind-the-scenes details and stories about the 1972 cinematic classic that went from winning the Best Picture Oscar to being ranked second on the AFI’s list of the 100 Greatest American Films of All Time.

Do you have any fascinating “Godfather” facts? Share them in the comments.

#10: The Film Rights Were Bought Before the Book Was Finished

Before “The Godfather,” author Mario Puzo (mawrryo POO-zoh) wrote “The Fortunate Pilgrim.” Although not a commercial hit, this novel featured a memorable Don character. In need of a best-seller, Puzo expanded upon the subject for another novel, researching the mob world. As the public grew more fascinated with the mafia, producer Peter Bart sought to buy the film rights even though Puzo only had a 20-page outline! While his agent advised him against taking the deal, it was an offer Puzo couldn’t refuse, especially since he had gambling debts to pay off.

#9: Paramount Didn’t Want a Period Piece

As in Puzo’s novel, Francis Ford Coppola’s film follows the Corleone family from 1945 to 1955. Since Paramount wanted to keep the budget as low as possible, though, they sought to set the film in modern day Kansas City and use the studio backlot. The original script that Coppola read took place in the 70s and even had hippies. Coppola not only aspired to honor the source material, but he also felt the post-war subtext was integral. Although it would cost more, Coppola convinced Paramount to make it a period piece. The book’s New York setting was preserved as well, using 120 locations in and around the city. Cinematographer Gordon Willis added to the period ambiance, shooting the film like “a newspaper photograph in bad color.”

#8: Nino Rota’s Score Lost Its Oscar Nomination

At the 45th Academy Awards, “The Godfather” tied with “Cabaret” for the most nominations, earning 10. When the nominations were first announced, though, “Godfather” led the pack with 11. This included a nomination for Nino Rota’s iconic musical score. However, this nomination was rescinded because some portions had been reused from “Fortunella,” a 1958 Italian comedy that Rota scored. John Addison’s “Sleuth” score replaced “Godfather” in the lineup with the Oscar ultimately going to “Limelight,” a Charlie Chaplin film that had been produced in 1952 and finally screened in L.A. two decades later. It was a weird year for scores at the Oscars. Although Rota lost this nomination, he’d go on to win the Best Original Score Oscar for “The Godfather Part II.”

#7: Improvised Rehearsal Meals

“The Godfather” is still praised for its realism. Not just the gritty realism of mob life, but its honest portrayal of family. To establish an authentic family bond before shooting started, Coppola had his cast stay in character for an improvised dinner at Patsy’s Italian Restaurant in New York. They gathered in the backroom around a family-style table with Marlon Brando at the head. Al Pacino sat to Brando’s right with James Caan and Robert Duvall to his left. Talia Shire could also be seen carrying platters of Italian cuisine. In Godfather fashion, Brando kicked things off by pouring everybody wine. Since the younger actors looked up to Brando, it wasn’t hard to regard him as a father figure that they wanted to impress.

#6: Al Pacino Almost Did Another Gangster Movie Instead

Paramount was hesitant to have the then-relatively-unknown Al Pacino play Michael Corleone, especially since the character was tall and blonde in the book. It looked like Pacino couldn’t accept the role anyway since he was under contract to star in another mob picture at MGM, “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight.” Coppola kept pushing for Pacino, however, and Pacino eventually left that other mob movie in order to play Michael. Ironically, Robert De Niro had been cast as Paulie Gatto in “Godfather,” but he dropped out to take Pacino’s place in “Gang.” Things would come full circle when De Niro was cast as a young Vito Corleone in “The Godfather Part II,” repeating Marlon Brando’s success at the Oscars.

#5: The Studio Initially Wanted a Shorter Cut

“The Godfather” earns its lengthy runtime, clocking in at nearly 2 hours and 55 minutes. However, Coppola was informed that if the film went over 2 hours and 15 minutes, the editing would move from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Coppola removed pretty much anything that wasn’t essential to the plot, getting the film closer to the length that the studio wanted. When Paramount received this version however, they found that many of the story’s layers had been lost. Coppola was informed that he had “shot a movie but brought down a trailer.” While the film regained its longer length, the editing took place in L.A. regardless. To perfect the longer cut, the release was pushed from Christmas 1971 to March 1972.

#4: The Producer Stole a Print For the Mob

Albert S. Ruddy pitched “The Godfather” to Gulf+Western executive Charles Bluhdorn (blue-dorn) as “an ice-blue terrifying movie about people you love.” Ruddy was subsequently hired as the film’s producer, but he’d face several unconventional challenges. As the film attracted unwanted attention from the real-life mob, Ruddy strove to maintain peace throughout production. Although the mafia wasn’t invited to the premiere, Ruddy took a print of “The Godfather” and arranged a private screening for the mob. According to Ruddy, the screening went so well that the projectionist got a $1,000 tip. Ruddy would get the Best Picture Oscar for going above the call of duty. Given everything he endured, though, we can see why Ruddy gave up his sequel rights to produce “The Longest Yard.”

#3: Frank Sinatra Had a Bone to Pick

In “The Godfather,” singer Johnny Fontane asks Vito to help with his film career. Frank Sinatra couldn’t help but notice similarities between Johnny and himself. Aside from also being a singer turned actor, Sinatra allegedly had mafia ties. Rumors suggested that Sinatra landed his Oscar-winning role in “From Here to Eternity” through the mob. Many historians believe that’s only an urban myth, but the fact that Johnny wants a role in a war picture thickens the Sinatra connection. Displeased, Sinatra reportedly compelled his mob friends to threaten the filmmakers. When Ruddy and Puzo encountered Sinatra at the restaurant Chasen’s, the author wanted to get his autograph. It wasn’t long until Sinatra was screaming at Puzo, asking if he was in cahoots with the FBI.

#2: Paramount Didn’t Want Marlon Brando

Paramount was against casting Brando, who was notoriously difficult and fresh off multiple duds. Puzo felt Brando was the only actor for the role, though, even writing him a letter. Coppola managed to convince the studio to let Brando screen test. Feeling that Vito Corleone should have a bulldog look, Brando put cotton balls in his cheeks for the audition. Brando ended up using a special mouthpiece in the film, having wowed Paramount with his screen test. Developing a voice based on Frank Costello, Brando used cue cards throughout production - either to add to the spontaneity, or just because he didn’t memorize his lines. The risky casting resulted in a Best Actor-winning performance. Not bad, considering that Brando is on screen for less than an hour.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Vito’s Cat
A Stray That Coppola Found, The Cat Purred So Loudly That the Scene Was Re-Recorded
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The Cannoli Line Was Improvised
Richard Castellano Came Up With It

Actors Who Were Considered for Michael
​​Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, & Robert De Niro

It Broke Box Office Records
It Was the Highest-Grossing Movie Until “The Exorcist” Came Out the Next Year

Sacheen Littlefeather Turned Down Brando’s Best Actor Oscar (saw-sheen)
It Was In Protest Over the Treatment of Native Americans

#1: Joe Colombo’s Campaign to Stop the Movie

“The Godfather” faced numerous obstacles on its way to becoming a cinematic classic. Arguably the greatest hurdle was appeasing crime boss Joseph Colombo and the Italian-American Civil Rights League. Fearing that the film would paint a negative portrait of Italian-Americans, Colombo ran a campaign to prevent its release. To assure Colombo that the film wouldn’t enforce stereotypes, Ruddy allowed him to look at the script. Colombo ultimately gave his approval on the condition that the script remove any mention of the “mafia” or “​​Cosa Nostra.” Ruddy’s deal with the mob would get him temporarily fired from the picture, although Coppola helped reinstate him. While the film didn’t receive the most positive reception from the Italian-American community upon release, the Mafia came to embrace it.