The Godfather movies were unique, based on the Mario Puzo books.
Puzo apparently sold the movie options prior to finishing the book. The book was of course a best seller and the movie went on to become a blockbuster. There were a few set-backs but the movie got made. The following may contain some spoilers.
Thirty Plus facts about the Godfather movie:
* All major deaths are proceeded by orange/s.
* Coppola included his sister parents, and baby daughter into the movies.
* Frank Sinatra thought one of the characters portrayed his like--he was not happy about it.
* A top boss started the Italian American Civil Rights Organization and they had a part in influencing the movie.
* Sonny's end took a cue from the Bonnie and Clyde movie.
*Brando's screen time is less than 60 minutes.
* Robert Evans did not want Nino Rota's original score, he wanted Mancini.
* Anthony Perkins wanted to play Sonny Corleone.
* Nino Rota was accused of lifting from his own score of Fortunella (1958).
* Mia Farrow (post-Beatle fame) auditioned for the movie.
* During production Coppola won an oscar for co-writing Patton.
* S. Neil Fujita created the puppet string Logo.
* Marlon stuffed cotton in his mouth for the look, and for the film production a mouthpiece was created for him.
* The studio did not want Marlon--they stipulated no funds for him until filming was completed.
* Marlon Brando worked on the set/movie for 35 days.
* Coppola wanted Pacino very badly for the part--- he fought the studios--and though he was under contract with another film studio he traded Robert DeNiro for Pacino. He brought DeNiro back in the next movie as the young Don Corleone.
* Marlon Brando used cue cards to read his lines--as he has done in other movies.
* Martin Sheen was considered for the part of Tom Hagen.
* Luis Garcia Berlanga directed the Spanish speaking footage.
* Elvis Presley wanted to be in the movie.
* Joe Spinell (Rocky & Taxi Driver) was uncredited as Cicci.
* George Lucas (of Star Wars fame) filmed the gangland killing montage.
* Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, all made $35,000 to $36,000 apiece.
* Robert Towne (Chinatown and Shampoo) wrote some scenes.
* Clint Eastwood presented the Academy Award.
* The film was shot in 77 days.
* The film has made over 245 million dollars at the box office.
* William Reynolds (Sound Of Music and the Sting) edited the first part of the movie.
* Many fine directors were offered the chance and declined, including Peter Bogdanovich, Sergio Leone, and Otto Preminger.
* After only four weeks out, nationwide, the movie was the 12th highest grossing film in the US.
* The producers did not like or want Pacino and wanted him to wear pumps for added height.
* Bill Butler (a Clockwork Orange and Jaws) did some cinematography for the LA scenes.
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