The Godfather turns 50

50 Years ago this sensational novel was turned into a film that made Hollywood history.

Did You Know:
Paramount producers disliked all of author Mario Puzo’s and director Francis Ford Coppola’s casting ideas.

Instead of Marlon Brando for "Vito Corleone", they looked at:
Orson Welles
Ernest Borgnine
Charles Bronson
Burt Lancaster

Instead of Al Pacino as "Michael Corleone", they wanted:
Dustin Hoffman
Robert Redford
Ryan O'Neal
Warren Beatty
Jack Nicholson
Martin Sheen
Frank Langella

Instead of Diane Keaton for "Kay Adams", they tried out:
Blythe Danne
 Michelle Phillips
Karen Black
Tuesday Weld

After $400,000 spent on screen tests, Paramount ended up going with Coppola’s & Puzo’s original choices ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

(Info from Leave the Gun, Take The Cannoli by Mark Seal)

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Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather By Mark Seal Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781982158590
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Gallery Books - October 19th, 2021

The Godfather: 50th Anniversary Edition By Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola (Introduction by), Anthony Puzo (Notes by), Robert J. Thompson (Afterword by) Cover Image
By Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola (Introduction by), Anthony Puzo (Notes by), Robert J. Thompson (Afterword by)
$18.00
ISBN: 9780451205766
Availability: NOT ON HAND, but usually Ships in 2-7 Days
Published: Berkley - March 1st, 2002

The Godfather Notebook By Francis Ford Coppola Cover Image
$79.99
ISBN: 9781682450741
Availability: NOT ON HAND, but usually Ships in 2-7 Days
Published: Regan Arts. - December 20th, 2016

The Godfather: The Corleone Family Cookbook  By Liliana Battle, Stacey Tyzzer (Photographs by) Cover Image
By Liliana Battle, Stacey Tyzzer (Photographs by)
$39.99
UNAVAILABLE-Possible Reasons: Backordered, Out-of-Stock, or Out-of-Print (But email us to search for a copy.)
ISBN: 9781683835424
Published: Insight Editions - May 14th, 2019

The Godfather Effect: Changing Hollywood, America, and Me By Tom Santopietro Cover Image
$19.95
ISBN: 9781493057160
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Applause Books - March 1st, 2022

The Family: A Read with Jenna Pick (A Novel) By Naomi Krupitsky Cover Image
$27.00
UNAVAILABLE-Possible Reasons: Backordered, Out-of-Stock, or Out-of-Print (But email us to search for a copy.)
ISBN: 9780525541998
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons - November 2nd, 2021