Now You Know

The Godfather

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Welcome to another episode of OTTplay Now You Know , one podcast that talks about lesser-known facts, trivia and even anecdotes from popular films and shows. I'm your host Nikhil.

Revered as one of the greatest films ever made, The Godfather, turns 50 on the 24th of March. Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Diane Keaton, the film redefined the crime genre and revolutionized conventional filmmaking. Director Francis Ford Coppola collaborated with Mario Puzo, the author of the original book, to create this iconic masterpiece.  

  1. In a particular scene involving actor John Marley, a fake horse’s head was used in rehearsals, but director Francis Ford Coppola replaced it with a real head without informing Marley. Marley’s screams in this gruesome scene were in fact real. 
  2. Sofia Coppola, the acclaimed director and daughter of Francis Ford Cappola has appeared in all three Godfather movies. While it is common knowledge that she replaced Winona Ryder and appeared in the third film in a prominent role as Michael Corleone’s daughter, she has, in fact, appeared in the first and second films as well - as a baby in the baptism scene in the first film, and as an immigrant child on board the ship that brought a young Vito Corleone to the United States. 
  3. It was widely believed that Marlon Brando stuffed cotton in his mouth to essay the role of Vito Corleone. However, Brando had adopted this method only for the screen test, for the film a custom made mouthpiece was used for Vito’s unique sagging jawline. 
  4. The word, Don,  which has now become widely popular and often used in pop culture to associate mafia or mob bosses across the world is actually a fictionally created usage. The word was used by Mario Puzo in his novel The Godfather. It actually means ‘respected uncle’. 
  5. The famous cat in the arms of Marlon Brando was not originally part of the script. The cat was a stray Coppola found near the sets at Paramount Studios.  
  6. In one scene involving Brando’s Vito Corleone and Al Martino’s Johnny Fontane, Vito slaps Johnny across the face. This was in fact improvised by Brando and not part of the script, the reaction by Martino was real, and according to James Cann, who played Sonny Corleone, Martino was visibly confused and did not know whether to laugh or cry.

    7. If you haven't watched this classic flick yet then do so streaming on AppleTV+, Google Play, Jio cinema and YouTube.

    Well that's the OTTplay Now You Know for today’s episode , until the next podcast it's your host Nikhil signing out.

    Aaj ka dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

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