Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli : The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather

This "wickedly pacey page-turner" ( Total Film ) unfurls the behind-the-scenes story of the making of The Godfather, fifty years after the classic film's original release. The story of how The Godfather was made is as dramatic, operatic, and entertaining as the film itself. Over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movie's fiery creation have been told—sometimes conflicting, but always compelling. Mark Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players including actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Talia Shire, and others to write "the definitive look at the making of an American classic" ( Library Journal , starred review). On top of the usual complications of filmmaking, the creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. During production of the movie, location permits were inexplicably revoked, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with an irate Frank Sinatra, producer Al Ruddy's car was found riddled with bullets, men with "connections" vied to be in the cast, and some were given film roles. As Seal notes, this is the tale of a "movie that revolutionized filmmaking, saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made its struggling author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between two of the mightiest powers in America: the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob." "For fans of books about moviemaking, this is a definite must-read" ( Booklist ). The Godfather: over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movie's fiery creation have been told. Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players. In doing so, he provides insights into how the movie whose success some initially doubted roared to glory. The creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. Location permits were inexplicably revoked; producer Al Ruddy's car was found riddled with bullets. The film saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob. -- adapted from jacket "The incredible true story of the making of The Godfather-one of America's most popular cinematic masterpieces-featuring interviews with the director, producer, cast, and crew, just in time for the film's fiftieth anniversary"-- Provided by publisher.