Random Reasons How 'Godfather' Became An American Classic Even Though It Was 'Nightmarish' Behind Scenes (10 items)

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  (#7) Marlon Brando Saw The Movie As A Metaphor For Corporations And The Vietnam War

  When Francis Ford Coppola and others persuaded Marlon Brando to accept the role of Vito Corleone, the esteemed actor searched for an interesting angle in which to portray his part. He found it when he realized the family always described their hits as "business" - or "a matter of policy." Brando felt the cold treatment of people was "so American," and the story was "about the corporate mind." 

  He also said the characters in The Godfather reminded him of Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, and Dean Rusk, whom he felt were the architects of the Vietnam War.
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  (#2) The Actor Who Played Johnny Fontane Used Real 'Connections' To Get The Part

  Johnny Fontane was the lounge-singer-turned-actor so involved with the Corleones that they left a severed horse's head in a producer's bed, scoring him a role in an upcoming film. In real life, Fontane was played by an actor of similar circumstance. Al Martino got involved with the Italian syndicate after recording a No. 1 hit "Here in My Heart" in 1952 when members strong-armed his manager to "sell" Martino's contract. Martino himself had to flee the United States to escape them, but he returned after brokering a deal with the head of the Philadelphia syndicate, Angelo Bruno.

  By the 1970s, Martino had so much support from the family he was able to secure a part in the movie. With the influence of Don Russell Bufalino, producer Albert Ruddy gave Martino the role of Fontane. However, after Francis Ford Coppola joined the production, Coppola cast Vic Damone instead, unaware of the deal between Ruddy and Martino. Damone later backed out of the film due to Bufalino's influence.

  When filming began, Martino got the part, but much of his character was written out of the final film due to pressure from an unhappy Frank Sinatra, who sued to end the film's production because of Fontane's resemblance to him or perhaps for the fact he disliked Martino's acting.
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  (#8) James Caan Helped First-Time Actor Lenny Montana Relax By Pulling A Prank On Marlon Brando

  When real wiseguys visited the set of The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola spotted one of their bodyguards, Lenny Montana, and cast him on the spot to be Luca Brasi. Montana was a former wrestler before joining the Colombo family as muscle. He, however, was not a trained actor, so when filming his scenes with Marlon Brando, Montana was nervous. He flubbed his lines and was stiff on set; much of the stuttering seen in the film's final cut was Montana trying to remember his lines.

  Coppola asked James Caan to loosen Montana up and help him relax. Thus, Caan persuaded Montana to play a prank on Brando to get him to break character by writing the words "f*ck you" on a piece of tape and attaching it to Montana's tongue. When Montana stuck out his tongue, Brando fell to the floor laughing.

  When continuing the scene the next day, Brando returned the favor by taping the words "f*ck you, too" to his tongue.
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  (#4) Throughout Production, Paramount Considered Firing Francis Ford Coppola

  Paramount and The Godfather's producers did not have a lot of confidence in Francis Ford Coppola at first, thanks to Coppola's lack of experience and the many troubles they encountered during production. They consistently pressured the young director and created what Coppola later called "a nightmarish experience." Coppola was intensely worried about providing for his three young children and doubted the movie's chances for success. He claimed he was "always on the verge of being fired."

  Coppola had so little faith in the movie he wasn't even in the United States during the premiere, and his wife had to call to tell him about The Godfather's incredible success.
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  (#3) Francis Ford Coppola Had To Fight Paramount To Cast Al Pacino As Michael Corleone

  Though today Al Pacino is beloved for his role as Michael Corleone, Paramount Pictures head Robert Evans thought he was a terrible choice. "A runt will not play Michael," Evans said to Francis Ford Coppola. While Pacino was Coppola's choice for Michael early on, Evans and other producers refused to accept him. They believed he was too short. 

  Even when Pacino finally got the part, the studio kept trying to find a replacement and force him to continue doing screen tests. He tested for the role so many times his girlfriend called Coppola and complained they were wronging him.

  Coppola and Evans eventually brokered a deal when Coppola agreed to fire his first choice for Sonny, Carmine Caridi, and cast James Caan instead. In exchange, Evans relented to cast Pacino as Michael. 
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  (#6) Francis Ford Coppola Created A 720-Page Notebook To Prepare For The Movie

  Francis Ford Coppola is famous for conducting intense research and preparation before filming many of his movies. The Godfather was no exception, with Coppola digging into the world and culture of the Italian syndicate. Apparently, on the Paramount lot, there was a large bulletin board in the Godfather production offices that included dozens of photos of slayings and services from the '40s and '50s.

  Much of the material ended up in a 720-page notebook Coppola put together throughout production. He later sold a condensed version of it.

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