The cast of characters behind “The Godfather”’s success was nothing if not eclectic, from down-and-out Hollywood legends to ascendant show business superstars. Yet somehow, fifty years after its release—against all odds—the film remains in a league of its own for its evocation of the American dream, and for kickstarting a cultural fascination with the Mafia that endures today. On the tenth and final episode of “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli,” Mark and Nathan reflect on the lasting legacy of the movie, and how it impacted the lives of those like Evans, who considered the film his crowning achievement.

The cast of characters behind &ldquo;The Godfather&rdquo;&rsquo;s success was nothing if not eclectic, from down-and-out Hollywood legends to ascendant show business superstars. Yet somehow, fifty years after its release&mdash;against all odds&mdash;the film remains in a league of its own for its evocation of the American dream, and for kickstarting a cultural fascination with the Mafia that endures today. On the tenth and final episode of &ldquo;Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli,&rdquo; Mark and Nathan reflect on the lasting legacy of the movie, and how it impacted the lives of those like Evans, who considered the film his crowning achievement.

What’s left to say about “The Godfather"? Upon the film’s release in 1972, it almost instantly became a byword for the best Hollywood has to offer. It minted a new generation of stars, earned hundreds of millions of dollars, established Francis Ford Coppola as one of the best directors of his generation, and changed the way Americans viewed the mafia—and cinema—forever. 

 

And yet, “The Godfather” almost never got made, with meddling studio executives and vindictive members of the real-life mafia trying to smother the movie at every turn. During production, location permits were revoked, war was waged over casting decisions, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with Frank Sinatra, a producer’s car was riddled with bullets, and “connected” men auditioned for—and in some cases landed—parts in the film. 

 

On “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli,” Mark Seal, author of the 2021 book by the same title, and Nathan King, a deputy editor of AIR MAIL, present new and archival interviews with Coppola, James Caan, Robert Evans, Talia Shire, Al Ruddy, and many others, stripping back the varnish of movie history to reveal the complicated genesis of a modern masterpiece.

What&rsquo;s left to say about&nbsp;&ldquo;The Godfather"? Upon the film&rsquo;s release in&nbsp;1972, it almost instantly became a byword for the best Hollywood has to offer. It minted a new generation of stars, earned hundreds of millions of dollars, established Francis Ford Coppola as one of the best directors of his generation, and changed the way Americans viewed the mafia&mdash;and cinema&mdash;forever.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
And yet, &ldquo;The Godfather&rdquo; almost never got made, with meddling studio executives and vindictive members of the real-life mafia trying to smother the movie at every turn. During production, location permits were revoked, war was waged over casting decisions, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with Frank Sinatra, a producer&rsquo;s car was riddled with bullets, and &ldquo;connected&rdquo; men auditioned for&mdash;and in some cases landed&mdash;parts in the film.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
On &ldquo;Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli,&rdquo; Mark Seal, author of the 2021 book by the same title, and Nathan King, a deputy editor of AIR MAIL, present new and archival interviews with Coppola, James Caan, Robert Evans, Talia Shire, Al Ruddy, and many others, stripping back the varnish of movie history to reveal the complicated genesis of a modern masterpiece.

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

The Grand Finale

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/55cc302a-0cf3-478e-b148-b2c701549213/transcript

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