Posted on 12/07/2010 12:06:11 PM PST by nickcarraway
Al Pacino has told how he was nearly fired from his iconic role as Michael Corleone in The Godfather and said he hasn't defeated his alcoholism, but 'just doesn't drink'.
The 70-year-old Oscar winner also told CNN's Larry King how Marlon Brando's support helped keep him in the career-making Godfather film.
Talking about working with Brando and nearly being fired from The Godfather, he said, 'Brando was a source of inspiration.
'It was unnerving playing with him in Godfather. But he was good to me. He was sensitive to me.
'They thought I was wrong for Michael and they were going to let me go.
'Francis said, 'You're not cutting it for me kid'.
'What kept me in was the restaurant scene.
'They kept me after the shooting.'
Talking about his battle with drink, he said, 'I didn't defeat it that's all you can say. I just don't drink.'
Contrary to rumors, she’s still alive.
It’s said the blue eyes come from Viking invasions long ago. Pier Angeli had them as well and she was Italian. Not to mention Bernardo Provenzano of Palermo mafia fame.
I have my eye out for Moe Greene.
Yes, he died while The Deerhunter was being filmed. I think he was 42 and had lung cancer. Hard for me to believe that Streep found him attractive.
Huh? John Cazale? The Deerhunter was another good one. Christopher Walken is usually great in anything. Odd and quirky but great.
John Cazale was great in one of my favorite Francis films - The Conversation. Anything Gene Hackman does is good. Great actor. Duvall was in that one too plus Harrison Ford and the fellow who played the chef in Apoc Now - he died recently.
"Now you listen to me, you smooth talking son-of-a-bitch. Let me lay it on the line for you and your boss, whoever he is. Johnny Fontane will never get that movie. I don't care how many dago guinea wop greaseball goombahs come out of the woodwork. Jack Woltz
Every movie Cazale was in was nominated for an Oscar.
(Godfather I & II, The Conversation, Dog Day Afternoon and The Deerhunter)
Tom Hagen: I’m German-Irish.
Woltz: Well, let me tell you something, my kraut, mick friend. I’m gonna make so much trouble for you you won’t know what hit you.
"'Cause she's got a great ass!"
“Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news immediately.”
Woltz certainly had to know right then he just made a big mistake.....poor Khartoum.
Speaking of II, I didn't like Deniro as Vito either.
Early the next morning Jack Woltz learns that the offer shouldn't be refused again.
I did not buy "Godfather III", which is dreadful, imho.
“And you’ve got your head waaaaay up it!”
...and I grew up in Brooklyn and several of my friends there were light-haired Italians. Some people on this thread think Italians only look like Pacino. Some do look like Caan...
On youtube there is a video on the casting of Michael Corleone. Al’s screen tests were going badly. Watch the video and he looks like a nerd. Caan said he got a call from unhappy Francis. Francis says he wants Caan to come in and test. Cann says test what a Porsche. Funny. The video has Caan testing as Michael.
Francis always wanted Al but the studios wanted a big name. They also wanted possibly wantd a more waspy or fairer looking michael - no joke. They were really talking about Ryan O’Neal and Redford and casting Michael as a northern Italian.
They also screen tested DeNiro as Michael. He was way over the top like his character in his early film with Scrosese Mean Streets. A psycho kind of Michael.
Poor Francis - I am suprised the studios did not give him a heart attack between The Godfather and Apoc Now. It was a real battle.
Would you mind adding me to your ping list, DollyCali?
He was supposed to be a good kid who was saved by Sonny from an abusive alcoholic father. It explains his intense loyalty to Sonny and his anger after Sonny got killed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.