Posted on 06/06/2024 7:10:44 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Diane Keaton's surprising journey to starring in the iconic The Godfather trilogy.
-Diane Keaton landed her first major role in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather trilogy.
-However, the actress has shared that she never expected to land the part, as she had no knowledge about The Godfather.
-She was surprised when she got the call back about the role, as she did not expect to land a dramatic part. Featured Video
Diane Keaton, a celebrated Hollywood actress known for her remarkable talent and extensive career in the industry, has graced the screen in several hits such as Sleeper and Annie Hall. However, the first major part that earned her significant recognition came with that of Kay Adams-Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.
After starring alongside Al Pacino in the first film, she would reprise her role in the subsequent sequels. However, the actress later acknowledged that she did not expect to land the part when she went in for the auditions.
Diane Keaton Had no Expectations About Landing The Godfather Role Diane Keaton took on the role of Kay Adams-Corleone, second wife of Michael Corleone, in The Godfather trilogy. While the actress seamlessly transformed into her character, Kay Admas has not been immune to criticism.
Fans have shared their criticism of the character calling her bland and uninteresting compared to the other members of the Corleone family. And the actress certainly wouldn’t have anticipated such a response to her character, considering she didn’t even expect to land the part.
In an interview, the Oscar winner shared insights into her casting process for the 1972 film. The actress shared that after making her Broadway debut and starring in films like Lovers and Other Strangers, she was advised to seek more opportunities through auditions.
SUGGESTED“1977 was her year”: Diane Keaton Looked Unbeatable at the Biggest Stage With 2 Oscar-Worthy Performances in 1 Year “1977 was her year”: Diane Keaton Looked Unbeatable at the Biggest Stage With 2 Oscar-Worthy Performances in 1 Year “Someone said to me, ‘You’ve got to go and audition for things,” she recalled as per AARP. After which, she went in and auditioned for Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed trilogy. However, Keaton entered the process without knowledge of the film’s premise or its literary source.
“So, I auditioned for the film, and I got the role of Kay Corleone,” she said while revealing, “I didn’t even know what The Godfather was.” The actress later reflected on the experience of securing a dramatic role despite her background in comedy, describing it as the “strangest thing” that ever happened to her.
Diane Keaton Described Landing The Godfather Role as “Strangest Thing” Ever Celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Godfather, Diane Keaton reflected on her audition for the 1972 film. Keaton, whose work mostly included comedy both on Broadway and in movies at the time, shared that she would constantly audition for several jobs when she went in for Francis Ford Coppola’s film as well.
The actress also shared that she was surprised when she got the call back about the role, as she did not expect to land a dramatic part. “I didn’t know what the movie was or anything,” she said in an Instagram post before adding, “I performed the script… and then I left.”
Admitted that she never envisioned herself in the role, the actress said,
Later, I heard that Francis Coppola wanted me to play the part. That’s when I realized that that was the strangest thing to ever happen to me in my whole life.”
After Giving Al Pacino a “Get Married or Break Up” Ultimatum, Diane Keaton Chose “More Adventurous Things” Over a Married Life The 78-year-old actress’ role in the movie might not be a fan favorite, but Keaton has enjoyed a remarkable and prolific career, having starred in numerous films and earning multiple accolades, including an Oscar for the 1977 film Annie Hall.
I stand corrected on the timing of the abortion. And yes, Sonny’s son was conceived in I, but did not appear as a character until III.
I contend that they have “more” culture than many, if not most other ethnicities. A long-held Puritan Christian culture of modesty and of keeping a low profile typified the Northeastern descendents of the New England settlers.
My use of WASP was not literal or figurative, but as the acronym it stands for: White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.
I’ve always considered WASP as a positive term. Maybe ‘cause I’m one. 😆
“she was a White Blond Girl to OFFSET all the other members of the Corleone family...
she filled the bill and was good in the part”
That’s what I thought.
Yes Ma’am...
“On Thin Ice,”
That was seriously tense.
It’s just missing the blue line clickbait.
“If you narrow the definition of WASP to include primarily upper-middle-class to upper-class, there is something there.”
I’m a WASP, from a poor family. WASP has nothing to do with money.
It does, and it doesn’t. WASP stands for White Anglo Saxon Protestant, but colloquially it implies class as well. A southern redneck often meets the definition but is not typically included in the grouping.
Here is a definition from Perplexity ai:
Some key points about WASPs:
The term emerged in the 1960s to describe the elite upper class of American society that had roots tracing back to the original English Protestant settlers of the 17th century.
WASPs historically held a position of power, wealth, and influence in American society, politics, academia, and culture for several centuries.
The WASP establishment was seen as promoting its own cultural values and traditions derived from Northern European Protestant backgrounds.
Over time, the WASP elite’s influence has declined as American society became more diverse and meritocratic, though remnants of the old establishment persist in certain institutions.
The term can have negative connotations of exclusivity, snobbery, and discrimination against non-WASPs, though it was originally a sociological descriptor.
Hmmm... I don’t recall hearing it as a derogatory term for uppity elitists. Always just the simple literal meaning of the acronym. ...
“had roots tracing back to the original English Protestant settlers of the 17th century.”
I agree the acronym implies nothing more, but in Connecticut it implied the whole thing listed. George H.W. Bush would be a first class example.l
Maybe Kamala has a column. It sounds like Kamala. Kamal is who it reminds me of, or rather Kamala’s speech patterns are those of whose speech patterns it is reminescent.
Funny - I would’ve been the first to use the term WASP on this thread, if I hadn’t shortened an earlier post in the interest of time. Now that I see this discussion, I have to add my two cents. :-)
Where I grew up, I remember the acronym WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) was used mostly for the wealthy elite families who lived on the Main Line (Philadelphia area). It also could be used for the not-so-wealthy or working-class Anglo Saxon Protestant families who shared certain qualities with their wealthier counterparts - mainly, a quiet, reserved demeanor. In those days, no one I knew used the term WASP as a pejorative, but quite the opposite was true - WASPs tended to either look down upon, or be amused by, other ethnic groups, such as Italian Catholics.
I never read the Godfather books. Maybe if I did, I would understand why Keaton was picked for the role of Kay. She might be perfect for the role, and Pacino perfect for his role, but (IMHO) the two of them don’t work together.
Wasn't that the point in Michael being obsessed with her image in society instead of making a true love marriage with her? His father had wanted him to climb out of the Italian-American environment that you noted was regarded as déclassé by some members of the WASP establishment she represented. She was a way for him to look more polished, and for his children to “pass” more easily. Remember the scene in GFII when the smarmy Senator, who controlled whether the Corleones would get a gaming license in Vegas, said:
“I'm going to squeeze you, Corleone, because I don't like you; I don't like the kind of man you are. I despise your masquerade, and the dishonest way you pose yourself and your f*****g family.“
IIRC that was the only time the F-word was used in the Godfather movies.
Did not appear in Part I at all. Did appear that one time in Part II. But the f-bomb was dropped quite a few times in Part III. Do a “Find” search:
http://www.thegodfathertrilogy.com/gf3/transcript/gf3transcript.html
LOL, III doesn’t count.
Disagree. In spite of its flaws, it finished the story of a man’s utter failure and search for redemption.
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