Spying on Don Corleone
Wily photographers aim for a peek on set of The Godfather.
Alex Q. Arbuckle
April 19, 1971
The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 adaptation of Mario Puzo’s novel, is widely considered one of the finest films ever made. In addition to the powerful performances by Marlon Brando and Al Pacino and Coppola’s innovative and influential direction, the film benefits from shooting in authentic locations in Sicily and New York City.A pivotal scene comes early in the film, when, while browsing a fruit stand outside his front company Genco Olive Oil, Brando’s Vito Corleone is ambushed and gunned down by rival gangsters. The scene was filmed on location at 128 Mott Street in New York City, between Hester and Grand, in the heart of Little Italy. The production had not yet released any images of Brando in his Corleone makeup, so they were especially vigilant about keeping nosy amateur photographers away. That did not stop more experienced photographers from the New York Daily News, who called on neighborhood friends and climbed onto fire escapes to catch glimpses of the Godfather himself having his hair carefully disheveled for scenes of his assassination attempt.
The “guards” did such a good job keeping Brando from public view that traffic was snarled, pushcart shopping became impossible and residents had trouble getting into their own buildings. As the temperatures and crowds mounted, the sound of angry Italians in full cry would have made Brando blush - if he understood Italian slang. - New York Daily News, April 20, 1971
