Between the Covers

Unbound. Original screenplay. Third draft. Dated March 29, 1971 (the date principal photography began). 143pp. Unbound mimeographed sheets printed rectos only, with related material. A script used by the studio to prepare the television version, this is accompanied by 1) a four page mimeographed memo marked: "Master Copy -- Showing Actual Changes Made", apparently intended to make the film televisable, for instance: "21' - Caan balls wedding guest against bedroom door - pick up scene as Duvall knocks on door, Caan and girl are then in freeze position - continue scene (with girl's off camera 'Oh Sonny!' but WITHOUT the orgasmic moans and sighs) after Caan says he will join Duvall in a minute. (Recommended cuts will be made) (Also after cuts made 'Oh Sonny' didn't make sense and Coppola agreed to cut)." Also: "31' - greatest piece of ass I've ever had. (Cut 'ass' only) (Changed to 'greatest piece of stuff')." Also with 2) Single photocopied sheet printed recto only of Coppola's introduction to the film indicating, in part: "I was pleased to have the opportunity to personally supervise the revisions, working with NBC so that this film could be viewed on television." Slight age-toning and light wear at the extremities, paperclips on the pages where changes have been made with pencil notes, else a near fine copy. The bestselling novel was made into one of the most acclaimed blockbuster films, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and featuring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and many others. *The Godfather* was first nationally broadcast on NBC in November, 1974, a month before the theatrical debut of the equally acclaimed *The Godfather: Part II*. In 1977 a more elaborate, chronological portrayal of the Corleone epic (combining this film, its sequel, and numerous cut scenes) was edited and televised as *The Godfather Saga* (reportedly in order to raise funds for Coppola's *Apocalypse Now*).

Item #322104