01x04 - The Right Shade of Yellow

Episode transcripts for the TV show "The Offer". Aired: April 28, 2022 - present.*
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Based on Al Ruddy's experience of making the 1972 film "The Godfather".
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01x04 - The Right Shade of Yellow

Post by bunniefuu »

COLOMBO: Joe Gallo's actions
led to our last w*r.

My family is now the Colombo family,

and I have a right to handle
these matters as I see fit.

What do you got in mind for him?

I'm gonna light his whole
f*cking world on fire

and burn everything he ever loved

to the f*cking ground.

I'm a serious man, and I'm committed
to making a serious movie,

one that family men
like yourself can be proud of.

If you want me to change the
script, I'll change the script.

- I know who Michael is.
- Who?

Al Pacino.

That shrimp never gets the part.

He's a beautiful actor!

Hey, director, take a visual cue.

Doesn't get this part.

FRANCOISE: These scripts,
they come into your office

and just sit there.
That's just money burning.

So let me help you.
We can do this together.

If that's what you want.

Hi, Bob. Hey, gorgeous.

I will find me a producer

who knows not to sh*t where he sleeps.

Mr. Lovano, this is Al Ruddy,
the producer of the film.

Nice to meet you.

This is perfect. We can sh**t
the whole wedding sequence

right on the lawn here.

- You like it?
- I like it.

Do you want to know why I'm happy?

- Yes.
- Brando wrote you back.

He wants to do it.

He wants to play the Don.

We need hits.

Did you read "Love Story"?

What does that have to do with anything?

The audience needs to be moved, Barry.

That's how you make hit pictures.

[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]



[DRAMATIC FANFARE]

Tonight all of Hollywood turned out

for the premiere of "Love Story,"

starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal.

Audiences across the country
are flocking to theaters

to see the adaptation
of the best-selling novel.

Could this finally be the hit

that turns around Paramount's fate?

FRANCOISE: It's f*cking ridiculous.

We should have never gone
to that premiere.

- I had to go.
- No, you didn't.

I had to support Bob.
"Love Story" is his baby.

Well, it's his baby, not yours.

You didn't want to go,
you should have stayed home.

Oh, but then
I would have missed everyone

looking over your shoulder
for someone better to talk to.

You need to learn
how to read a room, Al.

I don't give a sh*t
about reading a room!

I wouldn't have gotten
to where I am if I did.

And where exactly is that, huh?

Getting embarrassed by your peers?

Were we invited in the first place?

I don't think we were.

You don't know what it takes
to be a producer.

You've been one
for all of seven seconds.

This is the kind of sh*t
that you have to do.

Yes. Don't fool yourself, Al.

You haven't been one
for much longer, all right?

This coming from a woman
who's never built anything

by herself in her life.

And what do you call the Chateau?

A divorce settlement.

- Let's drop it.
- No, no, no, no.

Let's talk about this.

You always do this.
It's all "Baby, it's okay."

Or, "It's a joke,"
or whatever vapid remark

that gets you out
of having a real conversation.

So I want to have
a real conversation now.

We're talking now, aren't we?

The fact that you think so
is the f*cking problem.

[LIVELY MUSIC]

EVANS: I already live on a mountaintop.

Hey!

Last night was out of sight, right?

PERSON: How 'bout those reviews?

Reviews?

The critics are raving about it.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] Todd, my usual.

Please, stop it.
It's crazy. It's too loud.

Well, maybe a little bit louder.

Bob, what a film.

You made the classic tearjerker.

I mean, if Louis B. Was still alive,

he'd be jealous of you.

What a great party.
Sorry we had to leave early.

Well, to be honest,

I was surprised
you could make it at all.

With literally zero cast

and more budget concerns than the Fed.

- PERSON: Bravo, Evans.
- Thank you.

Look, producer's tip .

If your movie's on shaky ground,

do not bring that vibe
to another man's premiere.

Just, mm-mm, no.

- Thank you very much.
- Got it.

I'm in town for casting meetings.

Luca Brasi, Fontane,

a lot of actors want in on this picture.

You don't cast Michael and the Don,

you don't have a picture.

Seriously, don't give Bluhdorn

a reason to pull the plug on this one.

Speaking of the Don, I got good news.

Mm-hmm?

Marlon Brando is interested.

- Brando?
- Yeah.

- Now I got your attention.
- Yeah.

For all the wrong reasons.
Brando's a f*cking nightmare.

Box office poison.

Just a very difficult human being.

- Look, do you want my advice?
- Always.

Don't waste your time.

There's plenty of other
good actors out there.

Just move on to someone realistic
and use Andrea.

She knows what she's doing, man.

I know.

One more thing.

Don't do Peter Falk. It hurts my head.

It's about Pacino.

Give him another sh*t.

- Francis loves him.
- No. No Pacino.

How many f*cking times
do I have to tell you?

You trust my taste,
and stop it, all right?

Look, "Love Story" is poised to be

one of the biggest-grossing
movies of all time,

and "The Godfather"
needs to follow suit.

Do you hear me? Do you understand?

Do not f*ck up my streak, all right?

I don't think one movie
in a row constitutes a streak.

He needs to have his head examined.

I should have my head examined

for what we're about to do.

Why?

He didn't say
you couldn't go after Brando.

Just said it was a waste of your time.

Let's hope Bob appreciates
that distinction.

I mean, Brando has canceled
this meeting four times,

so maybe he won't have to.

Hey, boys.

Morning.

So this is the Marlon Brando's house.

[GATE BUZZES]

I imagined it differently in my head.

[WIND CHIMES TINKLING SOFTLY]

Mario.

When I, uh, got your letter,

I thought, "This, you could do, Marlon."

So thank you for allowing me
to come into your life.

Well, you're Marlon Brando.

Sit.

Thank you.

So, um, thank you so much for having us.

Have you, uh...

Have you seen my movie "Burn"?

Uh, no. No.

- Not yet.
- I've never heard of it.

They call me "b*rned Out Brando."

I haven't heard that.

I don't know who "they" is,
but they're morons.

You two, you two are good actors.

Acting is a social lubricant.

People lie constantly
by not saying what they think

or by saying what they don't think

or not saying what they... They mean,

but saying what they think
you want to hear.

Yes, and...

the difference with acting
is that you're given the words.

Well, dialogue changes.

Motivation doesn't.

[SIGHS]

You'd like to know my motivation

for being here and sitting with you?

- Yeah.
- You like the part.

[CHUCKLES]

Sinatra hated that I sang
"Luck Be a Lady"

in "Guys and Dolls."

He hates "The Godfather."

So...

I thought I'd piss him off.

That's the real reason. [CHUCKLING]

It's not for the money.

[ALL LAUGHING]

I see you.

Come on.

BETTYE: Hello.

Come on, Bettye.

RUDDY: She works for me.

Ah.

You know, ever...
Ever since your letter,

I keep thinking about the Don.

It's all I see anymore.

[CLEARS THROAT]

I was...

I was thinking maybe...

Maybe the Don got sh*t in the throat,

which... which affected his voice.

Maybe... maybe his jowls
droop like a bulldog.

Huh.

Kai.

Bring me the black shoe polish.

[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]



[CAMERA WHIRRING SOFTLY]

Buona sera, buona sera.

- Thank you again.
- PUZO: Bye, Kai. Bye, Marlon.

RUDDY: Bye, Marlon.

Holy sh*t!

Tissue paper and shoe polish,
and Brando disappears.

He's a genius.

Francis, you're actually smiling.

Let me tell you something.

John Ford, he once said
that you make one for them,

and you make one for yourself.
Well, guess what.

I just realized the one
that I'm making for them

could be the best one
that I'm making for myself.

And I'm not talking about some upgrade

to a Warner Brothers gangster flick.

Now we got a sh*t at making
the real thing here, people.

- BETTYE: Francis.
- Yes.

You're gonna make a great film.

Thank you, Bettye.

Pacino and Brando in the same frame.

I'm working on it. Okay? I promise.

We're making a movie.

[LAUGHS] See you later, boys.

- Bye.
- PUZO: Take care.

Hopefully the guys in
the tower see what we just saw.

- I mean, that was incredible.
- Yeah.

My God, what an actor.

Do you think Pacino's
actually a possibility?

No.

But I'll figure something out.

When I started working for you,

I really wasn't sure
you knew what you were doing.

Most of them time, I don't.

Well, let me tell you,

you're doing something important.

That's why I don't mind
trading in a love life

for reading "Godfather" rewrites.

You just f*cking swing.

And that matters.

- Thanks, Bettye.
- Yeah.

You're gonna be late.

So we've covered Vegas and Palm Springs.

Here's another one for you.

What's your favorite song
to do with Dino and the boys?

Let me ask you this, Bill.

You want to do a puff piece,

or you want to write something real?

What do you have in mind, Frank?

What does "The Times" think
of Joe Colombo

and the Italian-American
Civil Rights League?

More importantly,
how do you feel about it?

Well, they're supposed to be protecting

the image of hardworking
Italian-Americans,

but this Colombo,

he hasn't done a g*dd*mn thing
about this "Godfather" movie

even though it denigrates Italians.

I'm telling you, Bill,

you've got , Italian-Americans

following one man,

and he doesn't give a sh*t
about what's good for them.

What do you think he should be doing?

He ought to shut
the f*cking picture down.

I think I'm tired.

I'm tired of having the same
conversation over and over again.

That makes two of us.

And what conversation
is that, Francoise?

Well, he's never honest with me.

And... and it's hurting me.

What have I lied about?

Al, you lied about everything.

You lied about Mickey Cohen

and the fact that you're now
in bed with the mafia.

And now you're lying about
wanting to be my partner.

You are my partner.

No, I'm not. Nobody is.

Francoise,

can you tell Al what you mean by that?

You're placating me.

You don't treat me like an equal.

Do you think I'm too delicate
or something?

No, I think you're tough as nails.

Then treat me with respect.

I'm sorry.

I don't want you to be sorry
or say what you think I want to hear.

I just want you to be real. Be honest.

That's all I've ever asked of you.

Life is complicated.

I understand some things
are private. No problem.

But some things aren't,
or at least they shouldn't be.

And the truth isn't complicated.

It's always the truth.

And if someone's your partner,
you don't bend it or avoid it.

You f*cking tell it.

[SIGHS]

I don't want to produce with you.

I need to do this on my own.

I love you. I want to be with you.

But this, this movie,

I just need one thing that's my own.

[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]



Okay.



I asked you for the truth, and
you gave it to me, so thank you.



SINGER: ♪ Baby, you're laughing ♪

♪ But I'll be around for
a while, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

Ah, man, the area
north of is no good.

Could cause us some problems.

See something you like, huh?

Could arrange an introduction.

All right.

Let me know when window
shopping turns to buying.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]



SINGER: ♪ Do the shing-a-ling
or the funky Broadway ♪

♪ Too, too sad ♪

Carmine. Lenny.

Is there some place to go?

How about a seat right here?

And don't worry, Carmine,

we'll get a high chair for you.

Yeah. This is business, Joe.

This isn't a place to discuss...

What, you don't feel safe
here in Harlem?

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

CARMINE: From Colombo.

$ , ?

Colombo sent you all the way up here

just to f*cking insult me?

Go back and tell your f*cking boss
I got my own family now.

I don't need his charity.

Known you guys for a very long time.

You got seconds
to get the f*ck out of here,

or I'm gonna send you back to Colombo

with your heads in a box.

Let's go, Lenny.

[ENGINE RUMBLING]

[BRAKES SQUEALING]

Gianni, what the hell
are you doing here?

Bettye Boop!

Is that the way you greet an old friend?

Come here. Give me a hug.

How the hell did you
even get on the lot?

You know I know people.

I thought I'd surprise you.

Brought you something.

Wow. A whole scone.

Yeah, I got it on the road
from this little cafe

that'll change your life,
right outside of Vegas.

Hand to God,
the best pastries in the world.

[CLEARS THROAT] Hey. Who's this?

- You're Al Ruddy, right?
- Yeah, that's me.

Just the man I was looking for.

Al, this is Gianni Russo.

He used to date a girlfriend of mine,

- but he was just leaving.
- But first, sir,

- I brought you something.
- Oh, what, another scone?

Nah, something much better.

Gianni, you cannot just bring your reel.

I can't just what?

Al's got a movie to cast.
Ain't that right, Al?

- I'm just helping him.
- Nice of you to stop by.

A transistor radio changed my life.

Hand to God. Listen to this.

You're never gonna believe this sh*t.

I heard Frank Sinatra on it,
and I thought to myself,

"He's Italian. I'm Italian..."

Wait, wait, wait. You're Italian?

[CHUCKLES] My point is,

is if he can do it, why not me?

Who could argue with that logic?

You gotta watch the whole thing.

It's incredible.

I did Michael, Sonny, and the Don.

Ha! Wow, that is a hell of a hat trick.

RUDDY: Hopefully
not all at the same time.

I just figured those are
the ones I'd be believable in.

Well, if you need any help with
any research, I'm your guy.

"The Godfather"
ain't got nothing on my life.

Hand to God.

At the very least,

Gianni just marked three roles
off our casting slate.

That's a relief.

Evans wants to have
a state of the union tomorrow

before we head back to New York.

Hi. We put a bunch of Dons on tape.

Anthony Quinn. Danny Thomas.
We'll show him then.

What about Fontane?

Francis likes Al Martino for it.

I have no idea who that is,
but if Francis likes him, I'm good.

Have you spoken to Francis about casting

his sister Talia for Connie?

She's strong. She wants to do the role.

He's got enough drama
with the Corleone family.

He may not want to involve his own.

And dare I bring up Michael?

Has Evans approved Pacino for the role?

Francis has a better chance
of seeing God

than getting Pacino that part.

He's tested four times.
Caan is a strong choice.

Francis will never go for it.

Bluhdorn saw Pacino off-Broadway,

and he likes him, if that helps.

ANDREA: Not while Evans is
still running this place.

He's angling for Redford or Nicholson.

How the f*ck you know
what Bluhdorn likes?

- 'Cause I did my homework.
- Oh, teacher's pet.

What about Falk for Moe Green?

Can we get him out of his NBC deal?

No longer interested.

He said, and I quote,
"I had to hire a detective

to find the part, and I still couldn't."

Can one f*cking thing
go right with this picture?

I mean, is that too much to ask?

I got a script
the size of an encyclopedia,

a budget that's less than
Bluhdorn spends

on cigars in a month, no cast.

We got Duvall in for Hagen.

He a great actor. Changes nothing.

- What about Brando?
- We don't have Brando.

What we have
is a silent -millimeter film

to try and get him approved,
which, let's be honest,

that could blow up in our faces.

I got a director in love
with the shortest unknown actor

on the f*cking planet,

and Biaggi's making waves.

Am I forgetting anything?

No. I'm pretty sure that covers it.

He's having a day.

Evidently, yeah.

I think that Gianni guy
would be good for Carlo.

Are you serious, Ruddy?
The guy is a schmuck.

Typecasting at its best.

Show it to Francis.

[SCOFFS]

- Who?
- Don't ask.

I'll tell you what,
Ol' Blue Eyes better start

using that microphone for singing,
or I'm gonna strangle him with it.

CAESAR: What's it say?

m*therf*cker's questioning
my loyalty to my people.

You want me to do something about it?

I think it's a little more
complicated than that.

How'd it go?

Not good.

He was out of order, Joe.

He wasn't happy.

He said it was an insult.

Because it was.

And now we watch.

Gallo's gonna do something crazy.

Then I'm gonna go back to the Commission

and get the okay to take him out.

What do you want to do about Sinatra?

You know, if I let
a wannabe tough guy singer

and a corrupt congressman
b*at me at this,

I might as well move to Boca.

I gotta double down on this movie.

[SMOOTH JAZZ PLAYING]



EVANS: I love this tune.

Yes, mama.

Hey, baby. Hello.

- You smell good.
- Mm.

[PHONE RINGING]

It could be important.

I got it, I got it.

Yello.

Jack!

Jackie, baby, what's going on, man?

How you doing?

I'm good. I'm good, I'm good.

Huh?

Yeah, yeah, I'll tell her. Yeah.

Hey, did you see those
box office numbers, baby?

- Evans.
- Yeah, right?

It's Nicholson. It's Jack.

Hey, look, that's not
the reason I called earlier.

No.

"The Godfather," the role of Michael.

Listen, star, you can play anything.

Irish, Italian, what's the difference?

You make it your own, baby.
You're the "Easy Rider."

No one can put a tag on you.

And when I say, "Easy Rider,"
it's not a tag,

it's a compliment.

You son of a bitch.

I know. [LAUGHS]

BLUHDORN: Yeah, run
the agreement and get it done!

Get the car ready.

Hello.

Mr. Director.

Charlie, can I get a minute?

No.

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

I have something you need to see.

What, the Coppola family
goes to Coney Island?

I promise you it's important.

Yeah, well make an appointment, Francis.

Charlie, what I have to show you,

it's the difference between a good movie

and a cinematic classic.

You gotta see it.

Hey. Did you slip it in?

[WHISPERING] Thanks.

ANDREA: Hi, Bob.

We've got Oscar winners
lined up for you to see.

We've got Steiger,
Anthony Quinn, Ernest Borgnine.

I don't know why the hell we're doing

this without Francis.
I need his opinion.

- Where is he?
- He's in New York.

What the f*ck is he doing in New York?

[PHONE RINGS] Anyone?

Yes?

Got it, got it.

It's Charlie.

He wants us to watch something.

Huh?

Hi, Charlie. We're starting now.

Mm. [PROJECTOR WHIRRING]

Who is that?

Is that Rod Steiger?

That's not Steiger.

Look at those eyes.

BART: Is that Brando?

It's f*cking magic.
I love it. I love it!

It's the first time I got a clue
of what Francis wants to do.

I'm sorry, but what does

a silent, three-minute home movie prove?

It proves...

that he's still
the greatest actor of our time.

ANDREA: Brando will bring
something no one expects.

'Cause he's a nutcase!

The budget will skyrocket.

RUDDY: No, guys, he'll play ball.

He invited us to his home.
He let us put him on film.

Okay? He wants to do this.

I mean, look at the screen.

You can't take your eyes off him.

Charlie...

you're watching something very special.

- Evans, he works for scale.
- EVANS: All right.

BLUHDORN: And puts up a bond.

Make it a million dollars.

That way, he doesn't pull
any of his games.

Sure. [LINE DISCONNECTS]

[UPBEAT DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Marlon Brando.

He's great, right?

Yeah, he's great.

If we lock him in, it's a go picture?

Mm-hmm.

It worked out for you this time, kid.



Don't ever try and go around me again.

Not gonna happen. Thanks, Bob.

What are you reading?

They finally approved Brando today.

It's a big deal.

So you're heading back to New York.

Yeah, I'm leaving tomorrow.

Things are just really starting
to move fast now.

Francoise, I don't know
what you want from me.

Yes, you do.

It's not just the same
as what you want from me.

[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]

"The Godfather" is a thr*at
to our very existence.

It's an insult to our businesses,

to our culture.

This picture is an as*ault

on Italian-Americans everywhere.

And as a public servant,
I have to address

the concerns of my constituents

and hold everyone behind
"The Godfather" accountable.

Thank you.

f*ck. f*ck.

And that is only the beginning.

There's a Biaggi piece
in the "Chicago Sun-Times."

"The Tribune" quotes some Italian baker

that "The Godfather" is blasphemous

and he's gonna boycott "Love Story."

f*ck.

And Sinatra is on record as well.

If you ever do decide to sell Paramount,

no buyer is gonna want to touch us.

This is turning into a f*cking fiasco.

Charlie.

Ruddy needs to be supervised. All right?

He's in way over his head
with this kind of stuff.

And one small, little misstep from him

is gonna be a disaster.

It's our fault.

We gave him too much responsibility.

One low-budget biker film

and a sitcom that he walked away from...

That's his résumé.

But I don't care
about how he got Marlon Brando

in his little home movie, all right?

We need to do something
to save this movie.

And we need to do it now.

Talk to legal.

Let me know what our options are.

Okay.

[DOOR OPENS]

EVANS: I gotta tell you, Marlon,

Jimmy Cagney told me
he thinks that you are

the transformative actor
of your art form.

Well...

after the w*r, people
were looking for rebellion.

I happened to be at the right
place at the right time

with the right state of mind.

Well, you're at the right
time with "The Godfather."

We want you for it.

We just need to talk
about your approach,

not just creative,
but as part of the team.

We need to know that
you're gonna play nice, Marlon.

Play nice?

Mm.

What is this? A sandbox?

Who are you?

What?

We're just talking things through here.

I don't talk things through.

That's what I have an agent for.

I know that.

But this is in the spirit
of how we're making the movie.

We got no problem with your artistry

or your chemistry with Francis.

We just need to know that you'll accept

that we're working
on a limited budget, man.

That's all.

Cagney said that?

Mm.

That means so much to me.

I have a... I have a suggestion
for Michael, if I may.

Well, I'd love to hear it, Marlon.

Who are you thinking?

Well, he's a...

He's a great theater actor.

He won an award
for "Tiger in the Bowtie."

This kid, you can't take
your eyes off of him.

Al Pacino.

Yeah, I never heard of him.

BETTYE: Oh, that's gonna go
straight down the hall and to the left.

- How was your flight?
- Long and bumpy.

And? Everything at home?

- Don't ask.
- Roger that.

Hey, anything on Brando?

Home run on the offices, Ruddy.

- That's all Bettye.
- Aww.

Your office is right here.

I've got Evans. In my office.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Hi, Bob. I've got Al
and Francis with me.

EVANS: Did you find me a Michael yet?

- Hey, Bob.
- I didn't think so.

Francis, stop pimping Pacino.

Brando couldn't even get the name
of Pacino's play right.

RUDDY: So, Brando, you nail him down?

Nail him down?

He's like nailing jelly to a tree.

Look, we need a deal at scale.

We need him bonded for a million.

And we need his signature.

This is your sh*t, Ruddy.

You nail him down. [LINE DISCONNECTS]

- Bettye, get Irv Goldstein.
- Yes.

Why does he have such
a hard-on against Pacino?

Francis, look, please.

BETTYE: Al Ruddy for Irv Goldstein.

I have Goldstein.

You know how to play hardball?

I invented the game.

- Irv.
- GOLDSTEIN: You're one lucky SOB.

Mr. Brando never wants to work,

but I convinced him
for grand a week,

five-week guarantee,

with his usual perks to do your movie.

Way to go.

Irv, it's a $ million picture.

Everybody works for scale.

GOLDSTEIN: Then Marlon
isn't in the picture.

- That's right.
- GOLDSTEIN: Who else you gonna get?

- There's always somebody else.
- No, there's nobody else.

- Irv, Andrea Eastman here.
- GOLDSTEIN: Oh, Jesus.

Do you know who passed on "Casablanca"

before Bogart took the role?

GOLDSTEIN: Yeah, Ronald Reagan,

I know that one.

Tell Coppola Reagan's available.

Reagan's, um...

The deal is scale plus five points

once box office hits $ million.

GOLDSTEIN: Pass.

Here comes Anthony Quinn.

No!

What are you... What are you doing?

Bottle of Dom Pérignon
he calls back in five,

four, three, two, one.

f*ck.

[PHONE RINGS]

It's Goldstein.

Yes, I will connect you.

- GOLDSTEIN: This is a no quote deal.
- That's right.

- GOLDSTEIN: You go over, you pay.
- That's right.

GOLDSTEIN: Welcome
to the world of Marlon Brando.

[EXCLAIMS] [CHUCKLES]

What... how did you know
that he would call back?

Because he needs us
more than we need him.

[KNOCKING ON WINDOW] Al Ruddy,

you're under arrest.

Sonny. What's up, buddy?

You don't start till next week,
you know that, right?

- Yeah, yeah.
- Yeah, okay.

Uh, everybody, this is Sonny Grosso.

He's ex-NYPD and overall fixer
for guys like us.

He's from "French Connection."

That was me.

Billy Friedkin is a good friend of mine.

Billy is the best.

- You got a second to talk?
- Yeah.

- RUDDY: How you been?
- SONNY: I'm good. You?

RUDDY: Yeah, good.

Finally getting going on this thing.

Yeah, good, good.

What do I need this for?

Look, I know you think
you know what you're doing, all right?

But you don't, okay?

Getting into bed with Joe Colombo?

That's a bad idea.

And from what I understand,
it's already done.

You gotta protect yourself.

Colombo's been nothing
but a friend to me.

I'm covered.

Honestly.

You, uh...

You ever hear of Crazy Joe Gallo?

Maniac.

Former Profaci capo.

m*rder*d the boss, Albert Anastasia.

He recently got out of jail.

What's that got to do with me?

If Gallo comes gunning for Colombo

like I think he will,

he either, I don't know,
tries to take over your movie,

or worse, you get caught
with a stray b*llet.


[SCOFFS] Well, let's hope
it doesn't come to that.

But I appreciate the warning.

And this.

If you get into a bad situation,

that'll buy you some time.

Maybe.

Thanks. I'll see you.

Hey.

What a nice surprise.

I didn't know you were coming today.

What's wrong?

I'm not staying.

I'm... I'm going to Paris.

Paris?

I just need to get away.

Clear my head.

But I wanted to say goodbye.

When you get back, we can...

We'll talk.

Really talk,
the way that you wanted us to.

I'm not coming back, Al.

Not to this.

I want to be with you.

All of you

or none of you.

[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]



BETTYE: There is a simple way
to save your relationship,

if you want to.

Tell me.

Get on a plane and get on your knees.

I understand why you won't, though.

Thank you.

I got divorced a few years ago.

Did you know that?

- You mentioned it.
- Yeah.

Childhood sweethearts.

He grew up down the block from me.

Not a single memory I have

where we weren't planning
our future together.

And he had this phenomenal ass.

Whoo! [CHUCKLES]

Well, what happened?

Life, I guess.

I don't know, we got older,

realized we didn't want
the same things anymore.

I wanted to have a career.

He wanted me to bake pies.

I hate f*cking pies. [CHUCKLES]

- I'm sorry, Bettye.
- I'm not.

I am not gonna change for anyone.

What I want or who I am.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

[SIGHS]

Was it easy to walk away?

No.

Sometimes I think
about how hard this is.

All the time, every single turn.

It's like the universe has made my balls

its own personal punching bag.

And yet,

I still can't seem to walk away.

Then go after the girl.

I wasn't talking about the girl.

[SIGHS SOFTLY]

Cheers.



SINGER: ♪ Like you hurt me ♪

Morning, Bettye.

Need you call P.J. Clarke's,
get a table for dinner.

Now that Brando's on the movie,
it's finally a go.

We gotta celebrate.

- Al. Al!
- What? What is it?

COLOMBO: Is that Al Ruddy I hear?

[UPBEAT DRAMATIC MUSIC]



Joe. What are you doing here?

Look at his face.

Look at...
Look at the worry on his face.

- He does look f*cking worried.
- [CHUCKLING]

I'm not worried.

- What is this?
- It's a cannoli.

It's the best cannoli in Brooklyn.

Joe, you didn't have to do that.
I appreciate it.

Hey, look at this.

Look at this.

- That's for you right there.
- Oh.

Hey.

Have that.

You're one of us now, kid.

We need each other, all right?

We gotta trust each other.

Yeah, of course.

Sinatra's still a problem for me.

Problem for you too.

I may have a solution to that.

He doesn't want to be humiliated, right?

- Yeah.
- That Fontaine character's

in almost a third of the book.

Tell him, thanks to you,

I was able to cut that character down
to two scenes in the movie.

You can do that?

I mean, it's a lot of work
re-typing those scripts,

but, Joe, for you, we can do anything.

We're so grateful
to have your support, truly.

This guy. This guy!

As his own tribe would say,

- a mensch.
- CAESAR: A mensch.

I'll make sure to tell Frank personally.

- Please do.
- All right, bye. Bye. Bye.

- Thanks, Joe.
- COLOMBO: Bye.

COPPOLA: Damn it!

We lost the Staten Island compound.
That was Lovano.

- What do you mean we lost it?
- We lost it.

Lovano, the owner, he backed out.

I need that house.
The whole thing came alive...

- BETTYE: Al? Al.
- When I saw the house...

The world's looking for you,
including Bluhdorn.

He wants to you by end of day.

Okay. Francis, I'll deal with it.

Just... just give me a minute,
and I'll work on it.

Okay. All right?

Hey.

What's that about?

Colombo pinned me.

[CHUCKLES]

That meant something very different

when I was in high school. [CHUCKLES]

LAPIDUS: "The Godfather" is important,

but it's becoming a problem.

What's the problem?
We just got Brando. We're greenlit.

LAPIDUS: The problem is the bad press
that the picture is getting.

I mean, Sinatra, Biaggi,

it's coming at us from all sides.

Ruddy, we want to give you some help.

What kind of help?

Al... [CLEARS THROAT]

We should be partners.

No.

Jack is gonna produce with you.

He knows how the press operates.

He can take that burden off you.

And he's gonna be on set
with you anyway.

Just to have your back, help
with the extra heavy weight.

I got it.

What's Evans think about this?

Ask him. He's listening.

EVANS: I said let's hear
what you have to say.

We're all ears.

Well, I'm assuming, for the three of you

to get this whole party together,
you already talked to legal.

- So?
- So my contract states

I'm the sole producer on this project.

Al, it's not unusual for the producer

- to get a little help.
- It's unusual for me.

That's why I negotiated it that way.

This guy got suckered
into a pissing contest

with Sinatra, Biaggi,
and the Italian League.

Sinatra's not gonna be
a problem. I took care of it.

Charlie, I'm the sole producer
on this project.

If Jack wants to come along
and join the party, fine.

I'll even get him a fancy chair on set.

But I'm doing this on my own.

I'm not putting my neck
on the line every day

to make you a great movie
so that Jack or anybody else

can second-guess me.

I make the calls.

Evans?

EVANS: I'm with Ruddy.

Fine.

But a word to the wise, Ruddy.

When you fail alone,
there's no one else to blame.

That's the only way I want it.

[LAUGHTER] All right.

I just want to thank all of you
for coming tonight.

Now that we are finally greenlit,

we can really get the ball rolling.

Closed our deals with Dean Tavoularis

for production design,

and Gordy Willis is gonna
head up cinematography.

It's really an incredible team.

But I will defer to the artists.

Captain, my captain, Francis, toast.

BETTYE: Yes. Whoo!

Mario, you do the honors.

No, Francis. Come on, this is your show.

I mean, I could say a few words,

but it would take me at least
a month to write it, so...

Take it away. Take it away, boss.

Okay.

Well, I'm very honored and humbled

to be surrounded
by such talented people.

I hope I deserve you.

Um...

We're making a movie.

And you're only allotted,

you know, a certain amount
of time during the day

to get everything done.

And you want everything just perfect.

Every sh*t.

But sometimes it's great,

and it's out of focus.

Sometimes a dolly wheel squeaks.

Sometimes it's magic,

and the actor goes up on their line.

So you do it again,
you check the gate, you move on.

Cheers.

To "The Godfather."

ALL: To "The Godfather."
To "The Godfather."

- All right.
- Okay, enjoy yourselves.

Wh... where you going?
We didn't even order yet.

I know. I gotta run. I'm late.

I gotta go to Martin Scorsese's
parents' house,

tape their conversations over dinner.

For the accents. For the actors.

I'll see you all later.

Hey, Francis. What's going on?

Everything okay?

That was kind of a weird toast.

Look, Van Gogh paints sunflowers, okay?

He needed a particular shade of yellow.

No yellow, no sunflowers.

I feel like I'm going to have to cave

on the particular yellow
that I want, right?

And the dreams that I have.

Without Pacino,

this whole movie
is not gonna quite work,

and then my dreams won't happen.

I'll make a good enough movie,

but that will break my heart,
which will k*ll me.

Wait.

Is everything okay?

I need to see Charlie alone,
as soon as possible.

I'll take care of it. Yeah.

Hey.

Some of your special friends are here.

I just want to sleep.

Get me a drink.

- Al.
- What's going on, Joe?

I got something for you.

Forgive me, but when I was
leaving your office,

I overhead something about a problem
with the Staten Island house.

That location
was important to you, yeah?

Yeah, but we'll find something else.

Yeah, but that's
the one you wanted, right?

It's okay. These things happen.

Come here, come here, come here.

[CHUCKLES]

[TENSE MUSIC]



You remember him?

Peter, Peter, stop crying.
I ain't gonna hurt you.

I don't want no trouble. Please.

I have a family.

COLOMBO: We all got a family, Peter.

But you got a signed contract to rent

your house to "The Godfather" movie.

That's a project
that's very important to me.

You understand that?

But Congressman Biaggi,
he says it's bad for us Italians.

You got a problem with certain people,

you should come to me for help.
We're all Italian here.

We all want to see this movie get made.

Why not use another house?

"Use another house."

Is that what you just said?

You want to rethink that?

I'll do it.

Take the house.

- No money.
- COLOMBO: No, you're gonna get paid.

After all, what are we, animals?

Take him home.

Al, come here.



Oh, thank God.

Al.

What happened?

We got the Staten Island house back.

Okay.

Colombo bullied the owner
into giving it back to us.

The guy pissed himself,
he was so scared.

He thought that they were
gonna f*cking k*ll him.

So did I, actually.

I've never felt so dirty in my life.

Why would you ask him for help?

I didn't.

He overheard Francis tell me about it.

The last thing I want is
to be in his debt, trust me.

Can't get the picture
of that guy out of my head.

[GASPS]

You said you need to talk to Charlie?

He'll be at the Belmont
Race Track tomorrow morning.

How do you know that?

I'm supposed to meet him there.

["CALL TO THE POST" PLAYING]



[HORSE WHICKERING]

What the f*ck are you doing here?

Expecting someone else?

Ha, yeah, someone a lot cuter.

Well...

- I didn't know you had horses.
- Yeah, I love horses.

Who doesn't love a sick way
to lose money, you know?

Look, I'm gonna make this quick.

We need to cast Michael.

Francis and Evans
are deadlocked over Pacino,

and I need you to make
an executive decision

so we can get this movie made.

Side with Francis.

Why?

You saw what he did with Brando.

I mean, you should trust him.
He's an artist. He's got integrity.

Yeah, I love Brando,

but artistic integrity,
all this bullshit...

You think Francis is right?

I do.

Pacino's the guy.

Jesus, Ruddy.

Evans gave you your sh*t.

He's just backed you as a sole producer.

You really think
about what you're doing here.

If I say yes, he's gonna be pissed.

It's what the movie needs.

Fine.

Thanks.

- Good luck out there.
- Yeah.

You too.

[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]



- EVANS: Honey.
- ALI: Hmm?

I booked a private dinner
at Perino's tonight

with all the key foreign press
for the Golden Globes.

ALI: We've gone out nights
in the past two weeks.

This is your time.

When they come, you have to answer.

I want to stay home and read.

This book is far more interesting

- than another dinner party.
- Ali, baby,

you're the biggest star in the world.

Oscar nominations
are right around the corner,

and the Golden Globes
get the buzz going.

Come on.

Thank you.

[PHONE RINGS]

Yello.

What?

Al?

Evans is on the phone.

[PHONE RINGS]

Okay.

RUDDY: Shut the door.

Mm-hmm.

[BREATHES DEEPLY]

EVANS: You m*therf*cking Judas.

I warned you not to go around me.

RUDDY: Bob, look,

that's not what I was trying to do.

EVANS: You ungrateful f*ck.

Charlie Bluhdorn sells
auto parts, sugar, cigars,

and a tiny part
of his business is Paramount.

He could sell it off tomorrow
and not give a f*ck.

I took a chance on you,
and you stabbed me in the back.

I don't like Pacino!

He's a huge mistake.

But I guess
he's in the picture, isn't he?

But you know what?

Now we're gonna do things my way.

You got Pacino for Michael.
I get Jimmy Caan for Sonny.

Not a problem.

I already set Carmine Carridi.

Well, then you f*cking unset him!

[PHONE RECEIVER SLAMS]

Ah, f... [SIGHS]

I'm not gonna do that.

f*cking Francis.

Caan's not gonna hurt the movie.

Okay, so he's not Carridi.

You begged me for Brando and Pacino,

and I delivered 'em!

Take the f*cking win, man.

Give Bob his dignity, and let's move on.

Pacino's approved?

Yes.

Invite him to P.J. Clarke's.
We'll tell him in person.

- Thank you.
- Yeah.

Al, why don't you go
tell Pacino the good news.

I can't. I have to go prep.
I have too much I have to do.

But, hey,

I want to call Bob, and
I'll tell him that Caan is in.

Good.

Al, thanks.

We're good.

Scotch, neat.

Sorry I'm late, g*ng.
You didn't tell him, did you?

- No, scout's honor.
- Tell me what?

Um, Francis wanted to be here,

but he's deep into prep.

[SIGHS]

It's official.

You're Michael Corleone.

You got the part, kid.

Evans approved you.
You're opposite Marlon Brando.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

What?

What's going on?

I was told Paramount
would never approve me.

They called me a shrimp,
these guys, right?

No. No.

Al...

I'm doing "The g*ng That
Couldn't sh**t Straight"

for MGM.

That's a comedy.

Al, you're a serious actor.

Michael Corleone
is the part of a lifetime.

I signed a contract.

[ANDREA SIGHS]

I am truly sorry.

You know how badly I want
to do this with you, Francis...

Good luck to you.

We'll figure something out for Michael.

And Evans will get over it.

You didn't hear him on the phone.

He sounded pretty pissed.

[EXHALES DEEPLY] Why'd you do it?

Because Francis needed Pacino.

And I can't lose Francis.

If I lose Francis, I lose the movie.

And at this point,
that's all I have left.

At least no one can say you don't have

a whopping pair of balls on you.

[CHUCKLES]

No, but they can say
I don't have brains.

I mean, Evans took a chance on me

when no one else would.

And now that trust is gone.

My relationship's done.

For what?

You're looking at this the wrong way.

The question you should be
asking yourself...

is, why are we here,

in show business?

We're here because this is the life

that we've chosen, right?

You, me, Bettye, Francis, and Evans,

we all ran away from home
so that we could join the circus,

and everything that we say
to make it seem like

we care about the life
that we could've had...

Wife, kids, house, dog... It's bullshit.

'Cause what's really
making you miserable

isn't the fact that you don't have
a membership at the country club

or the head of a -point buck
on your mantlepiece.

None of that matters.

What you really want in life,

in fact, all you want in life,

is just for a man named Al Pacino

to pretend he's a man
named Michael Corleone.

And you're right
to be miserable over this.

It is that important.

'Cause I feel the same way.

And we can only be around other people

who understand that.

Everyone else is just a civilian.

♪ [PROCUL HARUM'S
"A WHITER SHADE OF PALE"]



SINGER: ♪ We skipped
the light fandango ♪



♪ Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor ♪



♪ I was feeling kind of seasick ♪



♪ But the crowd called out for more ♪



♪ The room was humming harder ♪



♪ As the ceiling flew away ♪



♪ When we called out for another drink ♪

♪ The waiter brought a tray ♪

♪ And so it was that later ♪



♪ As the miller told his tale ♪



♪ That her face, at first just ghostly ♪

♪ Turned a whiter shade of pale ♪
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