Preloading

Behind-the-Scenes Stories from The Godfather Set

Season 5
Aired on 11/08/2015 | CC tv-14
Since its release in 1972, The Godfather has been widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. This crime drama, which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, featured an all-star cast that included Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Robert Duvall.

Robert, who played the Mafia family's trusted counselor, says that while the subject matter was very serious, his co-stars often cracked jokes between scenes. "Brando loved Jimmy Caan, because Jimmy's a funny guy," he says. "Jimmy will tell a joke, and it'll take Brando three seconds to get it."

To keep things loose on the set, Robert says the actors would pull all sorts of antics, many of which centered around revered Oscar® winner Marlon Brando. "Brando would read his lines—he does it very well—but we'd take it away when he wasn't looking and put a wedding invitation. They'd have to yell cut, and Francis would say, 'Come on, guys,'" Robert says. "But he knew that by fooling around, it was good to keep relaxation on the set."

In the above video, watch as Robert reveals what joke earned him a dirty look from Brando.

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