Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: Episode Summary - "Married to the Mob"

Episode Release Date: March 26, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Married to the Mob," Mark Seal and Nathan King delve deep into the tumultuous journey behind the making of Francis Ford Coppola's iconic film, The Godfather. Drawing from new and archival interviews, the hosts uncover the intense opposition the film faced from both studio executives and real-life mafiosi, painting a vivid picture of the challenges that nearly prevented this cinematic masterpiece from coming to fruition.

The Italian American Civil Rights League and Joe Colombo

The episode begins by introducing Joe Colombo, the founder of the Italian American Civil Rights League (IACRL), established in 1970. Colombo aimed to combat the pervasive stereotypes of Italian Americans as inherently linked to organized crime. Anthony Colombo Jr., Joe's grandson, provides insights into Joe's motivations:

"There are Italian American organized criminals, but there are organized criminals in every ethnicity. And so the Justice Department has only labeled and stigmatized one ethnic community, an Italian American community, and it's unfair."
— Anthony Colombo Jr., [05:35]

Joe Colombo further explains the personal impetus behind forming the league:

"April of 1970, the FBI arrested his son and charged him with a scam to melt down coins and sell the silver. Colombo thought this was harassment, so he decided to get a group together and protest it outside FBI headquarters."
— Joe Colombo, [06:11]

Opposition to The Godfather

As The Godfather entered production, resistance emerged almost immediately. Al Ruddy, the film's producer, recounts early threats aimed at halting the project:

"A mysterious man shows up in the office of Paramount, supposedly with a check for $1 million, which he would give them in exchange for dropping the picture. Death threats became routine. Ruddy began keeping a .45 pistol in his desk."
— Joe Colombo, [04:17]

The IACRL became the most vocal opponent, fearing that the film would perpetuate negative stereotypes about Italian Americans. Anthony Colombo Jr. highlights the league's concerns:

"When Mario Puzo's book became a bestseller and was going to be made into a movie, there were efforts to combat that by my grandfather in the League."
— Anthony Colombo Jr., [08:44]

Intimidation and Threats

The threats escalated beyond verbal warnings to tangible intimidation. Joe Colombo details incidents that heightened tensions:

"Al Ruddy became so paranoid that he and Betty would routinely swap cars to throw off any would-be trackers. And one night while driving Ruddy's Fassel Vega convertible, Betty saw a car following her all the way home. Shots rang out over the neighborhood, and all the windows had been shot out of the Fazel Vega—a clear warning."
— Joe Colombo, [10:43]

Despite these threats, Ruddy and his team persisted, moving production to New York but encountering constant disruptions orchestrated by the mob.

Negotiating with Joe Colombo

Faced with increasing obstacles, Al Ruddy sought a resolution by arranging a meeting with Joe Colombo. Facilitated by Eddie Goldstone, a talent agent with influential connections, the meeting aimed to negotiate terms that would allow the film's completion.

Upon their first face-to-face interaction, Joe Colombo set forth three conditions:

1. Removal of Specific Terms: Delete the words "Mafia" and "Cosa Nostra" from the script.
2. Script Review: Allow the IACRL to review and revise any content deemed damaging to Italian American image.
3. Charitable Contribution: Donate proceeds from the film's New York premiere to the league's hospital fund.

Al Ruddy agreed to all terms, marking an unprecedented concession in Hollywood:

"He agrees to all of it, which is a pretty unprecedented deal for a Hollywood producer to make."
— Joe Colombo, [17:18]

Despite initial skepticism, Ruddy moved forward, believing that cooperation was essential to overcome the production hurdles.

Public Backlash and Paramount's Dilemma

To solidify their newfound alliance, Joe Colombo organized a press conference to announce the partnership between the IACRL and the film's production team. However, the media's reception was overwhelmingly negative:

"The Times called the deal a hypocritical, craven act of voluntary self-censorship. And the Village Voice wrote, if you want to produce a film on the Mafia, please ask their permission first."
— Joe Colombo, [21:55]

The unfavorable press caused Gulf and Western, the parent company, to experience a stock drop of two and a half points. Al Ruddy found himself facing termination:

"Ruddy goes into Bludorn's office the next day. Charlie Bludorn is livid, saying, 'You wreck my company.' But Francis Coppola intervened, convincing Bludorn that Ruddy was essential to completing the film, leading to Ruddy's reinstatement."
— Joe Colombo, [23:02]

Overcoming the Odds

With Al Ruddy back on board, the production gained newfound momentum. Joe Colombo leveraged his influence to facilitate smooth operations:

"Any problem the movie had, all they had to do was call Joe Colombo."
— Joe Colombo, [23:02]

The collaborative effort between the filmmakers and the IACRL overcame the initial resistance, leading to the successful completion of The Godfather. The episode highlights how external pressures and internal negotiations shaped the film's legacy, ultimately contributing to its portrayal of Italian American culture in a nuanced light.

Conclusion

"Married to the Mob" offers an intricate look into the behind-the-scenes battles that defined the making of The Godfather. Through candid interviews and detailed narratives, Mark Seal and Nathan King illuminate the delicate balance between preserving cultural identity and achieving cinematic greatness. The episode underscores the profound impact of The Godfather on both Hollywood and the perception of Italian Americans in society.

Notable Quotes

• Joe Colombo, discussing early threats:
  "Death threats became routine. Ruddy began keeping a .45 pistol in his desk."
  [04:17]

• Anthony Colombo Jr., on stereotypes:
  "There are Italian American organized criminals, but there are organized criminals in every ethnicity... it's unfair."
  [05:45]

• Joe Colombo, on the press conference backlash:
  "The Times called the deal a hypocritical, craven act of voluntary self-censorship."
  [21:55]

Further Information

For a more comprehensive understanding, listeners are encouraged to refer to Mark Seal's book, Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli, published by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book provides an in-depth exploration of the events and individuals discussed in this episode.

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is a production of AIR MAIL and iHeartMedia, offering listeners an engaging exploration of cinematic history and its real-world implications.