Sometimes I read interesting wire stories, and the latest dispute over “The Godfather” franchise rights falls into that category, as it will be determined in federal court if the heirs of creator Mario Puzo, who died in 1999, or Paramount Pictures retain certain rights to the franchise's future.
Paramount Pictures claims it purchased from Puzo all rights and copyright interests for future works in 1969, and it sued the late author's estate when it attempted to publish the sequel “The Family Corleone,” which was eventually published in May.
The estate claims, on the other hand, the original agreement excluded book publication rights, and Paramount does not own film rights to new books.
How will this end up? It is anybody's guess. However, we can have a little fun with a quiz.
1. What was so unusual about Marlon Brando's win as Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Academy Awards?
2. Who directed the film?
3. “The Godfather: Part II” made history when it won the Academy Award for Best Picture. What happened?
4. How did Al Pacino make history starring in “The Godfather” and “The Godfather: Part II?”
Answers: 1. Brando did not attend the ceremony. He instead sent a Native American woman, Sacheen Littlefeather, in his place. 2. Francis Ford Coppola. 3. The film was the first sequel to win in that category. 4. Pacino was twice nominated for an Academy Award for playing the same role in both films.
