Original subtitles

RUDDY: This is what it's all about, the excitement.

You've got 300 people all watching the same thing,

reacting in real time, just feeding off each other.

I mean, that's magic, baby.

I need to be in the movies.

ANDREA: "Why are we here?" In show business.

Because this is the life that we've chosen.

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

Bob. What are you doing here?

Well, that's not the greeting I was expecting.

- I'm sorry. You just... - Is there somebody in there?

It's McQueen, isn't it?

RUDDY: What happened with Ali?

She's gone.

BETTYE: I was thinking about what I want to do next.

And I'm thinking of maybe becoming an agent.

- Why an agent? - I really like actors.

I mean, they're delusional.

They have to be if they think they're gonna make it in this business.

This movie cannot be longer than two hours.

A normal two-hour movie can run five showings in a day,

but your masterpiece can only run three.

Guess what? We're going with the longer cut.

- That's great news. - Lapidus wasn't wrong.

There are huge risks to doing it the way we're doing it.

With the longer cut, there's no way we're ready for Christmas.

Or even a month later, audience attendances drop like a fucking brick.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)

(GROANS, SIGHS)

(EXHALES)

Francis, what are you doing in here?

I can't watch them watching it.

What happened to "I'm not nervous. I'm proud of my work"?

I lied.

Listen, buddy, you got nothing to worry about.

- They're going to love it. - Well, this is a first.

"Director and producer of highly anticipated film

"spend premiere in the john."

It's a bold choice, boys, but I like it.

(LAUGHS)

(GROANS)

A dozen spots on either side, and you come stand next to me, huh?

- I didn't want you to feel lonely. - (CHUCKLES)

What about you, Francis? You feeling left out, too, huh?

Come on, pal. Saddle up.

I don't understand how you're so calm, Evans.

Bubbe, I'm always calm.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Motherfucking Cabaret!

I thought it was pretty good. I like the dancing.

Well, of course you do.

The man who created a comedy about Nazis loves a musical about Nazis.

I mean, are you sure you're even Jewish? Huh?

I'm sure.

Look, I don't know why you're so worked up about Cabaret.

They open way before we do.

Yeah. On Valentine's Day weekend.

Officially the last fucking gasp of getting an audience.

Opening The Godfather in March is going to fuck us big time.

We've got a great movie.

It doesn't matter if nobody sees it.

If The Godfather doesn't open big, and I mean big,

Bluhdorn's gonna literally eat my heart for breakfast.

It's a good thing Bluhdorn loves The Godfather.

Bluhdorn loves money.

If it works, he's a hero. If it tanks, it's on me.

And you, by association,

because your cute little tuchus is hitched to my wagon.

No, no, no.

If The Godfather's gonna stand any chance...

we've got to do something different here.

Like what?

If you hadn't been so obsessed

- with the editing on this... - We both need this to work.

I said that we should use the shorter cut.

I did. I said, "Let's use the shorter cut.

"We can have this movie out by Christmas." Why?

Because Christmas is the best time to open movies, isn't it?

Yeah, I know that.

Christ. You're really enjoying this, aren't you?

No.

- Oh, maybe a little. - Barry.

I may have underestimated you in the past,

but right now I need your amazing business brain

to go off the edge of the graph paper and think outside the box on this.

- Okay? - Okay.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Well, we're too late for this year's Oscars,

and we're too early for next year's.

There's no big holiday weekend left.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...

- What was that? - Nothing. It's crazy.

Crazy's good. I like crazy.

It's never been done before.

Now I'm tingling with anticipation.

I'm practically erect.

It's too risky.

Nothing good ever came from playing it safe.

Come on, Barry. Pitch it.

How quickly can you come to New York City?

I read the Mark Zuckerman script.

- What do you think? - It needs work.

- You read it? - Hard pass.

Sue Mengers had the one that...

About the couple in the beach house. Yeah, no thanks.

I still have nightmares

- from her working with Francoise. - Oh, God.

We need to get something going, and fast.

Francis is already shooting The Conversation.

Bob's got half a dozen movies going.

Even Puzo's fielding offers.

And what am I doing? Running in fucking place.

So what's the play?

If the agents aren't sending us good enough material,

then we create our own.

A treatment?

"By Albert S. Ruddy"?

Hmm.

God damn.

I loved it.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

When did you get this idea?

I've had it for a long time, actually.

It was the first thing I wrote after I sold Hogan's.

Wow.

A team of misfits tries to make the impossible happen.

- That sounds familiar. (CHUCKLES) - That's it.

Bettye, I need you to apply your talent brain on this

and think about who could star in it.

I'm going to meet with Bob as soon as he gets back from New York.

Okay.

(DOOR SLAMS)

CHARLIE: Send Tweedledee and Tweedledumber in.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Bluhdorn will see you now.

Yes. Thank you, sweetheart. We've got it.

- After you, Barry. - Thank you, Bob.

- See you got some new clubs. - Yeah.

What do you want? I'm busy.

Well, come on. What is it? Speak!

We feel The Godfather may need some help for the opening.

Oh, you think so?

Well, you're opening in fucking March. Whose idiotic idea was that?

It doesn't matter because Barry's got a brilliant idea.

We block book.

Usually we'd book just a few specific theaters to open...

Yeah, I know how the business works.

- Don't tell me what I already know. - Listen!

(SIGHS)

We block book a huge number of theaters, 300 at least.

We spend an unprecedented amount of money on the prints,

but we make that first day a juggernaut.

If we release it in that many theaters at once,

everybody will see it at the same time.

It's all anyone's gonna be talking about.

BARRY: We get more bang for our initial ad campaign,

and we front-load sales like never before.

It's a brilliant idea, Charlie.

There's already a huge amount of buzz about the movie.

It'll create headlines beyond Variety.

Think about it. Forbes, Wall Street Journal,

Financial fucking Times.

What if no one shows?

Then we're out a shit ton of your money on the spend, Charlie.

But if it works, we make film history, we reinvent the distribution business.

The idea of losing money gives me a rash.

But do it.

Now, get out.

Thank you.

And, Evans...

you know who I want at that premiere.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Thank you, Barry.

You son of a gun, Barry. I love it, baby.

Who is he talking about for the premiere?

Huh? Oh.

Kissinger.

He's a friend. But what Charlie doesn't seem to grasp

is that the Secretary of State

might have slightly more important things on his agenda

than slumming it in Hollywood.

(CHUCKLES) Yeah, well, good luck with that.

Win or lose, Barry, it's a hell of an idea you had in there.

Yeah, well, thank you.

Just... Let's see what happens.

Yeah.

Do you know what they say the leading cause of divorce is, Bob?

Marriage.

I've been married three times. Did you know that?

I did not.

The first wife, she just gutted me.

Got the second wife to try and replace the first wife, but that didn't stick.

(BARRY SIGHS)

The trick of it

is you've got to find something you love more than her.

And for you, the third wife was the charm?

No, money was the charm for me. But the third wife's a close second.

Hmm.

- Hey, Sheila. - Hi, Bob. Ali is on line two.

Huh?

- Ali, line two. - Thanks.

- Sheila. - Hi, Al.

- Give him a sec. - Okay.

How's his mood today?

I'll tell you in a minute.

Yeah, it's a nice surprise.

ALI: (ON PHONE) Sorry about the article.

They told me it was only going to be about the movie.

So, it's not true?

It's complicated.

Well, I appreciate the call.

Wait. Can I come over sometime? I'd really like to talk to you.

Yeah, no, I'd like that. When were you thinking?

Tonight. I know it's last minute, but I can come by the house.

Tonight is perfect. I am looking forward to it.

- See you tonight. - All right. Bye.

Sheila, call La Scala.

EVANS: Tell Jean Leon I need a favor tonight.

- Mood is good. - Mood is good.

Thanks.

Hey. How was New York?

Well, Lapidus' idea is crazy, but it might just work.

Why play it safe when we can crash and burn, right?

Hey, you wanna play it safe? Go back to programming computers.

Fair enough.

Listen, Bob, there's something I want to talk to you about.

It's a new idea that I'm very passionate about.

What's America's favorite pastime?

- Baseball. - No, football.

SHEILA: I've got Bluhdorn on line one.

I'll be right there.

He wants to know if you've spoken to Kissinger.

Oh, fuck me. It never ends.

Look, Ruddy, I want to know all about your life.

Who you're dating, what you had for lunch,

what kind of underwear you have on. But right now, I can't.

Bluhdorn's still using my ass like it's his own personal jungle gym.

We'll talk about your idea another time, okay?

Charlie, what's going on?

Huh?

I have left messages all over town.

RUDDY: If he's not gonna listen to my pitch,

then we need to get a star that Bob can't say no to.

Who are you thinking?

We know he's got a hard-on for Nicholson.

Right.

- What? Jack's a great actor. - Yeah.

But you need somebody big and strong and sexy.

Okay. Like who?

Burt Reynolds.

That's a great idea.

Call his agent tomorrow, set a meeting.

With pleasure.

Jean.

Jean.

How we doing?

- Everything is ready, Mr. Evans. - Yeah.

The beef Wellington will rest here.

- You can serve in 25 minutes. - I've got it.

Niçoise is in the refrigerator. Dressing's on table.

You're a genius.

Okay, use the back door.

- It was a pleasure to help you. - I know. I appreciate it.

Go, go, go. Ciao.

Hang on.

(EXHALES)

Hey.

Did you lose your key? You don't have to knock.

I don't live here anymore.

Come here. Come here.

Wow. You...

- You look fantastic. - You, too.

Thanks for making time on such short notice.

I'm glad you called. You've been on my mind a lot.

I was hoping that we'd have the chance to...

I want this to be easy.

I swear that when you called today,

even though we haven't spoken for a while,

it's like you were in the room with me.

I could paint your face with a blindfold on.

Ali...

the biggest mistake of my life was letting you slip away.

And I know I let my job take over my life,

and I don't have to do that anymore.

I'm a different man than I was even six months ago.

I don't have to prove anything or be anyone.

I know that I can have both things, a career and a life.

And that's what I want, to do both.

With you.

You can't, Bob.

It's not who you are.

It's one of the things I loved the most about you.

I've never met anyone who loves what they do more than you.

I'm worried that I can't do it without you.

You already have.

Which is why I had to leave.

Yeah.

Well, I guess this, uh... (CHUCKLES)

I guess this means that you won't be joining me for The Godfather premiere.

You really want me there, or just the version of me

that lets you say "fuck off" to the press?

(BOTH LAUGH)

Sadly...

Sadly, it's the former. But I would really enjoy the latter.

I'm sorry this went down the way it did.

I'm sorry, too.

Be good to yourself.

You know me.

Bye, Ali.

Goodbye, Bob.

Okay, your itinerary is inside,

and it's just you and Evans on the plane.

Good. I like a captive audience.

How are we doing setting that Burt Reynolds meeting?

His schedule's tight, but we'll get him.

- Soon as possible. - Mm-hmm.

Hey.

Good luck.

To the both of us.

Car's here. Ruddy's meeting you on the tarmac.

Bob? You all right?

I'm fine.

The premiere tickets are in here.

The limo in New York will pick you up at 7:00 sharp,

so that should give you enough time to shower at the hotel.

(PHONE RINGING)

Bob Evans' office.

Uh, yes, of course, sir.

It's him. It's him.

- Him, who? - Kissinger.

Henry, bubbe, did you save the world yet?

KISSINGER: What's the emergency?

I was in a meeting with the joint chiefs.

Just a front row ticket

to the hottest movie the world has ever seen, The Godfather.

I need you there with me at the premiere. Charlie, too.

I wish, but I'm supposed to fly to Moscow tomorrow.

Can't you delay? Seriously? Mother Russia's not going anywhere.

I don't think I can.

Please, Henry. I could really use an ally tonight.

And I'll owe you, pal.

I'll try, Evans. But no promises.

All right. Thanks, Henry.

- Don't pity me, Sheila. - I'm not.

- Car's waiting. - Thanks.

You know, I have this recurring dream about The Godfather premiere.

I got Ali on one arm, I got Kissinger on the other,

and it's a perfect night.

Sounds silly, I know. But I've had it in my head a really long time.

It doesn't sound silly at all.

This is gonna be huge, Ruddy. I know it.

Tonight's premiere is just the beginning.

And with Ali gone, I'm doubling down on it all.

I want to talk to you about the next one. (CLEARS THROAT)

So, I'm meeting with Burt Reynolds as soon as we get back

to talk about that project I mentioned to you.

- He's really into it. - Ruddy...

And I'm thinking, hear me out, we get Francis to write and direct it.

I know you don't immediately think of Francis Coppola in sports,

but he's the guy.

Ruddy, your little movie's gonna have to wait,

'cause we're doing The Godfather sequel first.

Francis is right. We can't wait on this.

Bob, we don't even know if this one's gonna be a hit yet.

We can't be banking on a sequel.

And I know it's just a treatment right now,

but this "little movie" is starting to get a lot of momentum to it.

And I think if we can get it off the ground

while The Godfather is rolling out...

Ruddy, there is no other pick right now.

This is it. There's more of a meal here.

First rule of Hollywood, never leave anything on your plate.

Look, if this thing hits,

it's the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,

and you and I are sitting at the end

like a couple of good-looking leprechauns.

I need your full attention on this. It's important.

Do you understand?

Do you ever wonder why they fly out all the way over the ocean,

only to turn around and head the other way?

Look, I know that you and I haven't always agreed on everything.

And fuck me, you did some pretty dubious shit.

But for the most part, I think,

you did a really good job producing your movie.

Our movie. It's our movie, Bob.

It's your name on the poster, pal.

To The Godfather.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Hey.

Hey.

What are you doing here?

I'm giving the press something to write about.

One last time.

("ROCKET MAN" BY ELTON JOHN PLAYING)

(WHISPERS) Thank you.

(CROWD CLAMORING)

(CLAMORING CONTINUES)

- Al Ruddy! - Ruddy!

- Can you turn this way, please? - Al! Al! Al Ruddy, give us a smile.

- Hey, Ruddy. Over here. - Mr. Ruddy!

Mr. Ruddy, over here!

Congrats, Mr. Ruddy.

- Congrats, Al. - Thanks for coming.

- Congratulations, Al. - It means a lot. Thank you. Thank you.

- Mazel tov, Al. - Hey.

- There he is, Mario Puzo. - Hey.

Hey, buddy. How the hell have you been?

Oh, you're not going to believe this.

I wrote a treatment for Warner Brothers.

- A treatment for what? - Superman.

All right. It was one page long. Guess how much they paid me?

- A million bucks. - Get the fuck out of here.

For one page?

They wanted to say, "From the author of The Godfather."

- Well, they got off cheap then. - (LAUGHS)

Hey, let me finish this and I'll see you in a sec.

- Yeah, you got it. - All right.

(CROWD CHEERING)

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Evans.

Henry! Bubbe, you made it.

- The Russians can wait. - I'm touched.

(CHARLIE CACKLES)

- Hey, Charlie. We're finally here, bud. - Yeah.

That son of a bitch. He did it. He really did it.

- Evans actually got Kissinger. Wow. - Yeah.

You see, I told you, I got a good feeling about this movie.

- Congratulations, Al. - Thanks, Barry.

Charlie.

- Henry. Thank you so much for coming. - Hi.

- Evans, you did it! - Now, you remember Ali.

- Ali. - Hello, Charlie.

It's good to see you.

Francis.

(FRANCIS CHUCKLES)

How we feeling? Are you nervous?

Not at all. No, I'm very proud of my work.

So am I.

(BOTH SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

Go ahead.

Okay.

- Look after my princess here. - Yeah.

- I'll be fine. - This way.

Thanks so much again. Barry!

- Barry. - It's good to see you.

- You look spiffy. I love this. - Congratulations.

Look at us. Three musketeers.

Hey, what the fuck? Where's Puzo? What's going on?

- Mario. - Hey, can I get a shot of you guys?

- Yeah, why not? Why not? - Hey, the brothers.

- Come here. There he is. - (LAUGHS)

Francis, what was it like adapting the book?

Oh, I had a wonderful time working with this gentleman right here.

What are you working on right now?

I'm working on a treatment for Warner Brothers.

Bob, what's up next for Paramount?

Well, we have a wonderful picture, Chinatown,

which is in pre-production, starring Nicholson.

And then we start shooting Serpico with Al Pacino early next year.

And after that, God willing, The Great Gatsby,

written by our very own Francis and starring Robert Redford.

And, Al, what's next up for you?

Well...

You know, the Corleone story might not be finished.

There's a lot in Mario's book that we haven't even touched yet.

The team's all in place.

I mean, what can I say? We got lightning in a bottle.

Mr. Evans, can you confirm that Paramount

is already planning a sequel to The Godfather?

We're jumping the gun.

Let's enjoy this moment,

because the world will never forget it.

Couple of photographs, then we'll get in there.

- Come on. - Get your shot.

REPORTER: All right.

- It's so quiet. That's not a good sign. - (MUFFLED SOUND OF FILM PLAYING)

Francis, relax. You're making me nervous.

But that's it. That's the ending. They hate it.

(MUFFLED SOUND OF AUDIENCE CHEERING)

I told you, we got it. We got it.

The audience, fine. But what about the reviews?

FRANCIS: Okay, we got it. Thank you. Thank you.

Oh, no, no, no. You read it.

(STAMMERS) I can't. You read it.

What does it say?

What does it say?

"The Godfather fans Brando's Old Flame.

"The old, irresistible magic is revived

"in Paramount's The Godfather."

"The immensity of the project must have been staggering."

(ALL APPLAUDING)

Stop it. Thank you, thank you.

That's very kind of you.

BETTYE: "But producer Albert S. Ruddy, director Francis Ford Coppola,

"and screenwriter Mario Puzo, with Coppola, make it seem easy."

"Elements of excitement and suspense

"are sustained in the high peaks of the story.

"Gangland strategy, vendettas, violence, revenge."

Yeah, beautiful. Thank you.

Hey, Al, you need to look at this.

Fucking Waldo Salt?

"The Godfather is a stunning production.

"There never has been and probably never will be

"an ending as wondrously wrought

"as the unforgettable climax of The Godfather."

(CHUCKLES)

Son of a bitch.

You wrote this?

I did. But that's just a treatment, Burt.

So he's a coach.

And he's a quarterback, Burt.

- Can you throw a spiral? - (CHUCKLES)

Yeah, sugar. I could throw the ball.

I thought sports movies scared everybody.

Well, this one's unique because it takes place in prison.

What?

Yeah. The guy breaks up with his girlfriend,

steals her car, does 18 months down south.

I wish you would've told me that before.

Could've saved you some time.

I don't want to do a prison picture.

Well, this movie isn't about prison.

This is about a guy who gets one more chance

to get the dignity back in his life, and he takes it.

It's an underdog story.

And honestly, Burt,

I think you're the only actor alive who can pull it off.

(CHUCKLES)

Al Pacino told me about you.

What did he say?

- Said you were relentless. - (LAUGHS)

Told me how you went to bat for him.

That there's no one else he'd rather have in a foxhole with him.

You sign on, I'll be with you every day,

every step of the fucking way.

And I will kill to make sure the integrity of this movie

is something that we can both be proud of.

Come on, Burt.

I can't believe I'm about to say yes to a prison picture.

Part Two.

We're calling it Part Two.

Well, I love it.

Sells the saga.

So, come on. What are you thinking?

Vito Corleone is not dead.

I'm sorry?

They put him in the fucking ground.

What are you talking about? Is he a ghost?

'Cause Brando will not play a fucking ghost.

The old man is dead.

But the young man who first comes to America is alive.

It takes place turn of the century. Young immigrant Vito,

who, with a sense of justice and brutality,

becomes the feared and powerful businessman.

It's still a commentary on capitalism.

Ruddy doesn't like it. You don't like it?

No. No, I think everything you guys are saying sounds great,

but no Michael.

No Michael? Of course Michael. He's the don now.

Oh, thank fuck.

It takes place in the two time periods,

so we can play the juxtaposition of Vito Corleone

building up his family's empire

while Michael watches his family fracture.

It's just like this country as it hurtles toward the '60s.

Well, I can see you haven't given this much thought.

No, not enough.

EVANS: Come on. Keep going. You got me. I'm interested.

REPORTER: (ON TV) Many of them leaving

the year to the day from the time they arrived.

Ruddy, the TV's here.

- That's the fireplace. - Elizabeth Taylor.

Ugh, I love Liz.

That was a fun night.

You know, I saw her one time.

It was right before I pitched Hogan's Heroes,

and she took my breath away.

Feels like 100 years ago now.

That's because you're not on the outside looking in anymore.

Oh, come on. You never get used to Liz Taylor, right?

That's right. You never do.

Ooh.

But before we tell you about the sunny southern California weather,

let's find out which pictures were nominated

for this year's 45th Academy Awards.

- Gigantic long shot. - Doesn't even matter.

- Not at all. - Biggest box office of all time.

We already won.

MAN: First up, the nominees chosen by members of the Academy

for Actress in a Supporting Role.

Here's to 11 fucking nominations.

Unbelievable.

Oh, now, that is nice.

That's a 1954 Macallan Single Malt, aged in God's finest barrels.

Special drink for a special occasion.

I'm only gonna say this, Ruddy.

I want this so bad, I will fuck the entire Academy if I have to.

What happened to "we already won"?

Sure. But there are other prizes to be had now.

- You still talking about the Oscars? - Hey, I've got plans.

I've just been waiting for the right time,

and that right time is coming soon to a theater near you.

- Thank you. - And, for you too.

Oscar changes everything.

You're in a different category now. This is your moment.

And when they call the nominations for Best Picture,

it'll be your ugly mug on TV. Not mine, you.

Unless, of course, I'm sitting next to you,

which, by the way, I'll be sitting next to you.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Oh, shit.

People are gonna start promising you things.

They're gonna wine and dine you.

But between all the glamor and all the bullshit,

remember, you hold the keys.

It's what you want that matters. Trust your gut.

It's what got you here. I told you once,

some people have brains, some people have balls,

but you have both.

Don't forget that.

Salute.

Salute.

Stevie Phillips wants to set up a call

to discuss talent for The Godfather Il.

Stevie Phillips is going to have to wait.

I'm a little slammed today.

You also have a call set up on Monday with Francis and Mario.

They want to pitch you some new ideas.

Burt Reynolds also called.

He wants to know if you found a writer yet.

He says his window is closing.

Okay.

We're gonna find a writer, Al.

It's not that.

I'm just afraid the sequel is going to kill my other movie.

I don't understand.

You know how it goes.

If I do The Godfather, it's going to take up every aspect of my life.

And then I gotta wait, what, a year, a year and a half

till I can get my own movie going.

I'm gonna lose Burt.

You can do both. Producers do that all the time.

Well, not this one.

I can't do something halfway.

I know.

Oh, hey, before I forget.

Meet me at this address today in Beverly Hills, 2:00.

You got it.

MAN: Al Ruddy?

Yeah.

My name's Eddie Kurland.

I'm sorry to be approaching you like this.

It was just the only chance I could get to talk to you.

Your secretary is really tough.

You a caterer?

It's the only way I could get on the lot.

- Okay. - I want to do what you do.

Make movies.

Here's some advice, kid, do something easier.

- Trust me. - Yeah, I would if I could.

I've seen The Godfather six times. It changed my life.

Now, I've read about the sequel, and I wanna be a part of it,

- any way I can. - You got any experience?

Seen a lot of movies.

Not the same.

You didn't have any experience.

You were a programmer at RAND Corporation

when you sold Hogan's Heroes, right?

Tell you what, leave your name and number at the desk.

If anything comes up, we'll call you.

Thank you, Mr. Ruddy.

You won't regret this.

Regret what? I haven't done anything yet.

You will.

Eddie, this is where you get out of here.

So, what does this mean? You're quitting?

No.

Well, what does he mean? I don't understand.

I think what Bob is pitching is he remain the head of Paramount

while also enjoying a five-picture deal as a producer.

- Did I get that right? - Nail on the head, Barry.

What? (STAMMERS) That's...

You did it, Bob. Charlie's speechless.

CHARLIE: That's two jobs.

How are you going to do two jobs? That's unheard of.

No.

No? What does he mean, "No"?

I can't get him to shut up, and now he's giving me one-word answers.

Again, what Bob is saying is it's not unprecedented.

Darryl Zanuck did it at 20th.

Oh, now he's Darryl Zanuck. You're Darryl Zanuck?

There's a difference.

Darryl Zanuck didn't develop

the highest-grossing movie of all time.

What do you got to lose, Charlie? I'll make you money in both roles.

I double down, you double down.

What's the worst that could happen? It doesn't work out.

You get the pleasure of killing me twice instead of once. (CHUCKLES)

You picked Oscar night on purpose.

Why do you wanna do this, Bob?

I want my name on the poster.

BETTYE: Whoa.

What's with all the secrecy?

You about to tell me you're part of the CIA?

(CHUCKLES) No.

(BETTYE LAUGHS)

This looks like a place where they bring you to kill you.

(RUDDY LAUGHS) Uh-huh.

(RUDDY CLEARS THROAT)

Okay, I give. What are we doing here?

Is this your new office?

No, it's yours.

For your new agency.

You deserve to get your shot.

Ruddy, I can't afford to rent a place like this.

I know. That's why I paid your rent for the next two years.

I can't take your money.

You're not. It's an investment.

Thank you.

You think I'm crazy for doing this?

No.

It's what you want, right?

I mean, it's a lot walking away from a paying job

and going out there on my own.

I get it.

But at least this way, live or die, it's on your terms.

You know what one of the hardest things I ever had to do was?

What?

Telling you that I wanted to become an agent.

I really love working with you.

You're my family.

But still, I had to do this for me.

You understand?

I get it.

No hard feelings.

Okay, come on. Let's go.

We gotta get you ready.

Oh, yeah, about tonight, I need your help with one other thing.

Is it legal?

Stop asking me that.

Wow.

Excuse me, miss, I'm looking for Bettye McCartt.

Al, today is the one day I'll allow you to open my door.

- You clean up nice. - Not so bad yourself.

I believe this is yours.

I didn't think secretaries went to events like this.

Oh, Bettye, you were never just a secretary.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

MALE ANNOUNCER: Nominated here this year

for the Best Achievement in Directing,

they are, Bob Fosse for Cabaret.

FEMALE ANNOUNCER: John Boorman for Deliverance.

MALE ANNOUNCER: Jan Troell for The Emigrants.

FEMALE ANNOUNCER: Francis Ford Coppola for The Godfather.

MALE ANNOUNCER: And the winner is...

Bob Fosse for Cabaret.

(AUDIENCE CHEERING)

EVANS: You'll get it next time, Francis.

Next time, my friend.

MALE ANNOUNCER: For the Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium...

And the winner is...

Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola for The Godfather.

I told you. I told you!

- (AUDIENCE CHEERING) - (EVANS LAUGHS)

I told you, bubbe.

MALE ANNOUNCER: Those nominated for the Best Performance by an Actor are...

FEMALE ANNOUNCER: The winner is Marlon Brando in The Godfather.

MALE ANNOUNCER: Accepting the award for Marlon Brando

is Miss Sacheen Littlefeather.

This should be interesting.

MALE ANNOUNCER: To present the award for Best Picture,

Dirty Harry himself, Mr. Clint Eastwood.

EASTWOOD: These are diverse and distinguished...

Let's go.

Are you crazy? This is the last award.

It's Cabaret's night. Let's go.

No. I put on a real dress. I'm not leaving.

...The Godfather and Albert S. Ruddy, production Paramount.

And the winner is...

Albert S. Ruddy, The Godfather.

(AUDIENCE CHEERING)

Brando, Pacino, Caan, Duvall, Keaton, Cazale.

Now, with an incredibly talented cast like that,

it's no wonder that we're here celebrating

Best Picture of the Year, The Godfather.

(ALL CHEERING)

Yeah!

Now, it takes an incredible team,

an incredible team, to make a classic motion picture.

And I'd like to start by thanking the man,

who in addition to suggesting the visionary Francis Ford Coppola...

- Thank you. - Yes, man! Yes!

Also had the wherewithal to option

an unpublished, 60-page treatment by Mario Puzo

which turned into one of the biggest-selling novels of all time.

People are looking at me right now, but I'm saying,

"No! Hell no!"

Please, and I mean this, raise your glasses.

The unsung hero, Peter Bart!

(ALL CHEERING)

Without whom none of this would be possible.

I want another round of applause.

Peter Bart!

(CHEERING CONTINUES)

Yeah.

And last, but by no means least,

the man "I made an offer he couldn't refuse,"

Mr. Al Ruddy. Stand up.

Mr. Producer, my friend, Al Ruddy!

- (ALL CHEERING) - Thank you.

Who did an incredible job. Incredible job.

And everybody else save the date 'cause I got a funny feeling

we're gonna be right back here

celebrating the success of The Godfather Part Il,

coming to a theater near you soon.

- Yeah! - (CHEERING CONTINUES)

So, as my Italian friends like to say...

cin fucking cin.

- All right. Have a great night. - (ALL LAUGHING AND CHEERING)

All right.

You are a mensch.

- I love you, bubbe. - Love you more.

You deserve the Earth. I'm gonna make sure you get it.

So, you know, I think, surprise of the night?

Brando's acceptance speech or lack thereof.

I thought that took balls. I was surprised that they booed her.

I was surprised Pacino lost.

I thought he would have been a shoo-in.

No. You have Duvall, Caan, Pacino,

all nominated in the supporting actor category.

What happens? They split the vote.

If not for that, we would have ended up at the top.

We would have, but we didn't, so you better pay up, baby.

All right. Maybe we should double it.

Next year, if I don't pay you now...

I'll pay you... Excuse me. Sorry.

Have you got company?

Bettye.

Thank you.

What happened to you?

What do you mean?

Someone turned you into a real girl.

(CHUCKLES)

You're funny, Charlie.

Cin fucking cin.

- Francis. - There he is.

Yes.

You were robbed of Best Director.

Get off.

Fosse was wonderful. And Cabaret was Cabaret.

Never seen it. Don't intend to. Not joking.

How's the script going with Puzo?

(BOTH LAUGHING)

- Some things never change. - Yeah.

It might be better than the first one.

That's my boy.

Al! Al!

All right, come on. Come on, hand it over.

Oh, you beautiful, androgynous god.

I think he's sexy, even as a eunuch.

I didn't look. We're just friends.

Best Picture, bubbe.

- I know. - We did it.

- I know. - This is just the start.

We'll do it all over again with The Godfather Part Il.

Yeah.

I need to talk to you about something.

Oh, come on. Look at you.

You just won the Academy Award for Best Picture,

and you look like someone pissed in your cornflakes.

I'm not doing the sequel.

You're joking, right?

No, I'm not.

What the fuck are you talking about, huh?

You put your blood into this, and it paid off.

This is gold. Sure thing, easy street.

Maybe easy street's overrated.

Oh, hang on. Is this about money?

You're gonna hold me hostage for more money on Oscar night?

- Come on. - No. Come on, Bob.

This has nothing to do with money.

I want to make my movie.

What? Oh, my God! What, the football movie?

It's a story that I have to tell.

Fine. Tell it later. Down the road.

No, I can't.

The opportunity to make that movie is right now, and I'm taking it.

Look, the sequel is gonna be great. The cast is in place.

They're working on a great story.

Al, you got the rights to what's going to be

the most anticipated sequel of all time,

and you're gonna, what, you're gonna throw it all away?

No. No, I don't want to throw those rights away.

I want to trade them to you for a green light on my movie.

Look, Bob, I will never forget what you did for me,

and Francis and Mario.

I mean, you guys are my family.

My fucked up, dysfunctional family that I love dearly.

And you took a chance on me when no one else would,

and I will never forget that.

This is something I gotta do right now on my own.

I don't understand that. How can you just walk away?

Because I can, I guess.

I'm trusting my gut.

That's what got me here in the first place, right?

Look, you do this, and you fail...

it's all yours.

That's the only way I want it.

All right.

Thanks, bubbe.

- You're a class act, Bob. - Thank you.

Thank you for everything.

Hell of a run.

(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)

It was a hard choice to make, but it's the only one I could live with.

Still think you made the right decision?

Time will tell, Burt.

EDDIE: Excuse me, gentlemen.

Sir, we're about ready to roll.

Longest Yard. Scene 52. Take one.

Roll sound. Sound speed.

Camera.

And background!

Action!