When Frank Sinatra tried to force an actor to quit ‘The Godfather’: “Get off my back”
There are some films that we might have an irrational hatred of for no reason other than the fact that they didn’t quite gel with us. It could be the feverish story of Cat in the Hat or the work of Ridley Scott, but there is something out there for everyone to hate, even if you can’t quite put your finger on why.
In the case of Frank Sinatra, there was one cult classic film that he was vehemently and bizarrely against, trying to stop the production at all costs and doing his best to thwart its screenplay being completed.
When you think of Frank Sinatra, you perhaps don’t think of a back-stabbing and ruthless figure who was intent on destroying cinema, but in this particular case, the easy-breezy singer became a menace to the production of one of the greatest films of all time, honing in his efforts to stop Mario Puzo from adapting the screenplay for The Godfather.
The Godfather is the crowning glory of Francis Ford Coppola’s career, with the 1972 film becoming a pillar of success in the New Hollywood movement and the ultimate Italian mob story. From the majestic score and epic performances, it’s a film that never fades in popularity and was met with intense praise after its release. But while many might love it, Sinatra was strangely against it, having a famous argument in a Hollywood restaurant with Mario Puzo, telling him to “Go ahead and choke” after he learned about the novel’s adaptation for the screen.
Sinatra owned the hotel where Puzo researched his novel, which could maybe be why the singer was so heavily invested in the production, but even then, this loose tie barely makes sense in justifying his anger. Before the novel was even published, Sinatra wrote a letter to Puzo demanding to see the manuscript, even though he had no official connection to the material.
The singer lurked over the rest of the production and also had intense ideas about who should play Johnny Fontane, a character who people later speculated was based on him. While the role was eventually played by Al Martino, the singer had strong objections to the idea of him playing the part, calling him up and trying to dissuade him from taking up the role.
But Martino spoke to Sinatra’s agent on the phone, saying, “Now look, Jimmy. You pick up that telephone and you call Frank up and you tell Frank just this. You say that Al Martino called me—you—and said that I should tell you that I’m playing this part in this big movie and to get off my back. Now I’m gonna hang up the telephone. You decide whether you want to call Frank and tell him that. I suggest you do that. After all, I’m still paying you, Jim.”
Eventually, Martino booked the role, but the character was tainted by ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ incessant interference and watchful eye over the production, making sure they were aware of his disapproval and flaring up each time the film was mentioned.
