How did the Don become the Don? A new prequel to “The Godfather” promises to explain the “unknown history” of how Vito Corleone rose to power in Depression-era New York. Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group, announced on Wednesday that it would publish “The Family Corleone,” a book based on a screenplay by Mario Puzo, in June of next year. Mr. Puzo died in 1999, but the book has the blessing of his estate. “The Family Corleone” was written by Ed Falco, the author of three novels and the winner of a Pushcart Prize. “The Godfather” was first published in 1969 and has sold more than 21 million copies. (via The Godfather, Before He Was - NYTimes)

How did the Don become the Don? A new prequel to “The Godfather” promises to explain the “unknown history” of how Vito Corleone rose to power in Depression-era New York. Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group, announced on Wednesday that it would publish “The Family Corleone,” a book based on a screenplay by Mario Puzo, in June of next year. Mr. Puzo died in 1999, but the book has the blessing of his estate. “The Family Corleone” was written by Ed Falco, the author of three novels and the winner of a Pushcart Prize. “The Godfather” was first published in 1969 and has sold more than 21 million copies.

(via The Godfather, Before He Was - NYTimes)

  • The New York Times

“An interesting poll from The Press Association today. According to a study of 1500 by the UK video rental firm Lovefilm, “The Godfather” is the #1 movie most people claim to have seen, but haven’t. According to this poll, almost one out of every three people say they have seen “The Godfather” under false pretenses. The rest of the top five most lied about movies are “Casablanca,” “Taxi Driver,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and “Reservoir Dogs.”

“The Godfather” Tops List of Movies People Lie About Seeing - IFC