Heritage Makes You An Offer You Can't Refuse! Brando's Annotated Godfather Script to be Offered at Auction

DALLAS, TEXAS: When movie buffs get together and discuss the greatest films of all time, there's little doubt that Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 cosa nostra epic, The Godfather, will be mentioned. With classic performances by Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and, of course, Marlon Brando, how could it not be? Winner of several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, The Godfather is a revered classic, one that will no doubt stand the test of time for years and years to come.

Due to its immense popularity, collectible items from this landmark film are highly prized by film aficionados, particularly items related to the movie's legendary star, Marlon Brando. Minor props and signed photos trade for impressive sums, on the rare occasion that they are offered at all.

"Offered in our upcoming auction is an item for which any Godfather fan, which is just about everybody, would send their own brother to 'sleep with the fishes,'" said Doug Norwine, Director of Music and Entertainment Auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "It's Marlon Brando's personal script for this classic film, both signed and annotated by the great star himself."

"This is a third-draft copy of the script," Norwine said, "handsomely bound in red faux-leather - it's interesting to note that principals got red-bound scripts while players and those with smaller parts were given blue-bound scripts - and dated March 29, 1971. It was kept in Brando's dressing room during filming, and used to refresh the actor on the lines he needed to know for upcoming scenes, although, ironically, he ended up reading most of his lines from cue cards. The script is boldly signed in pencil on the title page and bears several fascinating annotations in the actor's own hand."

"This is, without a doubt, the pinnacle of Godfather collectibles," Norwine said. "It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Alice Marchak, Brando's assistant, who originally had charge of the script, and who would bring it to Brando's dressing room during filming. Believe me, it doesn't get any better than this."

Also offered in the upcoming Heritage auction is a treasure-trove of Brando memorabilia, much of it never before offered to the collecting public. Included in this impressive collection are such gems as a set photograph by renowned photographer Jack Stanger, from Brando's personal archives, of Brando, Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather, and Red Buttons, who became a close friend of Brando during the filming of Sayonara in 1957, as well as Brando's Apocalypse Now contract for the DVD release, signed by both Marlon and Coppola. In addition, bidders will have an opportunity to compete for several intriguing photographs of Brando by Mary Ellen Mark from such productions as Apocalypse Now and The Missouri Breaks, and even Brando's heavily-annotated script for the 1996 remake of The Island of Dr. Moreau.

"There's so much to be excited about in this auction," said Norwine, "like the pieces of personal correspondence between Brando and Tennessee Williams and the BAFTA Award (British Academy Award) that he won for Viva Zapata in 1952. Any fan of film owes it to themselves to visit our website at www.HA.com/Entertainment and view these incredible items for themselves. You can even place your bids while you're there!"

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer Marlon Brando's personally signed and annotated script for The Godfather in their upcoming Signature auction, to be held October 6 & 7, 2006, at their headquarters in Dallas, TX.

Marlon Brando's Personal The Godfather Script - Signed and Annotated:
ESTIMATE: $50,000 & up

Marlon Brando, Mario Puzo, and Red Buttons The Godfather Set Photo by Jack Stager:
ESTIMATE: $500 & up

Apocalypse Now DVD Release Contract Signed by Marlon Brando and Francis Ford Coppola:
ESTIMATE: $5,000 & up

Marlon Brando With Dragonfly Photo by Mary Ellen Mark:
ESTIMATE: $600 & up

The Missouri Breaks Cast Photo by Mary Ellen Mark:
ESTIMATE: $500 & up

Marlon Brando's Annotated Personal Script for The Island of Dr. Moreau:
ESTIMATE: $2,500 & up

Marlon Brando and Tennessee Williams Correspondence:
ESTIMATE: $1,200 & up

Marlon Brando's BAFTA Award for Viva Zapata!:
ESTIMATE: $7,000 & up

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of Entertainment, Celebrity or Hollywood memorabilia are invited to www.HA.com/Entertainment and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Doug Norwine at DougN@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HA.com to order by email.