Mário Puzo

Novelist Mario Puzo. The author best known for his novel "The Godfather" died last week. We rebroadcast his interview, recorded in 1996 at the time of his novel "The Last Don" Besides "The Godfather," Puzo wrote "The Fortunate Pilgrim," and "The Dark Arena," both novels. He was also a two-time Academy Award winner and wrote several screenplays, including all three Godfathers and Superman I and II. (REBROADCAST from 7/25/96)

Puzo's newest novel is "The Last Don." He is best known for "The Godfather" (1969). Puzo has also written "The Fortunate Pilgrim," and "The Dark Arena," both novels. The two-time Academy Award winner has written several screenplays, including are all three Godfathers and Superman I and II. (REBROADCAST from 7/25/96)

Puzo's new novel is "The Last Don." He is best known for "The Godfather." This new book returns him to that genre: the inner workings of the Mafia. The main character is an old man trying to secure his family's future in an era of legalized gambling, motion picture investments and the threat of government informers. His goal is threatened by familial in-fighting. The two-time Academy Award winner has also written several screenplays, including are all three Godfathers and Superman I and II.

Coppola was 29 years old when he signed on to direct a film. "I was young and had no power," he says, "so [the studio] figured they could just boss me around." Originally broadcast Nov. 16, 2016.

Francis Ford Coppola was 29 years old and broke when he was asked to direct The Godfather, based on the bestselling novel by Mario Puzo. The notes he kept for himself during the making of The Godfather have been collected into a new book.