The epic 1972 movie "The Godfather" will be shown on the big screen in Omaha/Council Bluffs later this month as part of a special event featuring several VIPs. Local movie impresario Bruce Crawford says the film’s big star will make it a landmark event for Omaha.
"Of course, Marlon Brando being an Omaha native, I had to be really particularly careful when I did it," Crawford says. "I wanted everything to come together just right." He says the event on May 30th will feature three members of the late actor’s family, along with actor John Martino, who played Paulie in the movie.
Crawford says he was thrilled Brando’s relatives agreed to attend the screening. "They’re not really ones for a lot of public speaking," Crawford says. "They keep a low profile and they said ‘yes,’ so this is really a big coup for Omaha." Brando family members Miko, Karen and Prudence says they’ll attend.
Crawford says space will be limited at the one-showing-only event, which is to help out a local charity. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at metro area Hy-Vee stores with all proceeds to benefit the Omaha Hearing School for Children. This is the latest of several film events in the Omaha metro area that Crawford helped organize.
Others featured "To Kill A Mockingbird" and brought actress Mary Badham, who played Scout in the film. Also, "The Wizard of Oz" feature brought one of the munchkins, Jerry Maren, while the showing of "It’s A Wonderful Life" included Karolyn Grimes, who played ZuZu.