Talk about how times have changed! In 1972, thanks in part to several members of a pro Italian-American group, Francis Ford Coppola’s film “The Godfather” spent opening day playing to an empty theatre in Kansas City. According to Thomas Gialde, vice president of the Italian-American Unification Council of Greater Kansas City at the time, his group “strongly oppose a kind of prejudice the picture can cause.” He made these comments to reporters in the lobby of the Empire theatre.
Four decades later, the film, as well as it’s Oscar winning sequel, return to the scene of the crime. These days the Empire is better known as the Kansas City Alamo Drafthouse and this Sunday, September 7, the Alamo is presenting a double-feature performance of both films, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are just $15.00
Nominated for a combined (22) Academy Awards and winner of (9) Oscars, including (2) for Best Picture, “The Godfather” and “The Godfather: Part II” are still considered, forty-years after their release, to among the greatest American films ever made. If you haven’t seen them on the big screen here is your chance!
For more information visit:
http://drafthouse.com/movies/the_godfather_double_feature/kansas_city
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