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The Godfather Jack Woltz Bedroom Severed Horse Head Prop

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Memorabilia Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
The Godfather Jack Woltz Bedroom Severed Horse Head Prop
The phrase “I’ll give him an offer he can’t refuse” is forever in our lexicon, and comes, of course from Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) in “The Godfather” (1972). It is shown to great effect when he sends his consigliore Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) to convince Studio Head Jack Woltz (John Marley) to put Corleone’s friend, singer Johnny Fontane (Al Martino) in his next major movie. When Woltz refuses, the Don gives him an offer he can’t refuse by having the head of Woltz' prized horse, Khartoum, placed in his bed. Johnny gets the role! Up to the very moment they were to shoot the scene, director Francis Ford Coppola wanted to use a real horse head, which was a difficult task, so a very realistic taxidermy head was bought in Texas, flown out and art directed to look “decapitated” by legendary special effects make-up artist Dick Smith, who added a prosthetic neck "stump" base to the head which he then painstakingly worked in blood and gore (still visible) to make it even more grisly. It was used in all rehearsals and also seen in many publicity photos with Copolla and actor Marley. According to Paramount Studios, the past owner of this iconic piece of Hollywood History was a studio employee who obtained the head a short time after production in the 1970's. It was stored at their mother's house, until the last owner bought it. Even though this head, which was used on the set, was very realistic , Coppola still had his mind set on a real head. At the very last moment, one was obtained and flown out in a large dry-ice chest. It was used and then given to the SPCA for disposal. This head also comes with two "Godfather" books which discuss how this head was used during the complex shooting sequence. They are "The Godfather Companion" by Peter Biskin and "The Godfather Legacy, The Untold Story of the Making of the Classic Godfather Trilogy" by Harlan Lebo. The second book shows a half page photograph of Coppola in the bed with actor John Marley and this taxidermy head. A true treasure of "Godfather" memorabilia! Comes with a Letter of Provenience from the last owner. Approx. 34"x 24". Oversized item. Additional postage required. This item has been authenticated and marked with new technology by MovieProps DNA to prevent against fraud and counterfeiting. A panel of industry experts not affiliated with Premiere Props in the movie & TV memorabilia business has authenticated this item. This item now includes three levels of security: 1) DNA laced invisible ink – a 9-digit code laced with DNA ink is placed on an appropriate place of the prop/costume and can be only viewed using a high-frequency UV light. The chances of replicating the specific DNA sequence which is unique to MPDNA is 1 in 33 trillion. This DNA sequence is so secure it is admissible in a court of law.?? 2) Archival Microchip Encrypted Tag - a patented, acid-free, 1"x 3" tag with an encrypted microchip is placed onto the Certificate of Authenticity. The microchip contained within the tag contains all of the pertinent information about the prop or costume. The tag is tamper proof and the microchip is encrypted, making it impossible to duplicate.? 3) The certificate also has the 9-digit DNA invisible ink mark which must match the 9-digit invisible ink mark on the prop. This will ensure that it is a genuine prop issued by Premiere Props and authenticated by MPDNA.