20 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Godfather
7. Marlon Brando's Lines Were Written On The Actors!
Marlon Brando was naturally talented at many things but learning lines wasn't one of them. For Guys & Dolls, his lines were fed to him through an ear piece. While making Superman, he read his dialogue off cue cards strewn around the set.
On The Godfather, he literally had his lines written on a sheet of paper which was strapped to his co-stars! Even though some of the actors prepared for weeks or months, Brando just showed up on the day, with little to no idea what he was going to say until the director shouted 'Action!'
Even though this practice makes Brando sound absurdly lazy, it was a part of his performing craft. Being a Method actor, Brando firmly believed his performance was more natural if he was less prepared. If he over-rehearsed, he felt like his acting came across as disingenuous and mechanical.