This is Ruddy’s first Oscar nomination and win but he would later win another Best Picture over 30 years later in 2005 for Million Dollar Baby. Al Ruddy was a television writer at Universal Studios, but left when Marlon Brando Sr., father of the legendary actor, hired him to produce Wild Seed (1965). Al Ruddy was 35 when he produced his first film and made the Godfather only six years later!

This is the first year when all the Oscar winners were brought out on stage at the end of the ceremony to celebrate cinema and the show drew a television audience of 85 million viewers. Marlon Brando even declined his Best Actor Oscar for The Godfather; tune in to hear our thoughts on this surprise and how the declining of the award has changed over time.

Is The Godfather worthy of the Best Picture award of 1972? Tell us how we’re wrong at worthysubmissions@gmail.com