Jack Woltz
Encyclopedia
Jack Woltz is a fictional character from the Mario Puzo
novel The Godfather
and the 1972 film adaptation
. In the film, he is portrayed by John Marley
.
in a war film that would revive Johnny's flagging career. Fontane asks Don Vito Corleone, who is the head of an organized crime
family and his godfather, to lean on Woltz. Corleone sends his consigliere
, Tom Hagen
, to Hollywood to "reason" with Woltz.
Hagen offers to help Woltz with union trouble in return for casting Fontane. The offer may have been sincere, but could also be interpreted as a threat that union trouble will likely arise if Woltz does not cooperate. Woltz loses his temper, shouting anti-Italian
slurs at Hagen, and refuses to bargain. Later, after learning Hagen represents Don Corleone, he appears more eager to listen, even inviting Hagen to dinner at his sumptuous estate. However, in the end, Woltz still refuses to cast Fontane, explaining to Hagen that Johnny had run off with one of his young female stars-in-the-making (with whom Woltz had been having an affair) and made him out to look ridiculous.
The self-made millionaire Woltz, who exudes the demeanor of a New York
street tough, spurns the veiled threat of violence residing under Hagen's cool corporate attorney facade by telling him "I ain't no bandleader" (referring to the incident where Don Corleone secured Johnny's release from a personal services contract with a bandleader by having Luca Brasi
threaten him with a gun). But the following morning, in one of the most famous scenes in movie history, Woltz wakes up to find the decapitated head of his prized stud horse, Khartoum, in his bed with him. He subsequently gives in to their wishes and casts Fontane.
, he became the White House
's propaganda
adviser, obtaining a large government contract as well as political contacts in the process, in addition to an acquaintance with J. Edgar Hoover
. It is also revealed that he is a pedophile who routinely molests
young girls who audition for his movies, as well as the daughters of some of his actresses. (Although this aspect of the character is edited out of the film, it can be viewed in at least one deleted scene).
When Johnny Fontane is nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the film, a spiteful Woltz bribes
or threatens nearly everyone in Hollywood to keep him from winning. He is again thwarted by the Corleone Family, and Fontane wins, eventually opening a Corleone-funded production company that soon rivals Woltz Pictures. Fontane politely telephones Woltz to thank him for everything despite their tension, but Woltz spitefully hangs up after a curt conversation.
, for one of the stages the player is sent on a mission to Hollywood. Being outside of New York City, he has no map to rely on. The player is ordered by Tom Hagen to decapitate Khartoum, with the help of Rocco Lampone
, a Corleone soldier
. The player then must sneak the head into Woltz's bedroom, all the while being quiet enough so as not to alert any of the security guards or cleaning ladies who are employed by Woltz. Successfully completing the stage will show a reenactment of the infamous "horse head" scene.
Mario Puzo
Mario Gianluigi Puzo was an American author and screenwriter, known for his novels about the Mafia, including The Godfather , which he later co-adapted into a film by Francis Ford Coppola...
novel The Godfather
The Godfather (novel)
The Godfather is a crime novel written by Italian American author Mario Puzo, originally published in 1969 by G. P. Putnam's Sons. It details the story of a fictitious Sicilian Mafia family based in New York City and headed by Don Vito Corleone, who became synonymous with the Italian Mafia...
and the 1972 film adaptation
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
. In the film, he is portrayed by John Marley
John Marley
John Marley was an American actor who was known for his role as Phil Cavalleri in Love Story and as Jack Woltz— the defiant film mogul who awakens to find the severed head of his prized horse in his bed—in The Godfather...
.
In the film
Woltz is a Jewish movie producer who refuses to cast the singer/actor Johnny FontaneJohnny Fontane
John "Johnny" Fontane is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and the series of films based upon it. In Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of the novel, he was portrayed by Al Martino, the role having been turned down by Vic Damone....
in a war film that would revive Johnny's flagging career. Fontane asks Don Vito Corleone, who is the head of an organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
family and his godfather, to lean on Woltz. Corleone sends his consigliere
Consigliere
Consigliere is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The word was popularized by Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather , and its film adaptation...
, Tom Hagen
Tom Hagen
Thomas "Tom" Feargal Hagen is a fictional character in the Godfather books and films. He was portrayed by Robert Duvall in the films. He is the informally adopted son of Don Vito Corleone and serves as the family lawyer and consigliere . Mild-mannered and soft-spoken, he often serves as a voice of...
, to Hollywood to "reason" with Woltz.
Hagen offers to help Woltz with union trouble in return for casting Fontane. The offer may have been sincere, but could also be interpreted as a threat that union trouble will likely arise if Woltz does not cooperate. Woltz loses his temper, shouting anti-Italian
Anti-Italianism
Anti-Italianism is a hostility toward Italian people utilizing stereotypes about them, such as the idea that the Italians are tolerant of violence, political corruption, Italy's former alliance with Nazi Germany and criminal groups such as the Mafia...
slurs at Hagen, and refuses to bargain. Later, after learning Hagen represents Don Corleone, he appears more eager to listen, even inviting Hagen to dinner at his sumptuous estate. However, in the end, Woltz still refuses to cast Fontane, explaining to Hagen that Johnny had run off with one of his young female stars-in-the-making (with whom Woltz had been having an affair) and made him out to look ridiculous.
The self-made millionaire Woltz, who exudes the demeanor of a New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
street tough, spurns the veiled threat of violence residing under Hagen's cool corporate attorney facade by telling him "I ain't no bandleader" (referring to the incident where Don Corleone secured Johnny's release from a personal services contract with a bandleader by having Luca Brasi
Luca Brasi
Luca Brasi is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather, as well as its 1972 film adaptation .-In the novel and film:In The Godfather, Luca Brasi is one of Don Vito Corleone's personal enforcers...
threaten him with a gun). But the following morning, in one of the most famous scenes in movie history, Woltz wakes up to find the decapitated head of his prized stud horse, Khartoum, in his bed with him. He subsequently gives in to their wishes and casts Fontane.
In the novel
In the novel, Woltz is portrayed as a man who has achieved great success in the film industry, having come up from nothing. During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he became the White House
Executive Office of the President of the United States
The Executive Office of the President consists of the immediate staff of the President of the United States, as well as multiple levels of support staff reporting to the President. The EOP is headed by the White House Chief of Staff, currently William M. Daley...
's propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
adviser, obtaining a large government contract as well as political contacts in the process, in addition to an acquaintance with J. Edgar Hoover
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States. Appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation—predecessor to the FBI—in 1924, he was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director until his death in 1972...
. It is also revealed that he is a pedophile who routinely molests
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
young girls who audition for his movies, as well as the daughters of some of his actresses. (Although this aspect of the character is edited out of the film, it can be viewed in at least one deleted scene).
When Johnny Fontane is nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the film, a spiteful Woltz bribes
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
or threatens nearly everyone in Hollywood to keep him from winning. He is again thwarted by the Corleone Family, and Fontane wins, eventually opening a Corleone-funded production company that soon rivals Woltz Pictures. Fontane politely telephones Woltz to thank him for everything despite their tension, but Woltz spitefully hangs up after a curt conversation.
In the video game
In the game The Godfather: The GameThe Godfather: The Game
The Godfather: The Game is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Electronic Arts. It is the second video game in the Godfather series and based upon the 1972 film of the same name. Originally released in March 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows, The Godfather...
, for one of the stages the player is sent on a mission to Hollywood. Being outside of New York City, he has no map to rely on. The player is ordered by Tom Hagen to decapitate Khartoum, with the help of Rocco Lampone
Rocco Lampone
Rocco Lampone is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and its film adaptation, as well as the sequel, The Godfather Part II. He was portrayed in the films by actor Tom Rosqui.-In the films:...
, a Corleone soldier
Soldato
A Soldato is the lowest level of the formal Mafia hierarchy, both in America and in Sicily. However, a soldier is much greater in rank and prestige than any ordinary associate of the crime family. In order to become a soldier, the primary requisite for an associate is to become a made man...
. The player then must sneak the head into Woltz's bedroom, all the while being quiet enough so as not to alert any of the security guards or cleaning ladies who are employed by Woltz. Successfully completing the stage will show a reenactment of the infamous "horse head" scene.