Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 epic film, The Godfather, is regarded as the greatest movie in cinema history by critics, film scholars and millions of movie lovers throughout the world.
Al Pacino as Michael Corleone famously spoke what is arguably the most famous bit of dialogue in movie history. “My father made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
That was the first time “an offer he couldn’t refuse” was likely uttered in a movie or real life. People sometimes forget what led up to and followed that quote, and the context that triggered that unforgettable movie moment.
Pacino told a story to Diane Keaton’s Kay Adams, of how his father, Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, helped his godson (Al Martino as crooner Johnny Fontaine) be let out of a restrictive personal services contract. A contract Fontaine naively signed when he started his career and signed with a big-band leader.
Don Vito offered the band leader $10,000 to release Johnny so he’d be able to pursue better opportunities in his music and film career. The band leader refused.
Michael went on to recall, “So the next day, my father went back, only this time with Luca Brasi. Within an hour, he had a signed release for a certified check of $1,000.
Kay asked, “How did he do that?”
And here it is: “My father made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
Keaton asked curiously, “What was that?”
Michael said, “My father assured him that either his brains or his signature would be on the contract.”
The pen the band leader wisely chose to sign the contract with was most likely not a luxury pen. And certainly, not a $10,000 one at that.
In perhaps of what is a bit of an over-correction, celebrity jeweler Jacob Arabo has created two exquisite pens, made by Italian artisans from the finest materials to honor The Godfather.
Arabo is a Russian immigrant, now a vastly successful jewelry designer. He He has taken his family-run Jacob & Company from a humble studio in New York’s Diamond District to becoming a world-wide luxury brand.
He’s created artisanal luxury watches and pens for mega-celebs like The Beckhams, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Pharrell, Elton John, Puff Daddy and others.
The Godfather pen comes in two variations, both of which feature the iconic puppeteer imagery movie logo. These writing instruments have been built with meticulous attention to detail by the Italian luxury pen manufacturer Montegrappaa. This is somewhat of an homage given the Italian heritage of the film’s most important characters.
The ballpoint version is constructed from a dark Charcoal Celluloid with contrasting trim made from rose gold plated silver.
The fountain pen showcases an 18k gold nib and a piston-filling mechanism.
Each pen depicts imagery familiar to Godfather fans–a rose, a bullet and a unique revolver barrel. The collection is limited to 499 pieces per pen. You’ll have to pre-order to get in on what is sure to be a highly collectible item by Godfather fans across the globe.
-Matt Randolph
jacobandco.shop
