The Golden Age of Cinema with Miles Stephenson

IN THIS CONVERSATION

The story behind the story.

On the Hollywood Godfather podcast, Gianni and Jeanie welcome filmmaker Miles Stevenson, 26, a New York–born writer/producer of documentaries. Miles recounts meeting Gianni while producing The Real Godfather documentary about Joe Colombo and The Godfather’s real-life ties, and they discuss Russo’s connections to Frank Costello, Colombo, and on-set stories such as a stolen production van and Lenny Montana’s improvised moment. Miles explains his fascination with the 1967–1975 “New Hollywood” era when the failing studio system gave young directors like Coppola and Scorsese creative control, enabling riskier films shot on location. Russo promotes his books Hollywood Godfather and Mafia Secrets, claims James Patterson validated his Marilyn Monroe account, says Mafia Secrets has a proposed $50M film with director George Gallo, and shares stories involving the Vatican, CIA–mob plots against Castro, and Kennedy-era allegations. The episode ends announcing Miles will return for a second segment.