Marlon Brando’s ‘Godfather’ Tuxedo Heads to Auction for the First Time
3 min
It’s an offer fans of The Godfather can’t refuse: The tuxedo Marlon Brando wore in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 masterpiece will be heading to auction for the first time in September.
Carrying a pre-sale estimate of US$200,000, the complete formal tuxedo—which previously had been held in a private collection—was worn by Brando in the opening wedding scenes of his Academy Award-winning role as “Vito Corleone.” (According to Hollywood lore, Brando wore his own personal tuxedo in the film as he refused to have a fitting for a new one.) It’s just one of several Brando items scheduled to be sold by Studio Auctions; also going up for grabs will be his filming script (no estimate provided) from The Godfather , as well as his personal Rolodex containing the names and phone numbers of Hollywood’s elite. (Pre-sale estimate: US$40,000).
The three-day event—titled “From Bombshells to Blasters: An Auction You Can’t Refuse” —will be held from Sept. 20-22 at the auction house’s headquarters in Burbank, Calif.
Thann Clarke
“Each item tells a unique story and holds a piece of cinematic history that has left a major impact on American culture,”says Brad Teplitsky, co-founder at Studio Auctions.
“These pieces span generations and ensure there’s something for everyone, from Star Wars fans to admirers of Hollywood’s Golden Age.”
Collectors of Hollywood memorabilia will get the chance to own authenticated items from icons like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, as well as collectibles from classics such as The Wizard of Oz, Iron Man, and Alien . The auction will also feature the artwork collection of Academy Award-winning production designer/art director Rick Carter, which spans several films Steven Spielberg had a role in creating, including Back to the Future and Jurassic Park , as well as Avatar and Star Wars.
Thann Clarke
Among the instantly recognisable props never before seen at auction is the rare appearance of a screen-used character suit from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Iron Man’s “Mark 46 TA Hero Suit Torso,” worn by Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man: Civil War (2020). Constructed of cast fibreglass, resin, and mixed-media components, the electrically wired torso is expected to sell for upward of US$200,000.
Bidders will also have the chance to own the hero wand prop used on screen by Billie Burke as Glinda the “Good Witch of the South” in The Wizard of Oz (1939), which carries a pre-sale estimate of US$100,000.
“These are extremely rare items, and the fact that none of the mentioned pieces have ever been to auction before adds a layer of exclusivity,” says Teplitsky. “Owning something like Marlon Brando’s tuxedo from The Godfather , one of the most iconic movies of all time, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a fragment of cinematic history.”
The live auction will be streamed for bidders worldwide, and pre-bidding will open on Aug. 20 at StudioAuctions.com.
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Australian shares fell on Thursday as Wall Street weakness, rising oil and persistent rate concerns weighed on most of the market. The S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.72 per cent to 8,702. The All Ordinaries lost 0.66 per cent to finish at 8,897. Mining stocks were hit particularly hard, while real estate also dragged on the index. …
Continue reading “ASX falls 0.7 per cent as miners and property stocks retreat”
Borrowers cannot control the Reserve Bank, but they can control how exposed their household budget is to its next decision. The RBA meets on 29 September with inflation concerns still elevated and major-bank economists increasingly bringing forward their rate-rise calls. Fixed mortgage rates have also been moving, reducing the value of waiting for perfect certainty. …
Continue reading “What mortgage holders should do before the next RBA decision”
2 minAustralian shares fell on Thursday as Wall Street weakness, rising oil and persistent rate concerns weighed on most of the market.
The S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.72 per cent to 8,702. The All Ordinaries lost 0.66 per cent to finish at 8,897. Mining stocks were hit particularly hard, while real estate also dragged on the index.
Energy was the notable exception, gaining more than one per cent as Brent crude traded above US$103 a barrel. Oil had moved higher amid uncertainty surrounding potential US diesel-export restrictions and broader geopolitical supply risks. The move supported energy producers but renewed concern about inflation inputs across transport and the wider economy.
Gold shares were weak even as spot bullion remained historically elevated. The All Ordinaries Gold index fell about 2.25 per cent, showing that equity performance can diverge from the commodity because of valuation, currency, operating and company-specific factors.
Zip was a prominent loser, falling 11.38 per cent after the company reported short sales after the previous close. Nine Entertainment also weakened after UBS analysts warned of near-term revenue challenges associated with its advertising-supported subscription tier.
Premier Investments led larger winners despite caution about the retail environment. Breville, in which Premier owns a significant stake, also appeared among leading movers. In the broader ASX 300 screen, Myer gained 11.43 per cent and MAAS Group rose 7.93 per cent, while Lotus Resources fell 10.53 per cent. These percentage moves should be checked against company announcements and trading liquidity before attributing causes.
The Australian dollar was broadly flat at US70.38 cents. Spot gold was around US$4,280 an ounce, Brent crude approximately US$103.08 a barrel and iron ore near US$96.90 a tonne late in the session.
The rate outlook remains the central domestic catalyst. Labour-market weakness has not eliminated the possibility of an RBA increase next week, leaving banks, listed property and other rate-sensitive sectors exposed to changing expectations.
Market dashboard
S&P/ASX 200: 8,702, down 0.72 per cent.
All Ordinaries: 8,897, down 0.66 per cent.
Best sector: Energy, up more than one per cent.
Weakest areas: Real estate and materials were the major drags; confirm final sector percentages before publication.
Material winner: Premier Investments led the large-company gainers. Confirm its final closing move from the ASX before publication.
Material loser: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.
ASX 300 percentage leader: Myer, up 11.43 per cent.
ASX 300 percentage laggard: Zip, down 11.38 per cent.
AUD/USD: Approximately US$0.7038, broadly flat.
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