The studio did not want Marlon Brando for The Godfather. He was considered washed up and box-office poison. Director Francis Ford Coppola arranged a secret screen test disguised as a 'makeup test' so executives wouldn't object. Brando, alone in his home, stuffed his cheeks with cotton balls, slicked his hair back with shoe polish, and shuffled around mumbling in a raspy voice. The studio watched the tape and didn't recognize him. 'That's incredible,' they said. 'Who is that?' During filming, a stray cat wandered onto set during the opening scene. Brando picked it up and started petting it. Coppola kept rolling. The image of the Don stroking a cat while discussing murder became one of the most iconic shots in cinema.