In the movie The Godfather (1972), Jack Woltz (John Marley) awakens to find the head of Khartoum his prized thoroughbred race horse in his bed. He screams in horror.

Woltz is a film producer who refuses to cast famous singer/actor Johnny Fontane (Al Martino) in a war film. Fontane asks his godfather, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) of the Corleone crime family, to pressure Woltz into giving him the part. Corleone sends his consigliere, Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), to Hollywood to "reason" with Woltz.

While visiting with Woltz, Hagen offers to help him with upcoming union troubles in return for casting Fontane. Woltz is furious and shouts anti-Italian slurs at Hagen. He refuses to bargain. Later, after learning Hagen represents Corleone, Woltz is more receptive, even inviting Hagen to his palatial estate. But he still refuses to cast Fontane.

The next day in the morning Woltz finds Khartoum's (the horse's) head. Realizing the big risk that he is taking, he relents. Woltz finally casts Fontane in his war movie.

Also just to note it, in the movie director Francis Ford Coppola requisitioned a real head from a dog food company. He had the head painted brown from its original white color, to match up to the color of the horse seen earlier in the film.

More Info: godfather.wikia.com