Description:

Contract signed by Muhammad Ali four times agreeing to the production of a motion picture based upon his life – also signed by Lee Caplin. In 2001, "Ali" starring Oscar nominated Will Smith was produced "in association with Lee Caplin/Picture Entertainment Corporation & Overbrook Films" (Will Smith’s production company).

MUHAMMAD ALI (1942-2016) Historic Typed Document Signed "Muhammad Ali 4-24-90" four pages, 8.5" x 11", separate sheets staple together in the upper left. No place, April 23, 1990. Countersigned "Lee Caplin" and "R.M. Hirschfeld April 24, 1990" and notarized. Also signed "M. Ali," "RMH" and "LC" three times each, once on each of the first three pages, next to additions. Fine condition.

A contract in letter form from producer Lee Caplin to Muhammad Ali and Richard M. Hirschfeld, President and Secretary, respectively, of "Muhammed Ali Productions." "Muhammed" is misspelled wherever it appears in type. Noted to be "Re: Motion Picture on Life / Story of Muhammed Ali." Stamped "CONFIDENTIAL" on page one.

In part, "Your signature(s) after the words ‘Agreed to and Accepted’ at the end of this letter will establish the following as the understanding and agreement between Muhammed Ali and Muhammed Ali Productions, Inc. of which Richard Hirschfeld is a principal (collectively referred to as ‘you’), and Lee Caplin Productions, Inc. (LCP) regarding the life story of Muhammed Ali (the ‘Property’): 1. Upon our receipt of a copy of this agreement signed by you, you and LCP will have established a Joint Venture for the exclusive purpose of exploiting the Property as a Motion Picture…

"The Property is the story of Muhammed Ali’s life from boyhood to the present including all or part of the events relating to his experiences or the experiences of others as recounted by him and third parties in print or other media. The rights include the rights to portray Muhammed Ali and his family in dramatic works related to the Property, which may be produced, broadcast or otherwise exploited in ways accepted by the Motion Picture and TV industriesy…"

In the blank margin of the second page, added to "5," Richard M. Hirschfeld has penned "LCP is aware of the documentary being developed in England by Lindsey Clennell and the Simon & Schuster biography currently under development, both of which are separate and distinct from the undertaking by this Agreement." This addition is signed "LC," "M. Ali," and "RMH" at the lower left.

On page three, in the blank margin below "10," Hirschfeld has penned "10(a). Muhammad Ali, Jabir Herbert Muhammad and Richard Hirschfeld shall be credited as ‘Associate Producers’ of the motion picture; and Muhammad Ali Productions Inc. will be provided desk space and access at the studio (e.g., Republic Pictures Corp.) during the entire production period, at no cost." Signed "LC," "M. Ali," and "RMH" in the lower left margin.

Accompanied by an original pre-release 11.25" x 17" color poster, mid-horizontal fold, for "Ali" with "DECEMBER" in red at the lower edge. "Ali" premiered in the UK on December 11, 2001, and in the United States the next day. The poster pictures a close-up of Will Smith as Muhammad Ali and the motion picture’s credits beginning with: "Columbia Pictures presents a Peters Entertainment/Forward Pass production / in association with Lee Caplin/Picture Entertainment Corporation & Overbrook Films." This poster is signed in thick black marker in the upper left: "You are / the Greatest / Lee Caplin."

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