A question about The Greatest, Ali's 1977 film

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020.


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  1. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The lady who played the character of Velvet Green, played by famous actress Dinah Merill.
    Was he based on a real lady? The one who got Ali's autograph after one of his fights and told him " I come to all of your fights." Ali thanks her , and then she replies " because I can't wait til they carry you out on a stretcher, the Devil won't always win." Words to that effect, I have the movie on dvd but it's been a couple years since I watched it.
    Anybody have any info on this?
     
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
    #1
  2. andrewe

    andrewe Ezekiel 33 banned Full Member

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    I love this movie! Seen it many times.

    I don't think any footage of that real life encounter exists. Ali starred in the movie, and obviously wrote it too, so I would guess that it was based off of a real conversation, but there is always the possibility it was just for the movie (although I don't think so).

    At 2:21 of the trailer, you can see part of the line:
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    I haven't seen any real-life interviews about Ali mentioning the encounter.
     
    andrewe, Apr 16, 2020
    andrewe, Apr 16, 2020
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  3. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I love the soundtrack to the movie also.
     
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
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  4. Sting like a bean

    Sting like a bean Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Lol, that trailer kind of reminds me of...

    This content is protected
     
    Sting like a bean, Apr 16, 2020
    Sting like a bean, Apr 16, 2020
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  5. andrewe

    andrewe Ezekiel 33 banned Full Member

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    AMAZING Soundtrack, made the movie
     
    andrewe, Apr 16, 2020
    andrewe, Apr 16, 2020
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  6. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Note to self watch Blacula
     
    ETM, Apr 16, 2020
    ETM, Apr 16, 2020
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Got this film on video, back in around 1988. Watched it numerous times back then. Back in the day when you had to grab what you could on boxing visually and keep hold lol. But yes, enjoyable film.
     
    Fergy, Apr 16, 2020
    Fergy, Apr 16, 2020
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  8. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    I have this movie in my video collection, the lady Velvet Green was mentioned in his book.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, Apr 16, 2020
    Richard M Murrieta, Apr 16, 2020
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  9. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I have some vague recollection of Bundini saying "Velvet Green, the meanest *****, you ever seen!" but other than that and her appearance in the movie, that's all I really know about her.
     
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
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  10. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I saw The Greatest the first time in 1983 or 84, I had just started getting interested in boxing. One night it was on Channel 11 the New York station. Unfortunately the tv guide said it was coming on at like 2am in the morning on a school night. I was only in 7th grade at the time, but I begged my parents if I got my homework done, and went to bed after dinner, if I could set my alarm clock, and get up and watch it. I'm glad they let me!
     
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
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  11. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    I saw it at the Drive Inn in June 1977, with my brother in law and my sister, good movie.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, Apr 16, 2020
    Richard M Murrieta, Apr 16, 2020
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  12. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Wow 1977, the first movie in the theatres I saw was Star Wars that year, I think that was summer of 77 so I wasn't quite 6 years old.
     
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
    GoldenHulk, Apr 16, 2020
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  13. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    Those were the days, good times.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, Apr 17, 2020
    Richard M Murrieta, Apr 17, 2020
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  14. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I think it's in the book. Happend after Quarry comeback supposedly. Book later turned out to be largely fictional in many many instances
     
    robert ungurean, Apr 17, 2020
    robert ungurean, Apr 17, 2020
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  15. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Saw Star Wars, bought the Marvel comic the next day along with Tomb of Dracula and the Avengers.

    The Greatest is a lot of fun to watch, saw it in the theaters with my Mom and Dad.
     
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Apr 17, 2020
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Apr 17, 2020
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