Maurie (film)
| Maurie | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Daniel Mann |
| Written by | Douglas Morrow |
| Produced by | Douglas Morrow Frank Ross |
| Starring | Bernie Casey Bo Svenson Bill Walker Maidie Norman Ji-Tu Cumbuka |
| Cinematography | John Hora |
| Edited by | Walter Hannemann |
| Distributed by | National General Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 113 mins. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Maurie (also known as Big Mo) is a 1973 American semi-biographical feature film directed by Daniel Mann. Distributed by National General Pictures, the film covers the lives and relationship of two NBA Hall of fame basketball players, the forward Jack Twyman, and his teammate the forward Maurice Stokes.
Plot summary
The film chronicles Twyman's and Stokes's relationship from Stokes's rookie year in the NBA up until his death. Stokes and Twyman were teammates on the Rochester Royals during the 1950s (during which time the team located to Cincinnati). Stokes fell ill three days after the last game of the 1957-58 NBA season, in Minneapolis. Stokes drove to the basket, drew contact and fell to the floor, hit his head, and was knocked unconscious. He was revived with smelling salts, and he returned to the game.
Three days later, after an opening-round playoff game against the Detroit Pistons, Stokes became ill during the team's flight back to Cincinnati, suffered a seizure and fell into a coma to awaken in a Cincinnati hospital three weeks later. Stokes never fully recovered from the brain injury, and he was left permanently paralyzed. He would be confined to bed or a wheelchair as an almost completely paralyzed quadraplegic, and would need constant nursing care.
Twyman offered his friendship and continuous moral support and financial aid to Stokes and his family (even legally adopting him), who were saddled with the difficult task of caring for the virtually invalid Stokes, up until Stokes's death from a heart attack in 1970.
Cast
The film starred then-newcomer actor Bernie Casey (also a former NFL player) as Stokes, and the Swedish actor Bo Svenson as Twyman.
Supporting cast
The cast included distinguished veteran actors Bill Walker and Maidie Norman as Maurice's parents; Janet MacLachlan played Stokes's college girlfriend, Dorothy (Stokes was carrying a diamond ring in his pocket, all set to propose to her, when he had the seizure on the plane); and the now veteran character actor Ji-Tu Cumbuka portrayed Oscar Robertson.
Music
The filmmakers hired Frank Sinatra to sing the theme song, "Winners" (Reprise 1190). The score was composed by Joe Raposo.
