Abe Gibron

Brian's Song (2001)

Actors: Dean McDermott (actor), Ben Gazzara (actor), Craig Zadan (producer), Richard Marvin (composer), Elise Neal (actress), Scott Vickrey (editor), Shawn Lawrence (actor), Neil Meron (producer), Aidan Devine (actor), Mekhi Phifer (actor), Craig Eldridge (actor), William Blinn (writer), Tony Meyler (actor), John Gray (director), John Gray (writer),

Plot: American football players Brian Piccolo, of Italian descent with the gift of the gab, and Gale Sayers, black and a social cripple, both join the Chicago Bears. They don't get along, but coach's plan to mix races as roomies forces them to do so. When Gale is about to give up with a knee injury, Brian kicks and helps him till he gets back, and they become friends. Just when Brian gets off the bench in a new position, he's diagnosed with embryonal carcinoma, and when that's cured other dangerous cancers: his career is over, and his life a painful struggle for survival at best...

Keywords: american-football, based-on-book, character-name-in-title, fatal-illness, football-player, friendship-between-men, integration, sports-team
Genres: Drama, Sport,
Taglines: The Greatest Victories In Life Don't Always Happen On The Field.

Brian's Song (1971)

Actors: David Huddleston (actor), Michel Legrand (composer), Shelley Fabares (actress), James Caan (actor), Jack Warden (actor), Buzz Kulik (director), Bernie Casey (actor), Billy Dee Williams (actor), William Blinn (writer), Paul Junger Witt (producer), Ji-Tu Cumbuka (actor), Tony Thomas (producer), Dick Butkus (actor), Bud S. Isaacs (editor), Mario Machado (actor),

Plot: Gale Sayers joins the Chicago Bears and is befriended by Brian Piccolo, an over-achieving running back. Although they compete for the same spot on the team, and despite the fact that Sayers is black and Piccolo white, they become roommates on the road and very close friends, especially when Sayers is injured and Piccolo helps his recovery. Later, they and their wives must both deal with the harsh reality of Piccolo's cancer.

Keywords: 1960s, abc-movie-of-the-week, african-american, american-football, archive-footage, athlete, banquet, bare-chested-male, based-on-book, basement
Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport,
Taglines: An inspiring true story of friendship and courage.

Quotes:

Assistant coach: Piccolo, you bone-headed spaghetti eater, that was Fake Draw Screen Right. What the hell do you do on Fake Draw Screen Right?

Narrator: Ernest Hemingway once said "Every true story ends in death." Well, this is a true story.

Brian Piccolo: Well, on uh, Fake Draw Screen Right I uh, pick up the linebacker if he's comin, 'less of course it's Butkus, then I simply notify the quarterback to send for a preacher.

Brian Piccolo: I think I know what's wrong with me.::Gale Sayers: Yeah, what's that?::Brian Piccolo: I'm pregnant.

Brian Piccolo: It's all so pointless, Gayle. I mean, I know perfectly well what's wrong with me. Gayle, I think I'm pregnant.

Gale Sayers: Oh, babe, you won't believe it. Brian *tried* to call me a nigger!

Gale Sayers: I love Brian Piccolo. And tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.

Gale Sayers: [accepting the George S. Halas award] I'd like to tell you about a guy I know, a friend of mine. His name is Brian Piccolo. And he has the heart of a giant, and that rare form of courage that allows him to kid himself and his opponent, cancer. He has a mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the world 'courage,' 24 hours a day, every day of his life. Now you honor me by giving me this award. But I say to you here now Brian Piccolo is the man who deserves the George S. Halas award. It is mine tonight... and Brian Piccolo's tomorrow. [Theme "Brian's Song" begins to play] I love Brian Piccolo. And I'd like all of you to love him too. And so tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.

Brian Piccolo: I said thank you.::Gale Sayers: I know.::Brian Piccolo: Well, usually when someone says thank you you're supposed to say you're welcome or How's Your mother?::Gale Sayers: How's your mother? ?::Brian Piccolo: She's doin' fine, thanks for asking.

Brian Piccolo: So, Concannon calls this trap play, and it's just beautiful... 43 yards, wasn't it 43? Ah. So, Halas sees he's tired, and sends me in, so I go in, he comes out. Concannon then figures he's gonna get REALLY foxy... you know, Concannon is... So, he says, "Um, same play. VERY SAME PLAY." Now, a trap play is also called, a SUCKER play, because it makes the defense look REAL bad when it works. Now, defenses DO NOT like to look real bad, see... it makes 'em kinda surly... So, anyway, all the linemen go this way, and it's like I am lookin' at a team portrait of the Los Angeles Rams! "Hey, Deacon! Merlin! How's the family, Rosey?"