Editing 78-02-A1 (section)

= Big Mo =

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=== Transcript ===
Quite a long time back on one of these broadcasts I talked about a great
pro-basketball star named Maurie Stokes. To all the N.B.A. fans he was known
as Big Mo.

At the very height of his career he was struck down by a rare--almost
unheard of--disease. One of his teammates, Jack Twyman, accompanied him to
the hospital because, as he later said to his wife, "It didn't seem right to
let him go by himself." That was the start of one of the truly great stories
of friendship between two strong men.

That story caught the attention of a fine Hollywood screenwriter, Doug
Morrow, who had also written the story of Monte Stratton, the baseball pitcher
who lost his leg in a hunting accident and fought his way back to be a starting
pitcher in the big leagues. Jimmy Stewart, you may remember, played Stratton
in what was one of Hollywood's finer movies.

It was only natural that Doug Morrow would see the epic quality and the
drama in the real life stories of Big Mo and Jack Twyman. With Big Mo gone
Jack Twyman set the rule that the story would have to be the truth, the whole
truth and, so help me, no artificial "tinsel town" gimmicks added. Those
conditions didn't bother Morrow--that's the way he wanted to do it. He wrote
the story and co-produced the picture with Frank Ross, producer of the epic,
"The Robe".

They made this motion picture the way pictures used to be made. More
important it was a picture that everyone should see; a picture about the
indomitable human spirit that has raised us above the primeval swamp. Against
the competitive background of big time pro basketball "Big Mo" is a story with
heart, humor, excitement and suspense. And you can have a family night with a
picture the kids should see and you won't have to pretend you didn't hear
certain words.

In today's world here is a story about man's humanity to man. One of our
biggest army training centers has made this picture a part of recruit indoctrination
and credits it with unifying our young men and binding them together in
a common cause. The first time I saw it I called it a picture all America
should see. You'll see courage and compassion, brotherly love without mawkishness
and a story that will hold your attention. And every minute of it is a true
life story that really happened.

I know I sound like a commercial, but I mean every word of it. If you liked
the story of Brian Piccolo, you'll love "Big Mo" on C.B.S. Friday Night. 

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
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=== Details ===
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<TR><TD WIDTH="150">Batch Number</TD><TD WIDTH="150">{{PAGENAME}}</TD></TR>
<TD>Production Date</TD><TD>01/27/[[Radio1978|1978]]</TD></TR>
<TD>Book/Page</TD><TD>[https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/public/2024-07/40-656-7386263-014-007-2024.pdf#PAGE=19 Online PDF]</TD></TR>
<TD>Audio</TD><TD></TD></TR>
<TD>Youtube?</TD><TD>No</TD></TR>
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===Added Notes===
* ''Note from script'': (MUST air before 2/17/78)
* ''Note from script'': These programs are provided for airing from February 13th through March 3rd inclusive. Maintaining this schedule will enable your station to air all newly recorded programs as received. 
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