Muhammad Ali 4/11/7/76
Film Identifier: F.2012-03-1425
Run Time
0h 3m 20s
0h 3m 20s
Format
16mm
16mm
Color
Color
Color
Sound
Mag Stripe
Mag Stripe
Date Produced
April 11 1976
April 11 1976
Abstract
Muhammad Ali is shown walking out of a scheduled appearance on NBC's Grandstand to demonstate his support for the NABET strikers.
Muhammad Ali is shown walking out of a scheduled appearance on NBC's Grandstand to demonstate his support for the NABET strikers.
Description
This scene depicts Muhammad Aliarriving, via his tourbus, at NBC's facilities at Merchandise Mart (at 325 N. Wells, Chicago). Eyewitness News' Jack Smith provides a voiceover describing that Muhammad Ali was scheduled for an appearance on NBC's sports program Grandstand, where he planned to trade insults with European-boxing champ Richard Dunn, who he will fight on May 24, 1976. NABET strikers are shown outside of the building. Jack Smith describes that Muhammad Ali was advised by his public-relation aids to side with labour and not cross the picket line to do the appearance. After entering the building and talking with an NBC executive about the strike, Muhammad Ali is shown walking out. He decided not to follow through with the appearance. Strikers are elated and began to chant "He's a champ, not a chump!"
On March 31, 1976 the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET) union began a strike against NBC/ABC networks ithat lasted 7 weeks (until May 24, 1976). Prompted by the expiration of a previous bargaining agreement that had not been met with a new contract agreement, 2,000 NABET members walk off the job at NBC, across New York, Washington, Cleveland, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. NBC continued operating its facilities with nonstriking personnel. Incidents of sabotage at NBC facilities prompted NBC to refuse union employees access, NABET thus called a "lock out." During the strike NABET asked that many planned broadcasts be postponed, at risk of "crossing the picketline."
This scene depicts Muhammad Aliarriving, via his tourbus, at NBC's facilities at Merchandise Mart (at 325 N. Wells, Chicago). Eyewitness News' Jack Smith provides a voiceover describing that Muhammad Ali was scheduled for an appearance on NBC's sports program Grandstand, where he planned to trade insults with European-boxing champ Richard Dunn, who he will fight on May 24, 1976. NABET strikers are shown outside of the building. Jack Smith describes that Muhammad Ali was advised by his public-relation aids to side with labour and not cross the picket line to do the appearance. After entering the building and talking with an NBC executive about the strike, Muhammad Ali is shown walking out. He decided not to follow through with the appearance. Strikers are elated and began to chant "He's a champ, not a chump!"
On March 31, 1976 the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET) union began a strike against NBC/ABC networks ithat lasted 7 weeks (until May 24, 1976). Prompted by the expiration of a previous bargaining agreement that had not been met with a new contract agreement, 2,000 NABET members walk off the job at NBC, across New York, Washington, Cleveland, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. NBC continued operating its facilities with nonstriking personnel. Incidents of sabotage at NBC facilities prompted NBC to refuse union employees access, NABET thus called a "lock out." During the strike NABET asked that many planned broadcasts be postponed, at risk of "crossing the picketline."
Main Credits
Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)
Actors, Performers and Participants
Ali, Muhammad (is participant)
Form
Related Place
Chicago (depicts)