THE KINGS OF MEMPHIS
Written by Kwyn Bader
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
PATCHWORK PRODUCTIONS
2000 - 2003
2009 - 2010
“It reads like music.”
Oscar winning composer and Kings of Memphis producer
Hans Zimmer
after reading Kwyn’s screenplay
Sought out by the producers of Shrek, Penney Finkelman Cox and Sandy Rabin, and their Oscar winning composer turned producing partner Hans Zimmer for his first Hollywood assignment, Kwyn turned a page 1 re-write into a completely new screenplay that went beyond Paramount studio expectations.
Telling a fictionalized tale of WDIA in Memphis, the first station in America brodcasting rhythm and blues in the 50’s, he created an energized buddy story that placed the station’s white station owner and star African-American dee-jay in a partnership that changed the course of history.
A celebration of music, racial progress and the entrepreneurial spirit, it was written for a mainstream PG-13 audience and moved forward by the studio to pre-production with an A-list director. ...In the following excerpt, Tuskegee Airman turned dee-jay Nate is co-erced by station-owner Butch to fly a stolen crop duster to a southern plantation, where Butch hopes to win money needed to save the station in a winner-take-all poker game with his land baron father.
EXT. OLD MEMPHIS AIRPLANE HANGAR - NIGHT
Butch and Nate break open the lock with a sledge hammer.
INT. OLD MEMPHIS AIRPLANE HANGAR - NIGHT
With a lantern, they hunt for the airplane Nate flew into Memphis.
NATE:
You trying to bring me to jail with you, Butch?
BUTCH:
If we only have twenty-four hours this is the only way we’ll make it.
NATE:
Make what?
BUTCH:
Trust me.
Nate points to a plane.
NATE:
There it is.
EXT. AIRFIELD - DAWN
The plane takes off, with Nate and Butch in it.
EXT. THE SKIES OVER ALABAMA - 9:OO A.M.
The sun’s up fully. The plane moves like a beautiful bird through the southern sky, over willows and taller trees, swooping over the land. A river runs along acreage filled with dogwoods and perfectly kept lawn. Off in the distance...a white columned mansion reminiscent of the “Gone With the Wind” era.
BUTCH:
Land it down there, Nate!
EXT. THE COLONEL’S ESTATE - 10:00 A.M.
Just out of the plane, Butch and Nate make their way up the brick paved walk to the house. The mansion is so big that even Nate is too awed to speak. They near the porch. A tall, white haired and bearded old gentleman appears on the top stair, drinking his first mint julep of the day. Butch stops at the bottom of the stairs and looks up.
NATE:
Where are we, Butch?
COLONEL JAMESON:
Good day, Eugene.
Nate mouths a “who’s Eugene?” to Butch.
BUTCH:
Good day, father. ...Colonel Jameson, Nate Lee Valentine.
Nate, for the first time in his life, is at a loss for words. Butch and Nate make their way up to the porch. The old man looks out at the plane.
COLONEL JAMESON:
He flew that?
BUTCH:
Yes, sir.
COLONEL JAMESON:
Had it seen this coming, the Confederacy would have fought a little harder.
On the porch...Nate sits in a rocker a little ways away, listening to the father/son chat. He drinks a lemonade.
COLONEL JAMESON (CONT'D):
I take it you’re finally ready to come home. Pissed away my money and now want me to take care of you. Well, I am getting old. About time you learned how to run this place.
BUTCH:
I came for the rest of my inheritance. I’ve got $200,000 more coming.
Nate drops his lemonade glass, but catches it before it hits the floor.
COLONEL JAMESON:
Not for another two years, Eugene.
BUTCH:
I need it now.
The Colonel lets out a loud billowing laugh.
COLONEL JAMESON:
What you need is protection from yourself.
Butch takes the deed to WDIA out of his breast pocket.
BUTCH:
I have a radio station.
COLONEL JAMESON:
Oh believe me, word spreads. (disgusted) My name associated with that devil music.
BUTCH:
I have a station that needs dollars to stay in business.
COLONEL JAMESON:
And?
BUTCH:
I’m suggesting a wager, sir. You love a game of poker. I’ll bet my whole $200,000 for $100,000 now. If I win I get the half and you keep the other as a penalty for early withdrawal. You win, you keep my inheritance forever. Either way, you make out like a bandit.
COLONEL JAMESON:
I’m listening.
BUTCH:
I thought if I juiced up the offer enough...
Colonel heads into the house.
COLONEL JAMESON (to Nate):
You’re welcome at the back door.
BUTCH:
If my friend can’t go in, I can’t go in.
Butch looks at Nate and winks.
MOMENTS LATER
An old Negro butler brings out a little table and deck of cards and sits it between Butch and the Colonel. He takes a long look at Nate and the plane out in the yard. Nate nods his head to him to let him know, “yep, times are changing”.
Butch looks through the cards to make sure it’s a legit 52. Then looks at his pocket watch.
BUTCH (CONT'D):
I only have time for one hand. ...You may deal.
The Colonel tries to intimidate his son with a cold stare.
BUTCH (CONT’D):
Five card stud.
COLONEL JAMESON:
Hell, son, we might as well just flip a coin!
SLOW MOTION CLOSE UP - The cards are dealt.
The Colonel looks at his and smiles. Butch looks at his and gulps.
COLONEL JAMESON (CONT’D):
I have this trash...
He lays down a deuce, a four, and a six...
COLONEL JAMESON (CONT’D):
...and two sexy ladies.
Queens!
Nate tries to peek at Butch’s cards, but he’s holding them close to the vest. Butch puts a hand through his hair. Scratches his neck. As if there was some way to change the cards...
COLONEL JAMESON (CONT’D):
I think, son, you should think about coming home and living a gentleman’s life under my supervision.
BUTCH:
Colonel. I am a particular kind of man. And that man cannot live here with you.
Butch lays down his hand. A three, a seven, a nine...and TWO KINGS!
BUTCH (CONT’D):
Two kings beat you.
Butch can’t quite believe he “won”. Nate can’t help but laugh. Butch puts his hand down on Nate’s shoulder.
NATE: Well, alright.
MINUTES LATER
The propeller on the plane spins and growls. The wheels speed along the grass. Nate takes them up off the ground.
NATE (CONT’D):
What the hell was he Colonel of?!
BUTCH:
Nothing. He won the title in a card game.
NATE:
What a surprise!
EXT. SKIES OVER ALABAMA - 12:00 P.M.
Nate and Butch are pleased as punch...singing at the sky.
BUTCH AND NATE:
Let the good times roll! Da-da-da-da. Let the good times roll!
NATE:
We don’t care if you’re young or old!
BUTCH:
Let's get together!
BUTCH AND NATE:
And let the good times roll!!
Fade out sound...