The Great John L.

TITLE: The Great John L. Genre: Biographical Drama / Sports / Period Format: Feature Film (~120 pages) ACT I – THE RISE (Pages 1–30) 1. Opening Image: 1892. A weathered John L. Sullivan lies in a hotel room, dictating his memoirs to a young reporter, Arthur Brisbane. The sound of his past echoes—glory and regret. 2. Set-Up: Flashbacks begin. Young John in Boston is brash, wild, and hungry. He’s a natural-born brawler from a rough Irish neighborhood, defying his father's expectations. 3. Theme Stated: Kate, his early love, gifts him Plutarch’s Lives, hinting that greatness is more than brute strength—it requires character. 4. Catalyst: John wins his first prizefight at the Dudley Street Opera House. A star is born. Crowds love him. Promoters take notice. 5. Debate: John faces the temptations of fame, alcohol, and adulation. He’s torn between love (Kate) and the seductive pull of boxing celebrity. 6. Break into Two: John becomes a national figure after defeating Paddy Ryan and claiming the title of America’s heavyweight champion. He turns pro and hits the road—“The Great John L.” is now a household name. ACT II – THE FALL (Pages 31–90) 7. B Story: Kate drifts away, unable to watch John succumb to pride and drinking. He marries Annie Bates, a showgirl, in a volatile, booze-fueled romance. 8. Fun and Games: Montage of barnstorming exhibitions, knockout victories, and extravagant tours. John drinks, brags, and pummels challengers coast to coast. 9. Midpoint: Their infant son dies of diphtheria. John’s world begins to crack. His marriage crumbles. His drinking worsens. The press turns against him—led by rival publisher Richard Fox, who backs challengers like Jake Kilrain. 10. Bad Guys Close In: Fox manipulates the press and orchestrates fights to dethrone John. John narrowly beats Kilrain in an epic 75-round bare-knuckle bout, but the toll is brutal. 11. All Is Lost: Annie leaves. Kate is gone. His friends abandon him. In Seattle, he is publicly outdrunk by a woman—humiliation complete. He collapses, both figuratively and literally. 12. Dark Night of the Soul: John retreats into seclusion. He’s a shell of the man he once was. Arthur presses him on what comes next—does he want to be remembered as a brute or as a man? ACT III – THE REDEMPTION (Pages 91–120) 13. Break into Three: John accepts a rematch—now against James J. Corbett, a younger, faster fighter. He trains under strict regimen with William Muldoon, embracing sobriety. 14. Finale: In New Orleans, under electric lights, John is outclassed by Corbett in the first gloved title fight. Beaten but proud, John makes a speech to the crowd: “I can lick any man in the house… but maybe not tonight.” 15. Final Image: Back in the hotel, John finishes dictating his memoirs. Kate unexpectedly appears. She heard his final fight was noble. The two walk together, older, quieter. Not victorious—but dignified.