Legendary Host Dick Cavett To Attend Special Screening Of “Ali & Cavett: The Tale Of The Tapes”

The Muhammad Ali Center will host a screening of the new documentary “Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes” on Thursday, November 1^st at 5:30 p.m. in the Center’s auditorium. Light refreshments will be available at 5:30 p.m. and the film begins at 6:00 p.m. This is the first screening of the film in Louisville, following its premiere at South by Southwest Film Festival this past spring.

The documentary follows the life and times of Muhammad Ali shown through the lens of his numerous appearances on The Dick Cavett Show. The film features new interviews with Dick Cavett, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Larry Merchant, as well as archival material from the Cavett Show. Following the film, there will be a discussion with producer/director Robert Bader and a special appearance by Dick Cavett.

Formerly a stand-up comedian and Tonight Show writer, Dick Cavett was given his own daily talk show in the spring of 1968. The first show he taped featured the former Heavyweight Champion of the World. Muhammad Ali would appear on Cavett’s shows a total of fourteen times in the coming years. Ali and Cavett’s friendship spanned more than fifty years.

Among other individuals, the film features interviews with Cavett, Thomas Hauser, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Juan Williams, as well as archival material from the Cavett Show. This is more than a sports documentary; the film delves into political and social matters that remain relevant today.

“Muhammad and Mr. Cavett’s 48-year friendship played out publicly on late night television in the late 1960s, but it grew privately off screen,” said Lonnie Ali, co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center. “Both men admired and respected one another for their mutual intellect, humor, and curiosity about people.”

“Anyone who watched The Dick Cavett Show will remember the magic of Muhammad’s appearances on the program,” said Donald Lassere, President and CEO of the Ali Center, “especially the frank discussions they had about politics and society.  We are honored to show this film and to have Dick sitting in the audience, here at the Muhammad Ali Center.”

Doors open at 5:30pm. Limited seating available. $15 admission to the event. Tickets must be purchased online at https://alicenter.org/?event=ali-cavett-the-tale-of-the-tapes

For additional info about the film and to view the trailer: https://ew.com/movies/2018/03/08/muhammad-ali-dick-cavett-ali-cavett-the-tale-of-the-tapes/