Fists of Steel (Archive of original screenplay and production materials for the 1989 film)

Las Vegas: Sanford International Entertainment, Inc, 1989. Archive of Draft script and production materials for the 1989 film. The script, here under the working title "Fists of Steel Part 1," contains two annotations of page numbers in manuscript ink. Included in the archive are two investment proposals, a seven page Cast Sheet, a two page Staff and Crew List, a completion agreement from Media Guarantors International (MGI), and lastly, a two page poem by director and screenwriter Jerry Schafer, entitled "The Hell Bound Train," boldly signed in manuscript ink, which begins with the line, "A producer lay on the barroom floor."

The 24 page investment proposal, housed in a folder with clear acrylic cover, is for the production of "Fists of Steel" as well as its proposed sequel, and includes, an illustrated cover, synopsis, sequel synopsis, letter of interest from motion picture distribution company, Seymour Borde & Associates (B&A), statement regarding US Hispanic Chambers of Commerce's support and promotion, two page statement expounding the need for an effective Hispanic role model (Carlos Palomino), "Background Data" for investors, credits for the two leads and headshot of Henry Silva, newspaper articles on Schafer and Palomino, and a letter of support from the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce.

The second 19 page investment proposal focuses largely on Schafer's concerns for Hispanic representation in media and, again, promotes the need for an effective Hispanic role model, for which Schafer believes Palomino is ideally suited. Included in the proposal is a letter from Abel Quintela, President of the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a letter from Honolulu Mayor, Frank Fasi, a three-page synopsis, a six page investment summary promoting Hispanic concerns and opportunities, newspaper articles on Schafer and Palomino, a second letter from Quintela to S&P Productions giving the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's endorsement of the film, and a letter from the Executive Director of the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce.

Former boxer and Vietnam veteran, Carlos Diaz (Palomino), has literal "Fists of Steel," and goes up against a terrorist group hiding in Hawaii, responsible for the execution of his father.

Conceived as platform for former boxing champion Palomino to become a national role model for Mexican Americans and the Hispanic community in general, the film never received a proper theatrical release. It has since become a much sought out cult classic.

Set in and shot on location in Oahu, Hawaii.

Gray titled wrappers, with credits for director J Schafer. Title page present. 140 leaves, with last page of text unnumbered. Mechanical duplication, rectos only, with six pink revision pages, undated. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine, unbound, with velo-binding hole punches.

24 page Investment Proposal, Near Fine, bound internally with two metal brads.

19 page Investment Proposal, Near Fine, bound with single staple on upper left.

7 page Cast Sheet, dated 5/28/88, Near Fine, bound with single staple on upper left.

2 page Staff & Crew List, dated 5/19/88, Near Fine, bound with single staple on upper left.

Completion Agreement, dated April 24, 1988, Near Fine.

Poem, 2 pages, Near Fine, bound with a paper clip on upper left.