This is the first script written by Cash and Epps based on their own original idea. This is a draft that was optioned by Producer/Director Bud Yorkin, producer of ALL IN THE FAMILY, but was never produced. The rights reverted to Cash and Epps and we currently hold all worldwide rights. This screenplay is the end result of 2 ½ years of work using the mails, cassette tape, and phone conversations. We wrote several drafts of the screenplay, but I do not believe they exist. I am continuing to look for our very first draft on this project and do not believe I threw it away. It shows how far we came from our early attempts.

We earned option money on this draft and that not only gave us money to live, but gave us the confidence to continue writing together. We knew we clicked. IZZY AND MOE was an idea that Jim pitched to me at the MSU Union Grill and one of ten we wrote down that afternoon. I had come back to Michigan to retrieve my motorcycle and bring it back to California. I thought I would visit MSU and also visit Jim Cash, my former screenwriting professor. Little did I realize the way fate was directing my life. I really didn’t get the concept until I was riding cross-country on my motorcycle and I suddenly got it. When I got to California, I called Jim and was very excited about the idea. We started working on it immediately.

I know you have an autographed copy from Jim. If it’s an original autographed copy that is rare and thought you might like to keep that one from too many hands. I believe that Jim and I only autographed one or two drafts of any screenplay together. He autographed a lot of material in East Lansing in connection with TOP GUN—mainly videotapes and such.