• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

William Landay

Official website of the author

  • Books
    • All That Is Mine
    • Defending Jacob
    • The Strangler
    • Mission Flats
  • News
  • Events
    • Appearances
    • Podcasts
    • Print
  • About

On the Waterfront

The origin of “I coulda been a contender”

October 2, 2010

A note from screenwriter Budd Schulberg to a fan, jotted on the back of an index card, explains the origin of the famous line from “On the Waterfront.” The note reads:

12/7/89

For Bobby Cotton —

From an old fight fan who actually heard a friend of his (an ex-pug) say, “I coulda been a contender…” A lot of writing is simply careful listening.

Sincerely,

Budd Schulberg

Now, about that one-way ticket to Palookaville…

Filed Under: Movies, Writing Tagged With: Budd Schulberg, letters, On the Waterfront

Footer

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • Goodreads
  • Instagram
  • Twitter