Never Read Buchwald Story, Murphy Says

Comedian Eddie Murphy, in a sworn deposition released Friday, said he never read a story sold to Paramount Pictures by humorist Art Buchwald, but was familiar with the idea and liked it.

Even so, Murphy says in the deposition that he and talk-show host Arsenio Hall wrote the concept for the hit movie “Coming to America,” countering Buchwald’s claims that the movie was based on his story treatment, “King for a Day.”

“Coming to America” is about an African prince, played by Murphy, who comes to New York to find a bride. Buchwald’s story concept focused on a contemptuous king from an oil-rich African nation who is stranded in Washington when he is overthrown.

A Los Angeles Superior Court trial in the $5-million breach-of-contract case began last week, focusing on Buchwald’s allegation that Paramount stole his idea to make “Coming to America,” which was the third-biggest hit of 1988, grossing $300 million. Murphy has said he will not testify in the case. His deposition was taken Oct. 12 by Buchwald’s lawyer, Pierce O’Donnell.