BULLY! (Teddy Roosevelt and the Panama Canal)
CHARGE! Rough Rider President Teddy Roosevelt takes on all comers – Banana Republics, Wall Street bigwigs and Congress – to build the Panama Canal. The real story. Can be expanded to TV miniseries. Professional Coverage: “Recommend” Dave Trottier (Author “The Screenwriter’s Bible.”) Multiple contest wins and placements
TR upsets the staid Washington political scene with his enthusiasm and progressive ideas. His first project: the interoceanic canal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, either through Panama or Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan route is popular and is being championed by Congress. TR says he’s neutral (Or is he?) and insists Congress decide the route. But he’s suspicious of foreign involvement and a Panama beset by revolutionaries seeking secession from Colombia.
Meanwhile French promoter Philippe Barilla enlists the service of Washington lobbyist William Nelson to change the national mood about Panama. Nelson believes this can be done but will require “something big” to make it happen.
Nelson then secures the monetary support of Financier J.P.Morgan, who sees it as an opportunity to own a country!
Anticipating potential military action in Panama, TR sends two Army spies to survey the military options. The spies verify the involvement of Germany operatives.
A volcanic eruption on Martinique galvanizes world-wide fear of volcanoes. Then, on the eve of approval of the Nicaraguan route, it is reported that Mount Momotombo, in Nicaragua, has also erupted. (Or did it?) Nelson and Barilla follow-up with anti-Nicaraguan pamphlets and, with Morgan’s money, they intimidate Congress. The Panama route is approved.
Then, Colombia, in hopes of getting more money from America, reneges on permission to build a canal. TR, enraged, plans an invasion to seize Panama from Columbia. But the revolutionary movement, funded by J.P. Morgan, seizes the moment, secedes from Colombia and announces the new of Republic of Panama. They’re backed-up by the American Navy sent to Panama to protect the Panamanian railroad, by treaty.
TR immediately recognizes the Republic of Panama and begins successful negotiations for building the canal. Roosevelt maintains the revolution was spontaneous and he had no involvement. (Hah!)
Throughout the story TR exhibits the strengths and foibles of America’s most fascinating president: • He changes the name of the Executive Mansion to “The White House.” • He leads bodyguards on a horseback chase through Rock Creek Park, shooting his pistol. • He spars with ex-heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan. • He swims the icy Potomac River completely naked. • He leads his cabinet in a musical romp on the Presidential yacht. • He invites Black activist Booker T. Washington to dinner at the White House. • He submerses in the first American submarine, the U.S.S Plunger.
As the story ends, TR is asked to mediate the Russo-Japanese war. “That’s a bully idea,” he says, “absolutely bully!”
Screenplays
Jim specializes in screenplays based on historical true events (including musicals), bio/pics and/or disasters. In alphabetical order:
“BOJANGLES, EUBIE AND BERT!” Three Black musical legends of the past – Bert Williams, Eubie Blake and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson – relive their show business success in spite of racism and theatrical bigotry.
ScriptLinks
Post Your Script Here!LIKE PULLING TEETH
When in 1910 New York City a dentist accidently finds himself with a second job as a private investigator, he eavesdrops on one of the greatest country-changing secret meetings, becoming a dangerous loose end.
Xanadu Shores: Proof of Concept (PoC)
Two ex-pilots become embroiled in a kidnapping and gold heist, after an employer's scheme escalates from theft to kidnapping.
Xanadu Shores 12 Pages.w
Two ex-pilots become embroiled in a kidnapping and gold heist, after an employer's scheme escalates from theft to kidnapping.
RUNNING FROM DEATH
Trials and tribulations of the notorious John Wesley Hardin, 1800’s Texas gunfighter, who’s gunfighting abilities are tested while he runs from death throughout his life.
AT THE MERCY OF FAITH
A former preacher, haunted by the tragic rape/murder of his twin sister, spirals into darkness as supernatural forces, both angelic and demonic, wage war for his soul.
PITTSBURGH PHIL
Biopic of Harry Strauss, a.k.a.
Suicide Prevention - Please Hold
Ex Navy Pilot returns home anticipating matrimony, abandoned by his bride to be, contemplating suicide.
THE SOCIAL POLICE
Twenty years from now, an FBI agent patrols the social media.
CIRQUE D' ETOILES
*** Russian astronaut, thrown out of the space program, hijacks a space taxi going to the International Space Station.
THE CALL CENTER
Locusts invade the building, the adherence schedules are off kilter, and one of the night managers is watching TV and preaching the word.
