GENERAL GRANT IS DOOMED!
“NEVER RETREAT, NEVER SURRENDER!” Ex-President Ulysses S. Grant struggles to complete his “Personal Memoirs” while combatting terminal cancer. He produces a masterpiece. The true story. Can be expanded to TV miniseries. Professional Coverage: “Recommend” - Dave Trottier (Author, The Screenwriter’s Bible) Multiple contest wins and placements
Undaunted, Grant proceeds with the formidable writing project in spite of violent coughing fits and a deteriorating physical condition.
Grant’s memories are depicted in the film as he writes the “Memoirs”. He recounts…
• The early days at West Point, his outstanding horsemanship, mathematical ability, and artistic talents, • His physical strength and heroic performance in the Mexican War, including encounters with Robert E. Lee, • His determination in leading his regiment to a California outpost via Isthmus of Panama during a cholera epidemic, • His resignation from the Army, drinking accusations, and subsequent failure in business, • His recall to active duty in the Civil War, and meteoric rise to Brigadier General, • His unique ability to concentrate and evaluate a situation – military or otherwise – and develop a clear, practical solution that works, • The Battle of Fort Donelson -- where he becomes “Unconditional Surrender” Grant, • His inner turmoil over Civil War casualties, • The surrender of General Lee at Appomattox.
Grant suffers greatly during this writing ordeal. He is unable to swallow without intense pain, and eventually loses his ability to speak.
His wife Julia, and children Nellie and Fred Grant stand by him – and also suffer -- throughout this ordeal.
Grant’s illness sparks a nation-wide death watch. Reporters camp out by his home and even try to dupe his doctors and the housemaid to get further information.
Then Grant has a severe choking experience which nearly kills him. Saved by his doctors – who use a unique medical procedure -- the Ol’ Warrior rallies and vows to finish his manuscript.
In June, 1885 Grant is moved to the Mt. McGregor Cottage in upstate New York to avoid the blistering heat of New York City.
There he complete his manuscript and dies on July 23, 1885.
The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant were published shortly after his death. Mark Twain's company printed 350,000 sets -- 700,000 volumes -- a record number of books for that time.
Grant’s “Personal Memoirs” were a great success -- praised by the public, historians and literary critics. They have been acclaimed as the foremost military memoir in the English Language.
They have never gone out of print.
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!My Greatest Enemy--Myself! Episode 3: THE BOY WHO EARNED HIS MAGIC
Howell's rising doubts about his friends have disastrous results.
Only You Can Help Her. EPISODE ONE/PILOT: THE BOY WHO EARNED HIS MAGIC
When a boy's mother vanishes after a car crash, he's thrust into a perilous quest.
A DAY AT THE RODEO
A wealthy, widowed New York socialite, and a know-it-all preacher enters the unfamiliar world of rodeo, determined to “rescue” the widow’s wayward daughter who has fallen for a young bull rider.
BORDERLINE JUSTICE
Rita Fuentes, a fiery, attractive Latina social worker introduces Martin Wilkins, a law-and-order judge, to the violent, politically charged world of power, money, illegals, and life for the drug mules--like Demetria Plascentia, and his foolish new son-in-law, Antonio Borja--he condemns daily in his courtroom.
AND WE WERE LEFT DARKLING
As Wallenberg and Eichmann play chess, they confront the question of whether humans worship the God of Love, or the replacement God of Macht or Power.
THE QUISLING
A young lawyer defends a wanted terrorist from international extradition.
ALTA CALIFORNIA
It is “The Mission Era” in California.
FURGROW BIRDS SPIRITUAL ROSE
When a dog loses his owner and home, he discovers a dark conspiracy involving an evil king, a hidden realm, and God's magical crystals used to alter the world.
Furgrow Birds back to the beginning
When a dog loses his owner and home, he discovers a dark conspiracy involving an evil king, a hidden realm, and God's magical crystals used to alter the world.
Not About Money
A competent late forties corporate gal gets promoted into management, but is soon demoted and faced with a battle of resilience, justice, and a lawsuit while an unexpected ally attempts to redeem himself and discloses the unscrupulous ruler behind the scheme to oust her.
