THEATRE OF DEATH
In 1903 Chicago, a crusading reporter exposes of the “Absolutely Fireproof” Iroquois Theatre, as a fire trap. He is proven right. Based on the true incident. No one was ever punished. Professional Coverage: "Recommend” - Dave Trottier (Author “The Screenwriter's Bible")
OFFICIAL FINALIST - Hollywood Screenwriting Contest
Theatrical producers decide to build a magnificent theater in 1903 Chicago for the epic production, "Mr. Bluebeard," being imported from London. The show will star Eddie Foy, the most popular entertainer of his day, with a cast of 200 performers, including a death-defying aerial act.
The Iroquois Theatre is to be the largest, most modern theater in the country. They retain the best theater architect of that era and the most renowned construction company. The theatre is promoted as being "absolutely fireproof."
Jack Conway, a theatrical reporter, is assigned to do a feature story, with unspoken instructions for a favorable review to generate lucrative newspaper advertising. He is given complete access to the theatre site and is, at first, impressed with its scope. Gradually, however, he becomes aware of serious safety hazards: no sprinkler systems, flammable construction materials, no direct connections to the fire department, hidden exit doors, a flammable asbestos curtain, etc.
In his investigations Jack - a married man with two children -- meets Lilly Rider, the flirtatious aerial performer with whom he has a brief but significant affair.
Jack's editor refuses to print an expose. The theatre manager gives Jack four tickets to the December 30 Children's matinee as an enticement. The theatre owners now impede Jack's investigation and even have him mugged. Undaunted, Jack brings his information to the Mayor who refuses to believe the accusations.
Jack is suddenly fired by his editor. Coming home slightly drunk he discovers his wife has taken his two children to the Children's matinee, using the bribery tickets. He rushes to the theatre and discovers that a fire has broken out with his family is inside.
The backstage fire is calamitous. A fireball caused by a back draft virtually annihilates the orchestra audience and speeds to the upper balconies. Eddie Foy heroically tries to calm the audience. Jack rescues his family and others using his knowledge of cellar exits uncovered in his investigation.
Jack's wife, Mary, a trained and determined social worker, aids Jack in getting families out of the theatre and later assists in the recovery hospital and morgue.
Many casual passersby, including a Church Bishop and a locksmith are pulled into the panic and struggle to save lives. The owner of the restaurant adjacent of the theatre offers his restaurant as a refuge and hospital. The fire scenes are quite graphic.
Characters introduced during the story -- young performers who are lovers, stage hands, cast and crew, etc. -- most in their twenties -- meet various fates during the fire, with some heroics and tragedy.
The Fire Department arrives too late but attempts to rescue people trapped on incomplete fire escapes and forced to jump. The fire is eventually brought under control.
Chicago closes own for the New Year's Holiday as funerals dominate the city. The Iroquois Theatre fire is the largest building fire in US history. The loss of life is tremendous - 603 deaths, mostly woman and children.
The official investigation is a whitewash. During the courtroom scene all the principals feign innocence. No one is ever punished.
Eddie Foy becomes a national hero. Jack becomes an investigative reporter exposing government corruption. Jack's wife, who is now pregnant, comments on promoting a theater as "absolutely fireproof." "It's like building a ship and saying it's unsinkable." "An unsinkable ship?" jests Jack, "No, they'd never say that!"
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!THE FAT LADY SINGS
When a small time private investigator gets a chance at the big time taking on a prominent politician’s wife’s case; neither realizes they are in way over their heads, the political party has been shadowing her, and will do anything to protect her husband, a presumed future presidential candidate.
Fingertips
A Psychological Horror With a twist of a psychotic individual suffering from psychosocial issues has an imaginary friend that’s part of his hallucinations his Imaginary friend is his British father a young proud to be American, forgets his medication after collecting it from a Pharmacy he causes a lot of mayhem around his area he thinks the worlds in his fingertips he chases down social media Influencers and artists by hacking and tracking their location constantly talking to himself as he hallucinates thinking He can see his British Father is around him, Kevin ends up with a chainsaw and gets a few round kills with his Chainsaw he stole from an old granny.
A Cracker in East Harlem
JIMMY J is 50 and has lived in the same East Harlem building for more than half of his life.
Free Sports Radio
Two Filipino-American brothers purchase a radio station in a small city, dreaming of commercial free sports talk, but their ambitious, younger sister has bigger plans for herself and the station.
Desert Quarry
Two mercenaries rob a former colleague's New York jewelry shop to even a score, but after the shop’s employees are found murdered, a deadly bank heist in Iraq begins to haunt them.
Perfect Contrition
A traumatized priest haunted by visions of his violent past obligingly serves a rural parish while indulging in a long distance affair, but his vindictive compulsion is sparked when he’s wrongly blamed for the deaths of two troubled altar boys.
LA Nights
It is 1973, and Quick operates an upscale after-hours establishment in West Los Angeles alongside his socialite son, Dizzy.
The Coventry Deception
After a crisis thrusts him into the presidency, Robert Gorley confronts the challenges of leadership as he deals with a power struggle, an assassination attempt, and a ruthless terrorist plot to launch multiple attacks on US soil.
Untouchable!
A blonde bombshell in stainless steel becomes a femme fatale - a relentless tiger with razor-sharp-toothed-pen spilling blood across the pages leaving nowhere, for the perpetrators - to turn - to hide - no 'out'! .
Burning Old Man
A group of grade school friends reconnect to throw a communal sixty-fifth birthday party for one another - leading to a Burning Man type celebration.