MADAM PRESIDENT
SHE WAS THE PRESIDENT! When Woodrow Wilson suffers a massive stroke in 1919, First Lady Edith Wilson launches a mammoth White House cover-up and runs the presidency herself—for 18 months! Think “Iron Lady” (2011). Based on the true, actual historical events. Professional Coverage: “Recommend” Dave Trottier (Author, “The Screenwriter’s Bible”) Multiplt contest wins and placements
March 1915. Recently widowed President Woodrow Wilson falls in love with Washington, D.C. widow Edith Bolling Galt. In a whirlwind courtship, Wilson proposes marriage after knowing her just three months.
Edith is a remarkable woman: attractive, smart, and determined with a commanding presence. She is also in love with Woodrow Wilson, but demurely turns down his first marriage proposal -- it is too close to his wife’s death.
Relentless in pursuit, Wilson installs a phone between Edith and the White House, invites her to White House receptions, and even lets her decode top secret messages
When Wilson is informed that an old girlfriend is rumored to be selling his love letters, he rushes to Edith and makes a clean breast of everything (well, not really everything!)
Edith comes to Woodrow’s support. She accepts his explanation and proposal of marriage. They are married in December 1915: Edith moves into the White and starts taking command.
All social appointments must now be cleared by Edith. Resenting anyone close to the president than she is, she undermines the influence, and dismissal, of all of Wilson’s trusted advisors.
After his 1916 reelection, Wilson leads the country in war. Edith supports the war effort sponsoring sewing circles and feeding sheep on the White House lawn to save manpower.
Following the Armistice, Wilson heads the American delegation at the Peace Conference where he experiences the first of many mini-strokes. Back in the U.S., he faces fierce Republican opposition to the Peace Treaty and the proposed League of Nations.
To generate support for the League, Wilson embarks on a nationwide tour cut short by another mini-stroke. Returning to Washington he suffers a major stroke leaving him a complete invalid.
Fearing a resignation will remove the incentive to recovery -- and aided by Wilson physician Dr. Cary Grayson-- Edith initiates a White House cover-up of the president’s disability. A senate “smelling committee” is deceived in a carefully orchestrated meeting where Wilson -- high on drugs -- appears to be in control.
The cover-up is amazingly successful. Wilson spends his days in a wheelchair, watching silent films and ranting about running for a third term. Edith process all the Presidential correspondence, referring them to the Cabinet, with instructions presumably given by the president. Wilson’s rubber signature stamp is used effectively by Edith.
Edith manages this charade from October 1919 until March 1921. Incredible, but true! Wilson leaves office but never fully recovers; he dies in 1924. Edith becomes the guardian of the Wilson heritage and fierce defender of his place in history. She dies in 1961.
In 2007, Dr. Grayson’s records of Wilson’s stroke were released for the first time. They exposed the extent of the president’s disability.
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!One, Second Summer (Young Adult/Romance/Sci-Fi/Dramedy)
Second Summer on Cape Cod is usually a quiet time, until a spaceship of wacky extraterrestrials come to visit, and two fearless tween-agers, determined to meet them, find out why.
Bewitching Hitler: The Coven that Beat the Nazis and Saved the Wolrd! (Historical Fiction/Dramedy/Romance - based on actual events.)
A plucky UK/New Forest Witch Coven conjures an ancient magic spell to prevent Hitler from winning World War II.
Illicit
In a daring escape from their high-stakes corporate lives and familial responsibilities, two married executives find themselves entangled in a passionate affair at an upscale hotel.
Beyond Forever
Reeling from a devastating personal tragedy, a man abandons his successful career, family, and friends to embark on a one-way journey to Mars through an avant-garde space exploration initiative.
BOOM!Town (Parody of Crime/Mob Story/Dramedy)
After a bloody car bombing, a blown-off human foot lands on the roof of a retired, cash-poor mob cleaner who schemes to extort the Mafia Don that ordered the hit, unaware his wacky plan may help the FBI catch the cut-throat gangster.
My Name is Wallace (Romantic Comedy/Differently-Abled/Dramedy)
A lonely, autistic man misunderstands a computer ad, connects to a fantasy-sex site, and falls in love.
MAD DADDY! (Historical Fiction/BIO/Dramedy)
A wildly talented, schizophrenic 1950s rock deejay—at the height of his radio success—contemplates suicide, then faces intervention by a series of ghosts from his past.
Happy New Year, Mr. Kates! (Hoilday/Dramedy/Magical Realism)
A contemporary holiday tale about a grumpy old man who resides in the memory unit of nursing home, and is presented with a gripping bargain by a mystical stranger: the chance to swap his inconsequential life for that of a lost child’s, one snowy New Year's Eve.
The Confession (Elevated Horror/Drama/Thriller)
A shy eight-year-old Catholic girl commits a petty crime to have a
Radioland! (Coming of Age/Psychological/Comedy/Drama/Memoir
A naïve 12-year-old boy, falls in love with a fantasy, learns the truth about his fatally flawed hero -- a 1960s Top 40 radio deejay -- and discovers the bittersweet
