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!Jeb
In the wake of Stonewall, Yale professor John Boswell races against time and his own mortality to uncover hidden truths in history, sparking a battle between erasure and acceptance and inspiring a cultural revolution.
Xanadu Shores II:
In “All That Glitters”, the four friends from “Xanadu Shores-The Pilot,” form the "The Xanadu Team," offering security and transportation by land, sea and air, soon involving themselves with a nefarious jeweler and his charming assistant during an island gem heist, which escalates to international espionage and an end of world scenario led by a wealthy megalomaniac bent on global domination in "Rescuing Atlas.
Xanadu Shores I:
Four friends become entrapped after their employer's gold heist escalates to kidnapping.
UNCLE FRANCO'S BIRTHDAY SUIT
Paolo’s relatives, including his zany Uncle Franco, are determined to reunite their nephew with his teenage love, Magdalena.
Xanadu Shores: 10 Minute PoC for The TV Pilot
This Proof of Concept showcases the central characters being introduced with sex appeal, in an office reception area, before the heist, kidnapping and chase.
Palo Alto Bang & Burn
Trapped under siege in a secret government outpost, a young professor leads his team against terrorists, traitors, and the terrifying suspicion that non-human intelligence already controls the planet.
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.
Eternal Blessings
After taking up residence at her Indian guru's commune, a woman’s loyalty is pushed to the brink when she’s asked to help assassinate a commune rival.
525 PERUGIA WAY
A troubled vice detective is pulled into a deadly game of secrets and sabotage when a clandestine meeting between Elvis Presley and The Beatles turns into a murder scene.
Osali
Osali is about a ghost of a witch who was murdered during the Salem witch trials.
