Bishop movie?

I heard an unsubstantiated (so far) rumor that there is a Billy Bishop movie in the works. The source was my parents, who are entirely susceptible to mishearing things on the radio, but they are certain they heard mention of a Bishop movie in the works. Anybody else hear anything of it?

When I was scouting the Bishop story as material for a feature screenplay, I talked to Arthur Bishop, son of Billy, who said that when Baton Broadcasting Systems planned to make a movie of the week about it back in 1980(?), they bought not just the movie rights but the entire property of _Courage Of The Early Morning_ as a basis for the series. They had a script written by an established Canadian writer, eight biplanes built, and a shooting schedule. Suddenly, for reasons I haven't been able to deduce, the project was "grounded." Some speculate that finances were the root of the problem (aren't they always?).

Seventeen years later, I inquired at BBS as to the status of the Bishop project. Their legal department told me that the project was not canned, but put into limbo while BBS excercised a recession in content creation (ie. rested on their pudgy laurels...). Coincidences being what they are, he said my inquiry may very well spark a renewed interest in the project, as the mandate for content creation at BBS was swinging back into active mode.

Haven't heard much since, but haven't been looking. I'll be keeping watch now, though. Here's hoping it gets made, and here's hoping it doesn't suck.

I remain,
RK

[Billy_Bishop]

Tell me what you think about this. Over in the Delphi Forums, in the Flight Simulator forum, it was suggested that I write a book about why Bishop is a hero to me, concerning what I believe to be myth, and real, and why and all that.

This got me to thinking. I may have to set down and actually do it.

Best Regards,

Al Lowe 'Honourary Canuck'

Ray, it's possible your parents heard something about the 20th-anniversary production of " Billy Bishop Goes to War," which is currently on stage in Toronto with a somewhat older Eric Petersen repeating his performance as Bishop. I remember seeing the show 20 years ago, and talking with Petersen afterward, and heartily recommend it to anyone who has an opportunity to see it.

As for Baton Broadcasting paying for the construction of even a single biplane for a Bishop TV-movie, I'll believe that when the planes in question fly out of my butt. Those cheap @#%*!! are notorious in the broadcasting industry for undercutting budgets and chopping staff. I wouldn't pin any hopes on seeing any believable Bishop film from BBS.

[mike_baram]

Al,
Go for it...it'll keep you out of cheap bars and pool halls for a while. <G>
Mike

[Billy_Bishop]

Mike, it would keep me busy for a LONG time. Even with the little material I have now, I figure it would take me a year+ to get very much. And as I'm going to Canada next month for more info, I figure to have enough to keep me busy at least 2 years, unless I find a short cut somewhere.

I figured I'd give it a try, but I have to get the first part done, and that's gonna be the tough part, getting started.

Later y'all,

Al Lowe

Michael: I have seen BBGTW, both on CBC aeons ago (I was a twelve-year-old singing "Gotta fly, gotta fly so high like a bird in the sky with my wind in my hair and sun burning in my eyes"* ), and again, more recently on stage in Oakville. Wondering where I can buy the CD with excerpts from Peterson's original performance (considering stealing it from York Library).

Al, you going to be in the Toronto area? Maybe we can rendez-vous, perhaps at "The Pilot" tavern in Yorkville.

I remain,
RK

* And I am going to fly, it seems. I've got a ticket to fly in a Steerman trainer as a birthday present. It's no Fokker D.VII, but it's an open cockpit biplane, and I'm looking forward to good weather on Friday. I was at Hamilton airport on Saturday, but it was too windy to fly.

Ray: Write down the label and ID number info from the library CD, then ask someone like Grigorians (if you know where the Pilot is, you can find Grigorians) to order it for you. Speaking as the husband of a librarian, I request that you not steal the library CD. (I have the vinyl LP of the original cast recording; if I had a turntable I'd make a tape copy for you.)

As for the Stearman: if the pilot is willing, I think you'll find a joyride in that bus more than satisfying enough. I went up over Ottawa a couple of years ago, and ended up with several pages of notes based on just one short flight. The comparison with the bio notes I have for WWI pilots' first flights is impressive.

Ray, I've got the LP as well (and a turntable!) So, if you wish, and hoping that no pro-copyright lawyers are around, I can make you a copy.

I know Al has been in contact with me to make it at least as far as Kitchener-Waterloo so we can rendez-vous at the Wilfrid Laurier University library.

And yes Mike, I will make sure he doesn't drool all over the books. This alumnus would prefer to see the books remain intact.

Perhaps Ray you and I could get together, since it seems we aren't all that far apart..?

I heard on CBC Radio the other night an interview with John Gray and Eric Peterson. Their 20th Anniversary tour will take them to Victoria, Winnipeg, London, and Montreal, if I remember correctly. I called TicketMaster the same night the interview was on(Thurs. Oct 1), and the guy had oodles of seats available for the night I asked for...and I'm talking the top dollar seats...

I remember the talk about the BBS production. Your 'interest', to their legal department, means thqat someone remembers the project and they can't scrap it in its entirety..

Steve

Steven E. Dieter BA BA(Hons)
Former Historian
Billy Bishop Heritage & Museum

When are you meeting in Kitchener? When is BBGTW playing in London?

RK