Politico’s Ben Smith joked Monday that Charles Mee’s 1980 novel, The Ohio Gang—about President Warren G. Harding’s friends who corrupted his administration and caused at least one suicide and jail time—would make for an “unlikely thriller.” But Mee’s book, which a television producer plans to turn into a movie called Unscrupulous, isn’t the only Harding-related project in the works.
Warner Brothers is also working on an adaptation of Glenn David Gould’s Carter Beats the Devil, the author’s debut novel about a 1920s magician who may be responsible for Harding’s premature death by way of a spectacularly nasty magic trick. The project has been bumping around Hollywood for a while, but with director Alexander Payne—who has specialized in tart political satires but may be looking to move into more epic territory—interested in the project, its chances may be better.
Harding isn’t such a shocking choice for a movie subject: The spectacular corruption of his administration, most notably the bribery scandal over the Teapot Dome oil fields on public land, offers directors and writers an opportunity to play with the ideas of Washington downfall without having to delve too deeply into contemporary politics. If you want to say corruption’s bad without saying Republicans caused it and pointing to Jack Abramoff, it’s a lot easier to look to the past. Unfortunately for fans of Washington filming, much of the action for the sexier of the two films, Carter Beats the Devil, takes place in San Francisco and exotic locations outside the country. We’ll just have to content ourselves with the magic-free scandal—and with Charles Mee adaptations here in Washington.
The Next Hot President: Warren G. Harding?
Hollywood is lining up two big pictures based on the 29th President
Politico’s Ben Smith joked Monday that Charles Mee’s 1980 novel, The Ohio Gang—about President Warren G. Harding’s friends who corrupted his administration and caused at least one suicide and jail time—would make for an “unlikely thriller.” But Mee’s book, which a television producer plans to turn into a movie called Unscrupulous, isn’t the only Harding-related project in the works.
Warner Brothers is also working on an adaptation of Glenn David Gould’s Carter Beats the Devil, the author’s debut novel about a 1920s magician who may be responsible for Harding’s premature death by way of a spectacularly nasty magic trick. The project has been bumping around Hollywood for a while, but with director Alexander Payne—who has specialized in tart political satires but may be looking to move into more epic territory—interested in the project, its chances may be better.
Harding isn’t such a shocking choice for a movie subject: The spectacular corruption of his administration, most notably the bribery scandal over the Teapot Dome oil fields on public land, offers directors and writers an opportunity to play with the ideas of Washington downfall without having to delve too deeply into contemporary politics. If you want to say corruption’s bad without saying Republicans caused it and pointing to Jack Abramoff, it’s a lot easier to look to the past. Unfortunately for fans of Washington filming, much of the action for the sexier of the two films, Carter Beats the Devil, takes place in San Francisco and exotic locations outside the country. We’ll just have to content ourselves with the magic-free scandal—and with Charles Mee adaptations here in Washington.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Best of Washington 2023: Things to Eat, Drink, Do, and Know Right Now
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
These Volunteers Wake Up at Dawn to Collect DC’s Dead—and Injured—Birds
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This May
Democrats and Republicans Pass Balls, Not Bills, at Congressional Soccer Game
3 New Memoirs by Prominent Women
Everything You Wanted to Know About Urban Bear Sightings but Were Afraid to Ask, Because Who Wants to Get That Close to a Bear?
Rockville Police Are Searching for Culprits of a $4,500 Pickleball Paddle Heist
Dozens of Vintage Planes Will Fly Over the National Mall This Saturday
PHOTOS: “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Queens Work It at the National Mall