# The Why isn't this Book a Movie Already Thread? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686 "2017-03-21T14:23:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/141 "2017-03-28T17:22:51Z")
BTW, any/all the cons I have participated in and/or attended have had strict rules against selling unauthorized merchandise, and will boot dealers that attempt tricks like the one you pulled. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/142 "2017-03-28T18:50:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Riight. You don’t think the man who owns the rights to their name and likeness might be a bit upset because of all the dealers that were ripping him off? By the way, how much did you pay the Heinlein estate for the right to sell “flat cats”? None, they didnt ask for any. You know, you have a handful of unemployed college students making a hundred bucks selling their handcrafts over a con weekend to support their fandom, and you’re talking “rip off”, right? :dubious: The girls made the money, i didnt make a dime from the tribble/flat cats. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/143 "2017-03-28T18:51:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > BTW, any/all the cons I have participated in and/or attended have had strict rules against selling unauthorized merchandise, and will boot dealers that attempt tricks like the one you pulled. Not at a fan run con in the 1970’s they didnt. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/144 "2017-03-28T18:58:59Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Not at a fan run con in the 1970’s they didnt. Not for profit fan-run cons are the only ones I have ever gone to since the 70’s-it’s no excuse for copyright infringement, and neither is “they didn’t ask for anything”. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/145 "2017-03-28T21:32:18Z")
Possibly not a feature film, but more an American version of BBC’s “Mystery.” The one I was thinking about is the delightful series of mysteries featuring,"Mr and Mrs. North."They are pretty much set in the '50s (and written during them too by the Lockridges). It’s sort of “I Love Lucy” meets “Madmen” and Nick and Nora Charles with George Burns and Gracie Allen thrown in for good measure. I have no idea who could pull off the characters, especially the wife, but I would love to see the attempt. Maybe Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston could get back together. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/146 "2017-03-28T21:35:52Z")
I’d like to see “The Saint” done right as a period piece. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2017, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/147 "2017-03-28T22:02:57Z")
> [@pohjonen](#): > > Lucifer’s Hammer. That reminds me - time to read it again. Okay, with or without the jive-talking cannibals? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/148 "2017-03-29T00:47:46Z")
_Imajica_ by Clive Barker would make a good series. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/149 "2017-03-29T01:40:25Z")
Ellen Raskin wrote two children’s books that are literary powerhouses. One, a Newbery winner was made into one of the crappiest films of all time, but it was such a departure from the book, that it’s almost fair to say that no one has truly made a film of the book. I’d like to see a mini-series of _The Westing Game_. There’s too much material for a film. Also, it needs to be set in the 70s, not “updated.” It’s too bad no one made it while the late, great Jerry Orbach was alive, because there’s a perfect role for him. _The Westing Game_ I’d like to see as hour-long episodes with approximately two chapters per episode. It could easily play out in a season that way. Raskins equally good, but a little scarier (which is maybe why it didn’t win an award) is _The Tattooed Potato: and other clues_. It would also only work if it were set in the 70s, the time it was written in. Last, I’d like to see a really creative production of _The daughter of Time_ Obviously, you can’t just have voice-overs for everything. When Grant reads _The Rose of Raby_, or Brent reports Stillington’s announcement to the council, it would need to be dramatized, and good transitions that made it easy for the viewer to follow. But I can see lots of opportunities for opening up the book, while still communicating the “prickles of boredom” that Grant initially felt which got him on the journey in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2017, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/150 "2017-03-29T04:05:14Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > (Just stat away from the damned Agent Pendergast books) Heh. I have my own opinion (“If I may indulge in this '71 Château Pétrus for a moment…Meacham, eh? I loved your treatise on replacing electronic condensers with interocitors! It is an honor, sir!” :murmurs some Chongg Ran:🙂 but would love to hear what you bugs you about him. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/151 "2017-03-31T10:16:14Z")
Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair” has been filmed many times (in very abridged form), but I think my second-favourite book of his would make a good costume drama TV series: “The Newcomes”. The main characters (Clive and Ethel) have a long “will they or won’t they” relationship that seems naturally fitted for a TV show. ---
**Author:** ![TheseGoToEleven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/848f3c/32.png) [@TheseGoToEleven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheseGoToEleven)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/152 "2017-03-31T19:08:42Z")
Since I first read it in high school (1970’s), I’ve always thought Zelazny’s brilliant, cinematic descriptions of shadow-walking would be awesome on screen - if they could ever develop the SFX to do it. Well, we’re there. And in fact, I just found out that “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman agrees. He now owns the rights to the series, and is developing it for TV, a la “Game of Thrones” - throne hungry siblings, battling kingdoms, magic, existential quests… it’s all there (and in fact Zelazny and GRRM were friends). [http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/20/12242806/chronicle-of-amber-tv-adaptation-robert-kirkman-skybound](http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/20/12242806/chronicle-of-amber-tv-adaptation-robert-kirkman-skybound) ---
**Author:** ![foehn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b782af/32.png) [@foehn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foehn)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/153 "2017-04-02T00:54:39Z")
Universal empire with an Empress, spaceships, swords, trolls, sorcery, nudity, what more could you wish for? Another vote for The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/154 "2017-04-03T14:54:05Z")
I’m a huge Heinlein fan and and the above mentioned are certainly worthy of the Hollywood (in a good way) treatment. One that hasn’t been mentioned is Podkayne of Mars, which I think would make a good movie even if the ending is a little hard. Subterfuge, espionage, young love, drama, spaceships and cute animals. A little bit for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/155 "2017-04-03T14:55:54Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > I’m a huge Heinlein fan and and the above mentioned are certainly worthy of the Hollywood (in a good way) treatment. One that hasn’t been mentioned is Podkayne of Mars, which I think would make a good movie even if the ending is a little hard. Subterfuge, espionage, young love, drama, spaceships and cute animals. A little bit for everyone. Would you want the original ending, or the final one? ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/156 "2017-04-03T21:49:07Z")
I have the Baen version of the book that had both endings and I thought the original ending Heinlein envisioned would have more emotional impact but everyone likes a happy ending (so I’ve heard…):). ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/157 "2017-04-05T20:38:31Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > Startide Rising. Another space opera that couldn’t be done until recently (dolphins make up a fair chunk of the character base), but would translate fantastically to the screen. Yay! Startide Rising! The Uplift War would be easier to do and it would be more accessible, but I love the dolphin book. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686/158 "2017-04-05T20:58:20Z")
Ready Player One is in post production, due out next year, in 2018. I’m looking forward to that, but I guess seven years is not a long time to wait. Regarding Ringworld, I just love the stories with Protectors, so I might jump forward one book to Ringworld Engineers (or pull as Steve Jackson). Speaking of Niven, I wonder if Crashlander (the collected Beowulf Schaeffer stories) could yield a few stories to link together for a movie? Also, Lucifer’s Hammer has been mentioned upthread, and I agree that it is absolutely worth doing, especially now that we are years after Deep Impact. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-why-isnt-this-book-a-movie-already-thread/782686.md?page=7)