Madeleine McCann: Not A Film, A Book And The McCanns Making Money
MADDYWATCH - Anorak’s at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann
DAILY EXPRESS front page: “Madeleine’s parents planning Hollywood blockbuster movie”
“Kate and Gerry sparked outrage after it was revealed they have held negotiations with leading producers over the movie rights. The couple – who are prime suspects in the case – are also considering book and TV deals in a package worth an estimated £10million”
A book? Like the Daily Express book? That sick..?
Kate McCann: Michelle Pfeiffer
Gerry McCann: James Caan
Madeleine McCann: Macaulay Culkin
And what of this £10million, and the money earned from any film? “The windfall would help finance the search for Madeleine after concerns were raised that a special fund set up by the family was in crisis”
Page 5: The Find Madeleine fund is down to its last £400,000. More money is needed. So why the “outrage”?
Says the McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell: “We need money to search for Madeleine and that is the most important thing. Nothing has been decided yet. A film would be made on a percentage basis, with part of the profits going to the fund. None of the money would go to Kate and Gerry. They are not trying in any way to profit out of her name’’
And how many films ever make a profit? It would be a film, perhaps, like that about 15-year-old Amy Smart, abducted in the US and found eight months later. “Several movies were made about her while she was missing including The Amy Smart Story”
The “WORLD’S GREATEST NEWSPAPER” does not say if the Amy Smart story made any money. But it does trawl the web and see blog comments like:
“Angry” Pamela Blears, from Oldham, posts: “From the day little Madeleine disappeared I have felt sympathy and compassion for the McCanns but this beggers belief. How can they think about making a film out of the tragedy when the poor child hasn’t even been found yet? How low can you get?”
The Daily Express costs “ONLY 40p”
“McCANNS FEAR CHARGES SOON” – “A source close to the family” tells us: “Kate and Gerry insist they are innocent but they fear they will be charged. Naturally Kate and Gerry are concerned that if this line of inquiry continues to its natural conclusion, charges are always a possibility and they know that’s entirely wrong”
He added: “The Portuguese police seem to be blinkered in their approach and it feels like they want to find the McCanns guilty regardless.”
DAILY STAR front page: “MADDIE: THE £10M MOVIE – Skint parent to sell film rights”
Skint? The Find Madeleine Fund is dwindling, down to its last “£200,000”. But Gerry McCann is going back to work. He is, as the tabloids never tire to telling us, “a heart consultant”. She is a “GP”
Says the Star: “The couple – who are prime suspects – are in negotiations with the world’s biggest talent and entertainment agency IMG”
IMG – International Management Group– has produced the films Touching the Void, Assault on Waco, Seconds from Disaster, I Shouldn’t be Alive and Kevin and Perry Go Large. Naomi Campbell is on the books
Any film would be an “observational documentary following the on-going search for Madeleine,” says IMG
Pages 4 and5: “Thousands blast ‘sick’ plan”
A poll: “WOULD YOU GO AND WATCH MADDIE: THE MOVIE?” Yes? No? Or I’ve already seen tonight With Trevor McDonald, thanks?
“Ester out in crisis” – TV presenter Esther McVey has resigned her post as a director of the Find Madeleine fund
DAILY MAIL front page: “MADDIE’S PARENTS PLAN £2M FILM DEAL”
“Kate and Gerry McCann could make £2million from a film deal over the story of their daughter’s disappearance, it has been claimed”
Not £10m? Such are the perils of showbiz?
Says the paper: “So far the McCanns, both 39, have turned down offers from big-name chat shows and television dramas as they were anxious to avoid being seen as celebrities”
But we watching the parents. So why not make profit, if it will help?
“Disgraced banker Nick Leeson earned a reported £450,000 when he sold the rights to his autobiography, Rogue Trader. Offers to Austrian kidnap victim Natascha Kampusch were said to have topped £1million”
And: “But Gerry McCann was quick to deny the story”
COMMENT: “Maddie the movie: One step too far – Ever since their daughter Madeleine disappeared, Kate and Gerry McCann have ridden a wave of public sympathy. True, there are some (including the Portuguese police) who have aired deeply hurtful suspicions about the couple since that terrible evening in May. But the overwhelming public mood - particularly among parents of young children - has been one of compassion. Today, however, the McCanns risk losing much of that goodwill. Incredibly, it emerges that they are discussing a possible multi-million pound deal to turn Madeleine’s disappearance into a film. To be blunt, isn’t this pushing the boundaries of taste too far?”
But it is already the subject of a media circus. So why not a DVD – we’ve had the T-shirt, the song, the billboards and the trailers..?
ALISON PEARSON writes in her column: “What CAN Kate and Gerry be thinking? Critics who have never forgiven Gerry and Kate for leaving their kids alone in their holiday apartment will be confirmed in their view that the couple have truly terrible judgment. They will be accused of bad taste; of lacking respect for Madeleine’s memory. Kate will be charged with wanting to swan down the red carpet, even though in this case it is sorrow, not vanity, that has reduced her to a Hollywood Size Zero”
How did it become a story about Kate McCann’s looks?
DAILY MIRROR front page: “Maddy THE Movie”
The McCanns also met with ITV about making a documentary. Maddy A Movie…
THE SUN front page: “Maddie hunt ‘to be film’”
Page 9: “ They pary that movie will help find Maddie”
Gerry McCann is a “cardiac specialist”. The McCanns are “doctors”
“IS THIS THE RIGHT DECISION?”
“YES,” says Lorraine Kelly, GMTV presenter.
“NO,” says the Sun’s Jon ‘Guanty’ Gaunt - “I guess the title of the McCann’s proposed film has to be Home Alone”. Or not…
THE GUARDIAN: “McCanns deny reports of Madeleine film”
Writes Gerry McCann on his blog: “We can categorically deny that we are considering a movie about Madeleine’s disappearance. This is simply untrue. We are approached by a huge number of media outlets regarding a myriad of projects, only a tiny proportion of which we agree to. Each proposal is considered on whether it is likely to have a positive effect, either directly or indirectly, on the search for Madeleine”
ON the Guardian website: “Madeleine’s parents consider film - The parents of Madeleine McCann are considering giving the go-ahead to a film about their missing daughter following an approach by a major entertainment firm”
THE TIMES page 3: “Parents may turn Madeleine McCann story into a Hollywood movie”
“On-screen child horror stories:
A Cry In The Dark
Gone Baby Gone
Honour Thy Father And Mother: the True story of the Menendez Brothers
Menenedez: A Killing in Beverly Hills, 1994
The Amityville Horror series
Everybody’s Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure”
Says Clarence Mitchell: The media are making money out of the situation themselves and we feel it is only fair and right that some aspect of that should come to the fund to help find Madeleine”
DAILY TELGRAPH: “McCanns in talks to make a film about AMdldine’s disappearance”
“Do you think a Madeleine film should be made”
Well, we;’ve had the sop opera, and who wants to watch EastEnders: The Movie?
THE SCOTSMAN: “McCanns eye Madeleine film”
BOSTON HERALD: “Missing Madeleine story could become feature film”
The speculation, media hype and sensation so far
Posted: 9th, January 2008 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (1,585) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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January 9th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
1321
Julie Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
1319
RedRooster Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
40 minutes with your child missing would seem like 4 hours and considering kate was immediately convinced maddie had been abducted…how strange
**********************************
Exactly! But I’d like to hear Garth’s opinion … I genuinly would like to hear his answers to my 9 questions! A “missing” child should be reported IMMEDIATELY - no matter what the circumstances
……………………………………
sorry just trying to help - the floor is yours my dear
good luck
January 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
1319
RedRooster Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
40 minutes with your child missing would seem like 4 hours and considering kate was immediately convinced maddie had been abducted…how strange
**********************************
Exactly! But I’d like to hear Garth’s opinion … I genuinly would like to hear his answers to my 9 questions! A “missing” child should be reported IMMEDIATELY - no matter what the circumstances!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Yes, my opinion - not fact.
The first point is that the 40 minutes might not be quite as accurate as has been suggested. We dont know for sure. But anyway, lets take it as gospel.
I
January 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
1317
Julie Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
#
1311
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
And your account Julie………..
1. When they discovered their child had been “abducted” - did they immediately phone the police for help? NO!
*************************************
My opinion - NO! The call to the police was made at 10H40 - a full 40 minutes after the child was discovered as missing - 40 minutes too many IMO. If you know your child is missing, you do not waste ONE SECOND in wondering what has happened. The child may have wandered off looking for you … NO MATTER … you do not waste time WONDERING, every second counts! The first few hours after a child goes missing is vital …. you can pinpoint it down to minutes …. YOU WASTE NO TIME! Every second that lapses after a child goes missing means that your percentage chance of finding that child diminishes!
Your opinion?
……………………………..
40 minutes with your child missing would seem like 4 hours and considering kate was immediately convinced maddie had been abducted…how strange
January 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
1310 Sledgehammer Says: January 9th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Peter O , I believe innocent until proven guilty perhaps you can add something destructive to that, or do you have a valid opinion.
++++++++++++++
We all have valid opinions, even you. Doesn’t mean our opinions are correct.
It is my opinion that the McCann’s, and possibly some of their “friends” know rather more about the events leading up to and following Madeleine’s disappearance than has currently come to light. I’m also of the opinion that Team McCann has conducted the most odious PR campaign including deliberate misinformation designed to prevent the PJ investigation making progress. The McCann’s and their friends may not have been charged yet but it does not necessarily follow that they are “innocent”, in my opinion.
And before you ask, no I will not indulge you in your standard time wasting response of asking me to provide links/evidence. Do your own research.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
#
1311
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
And your account Julie………..
1. When they discovered their child had been “abducted” - did they immediately phone the police for help? NO!
*************************************
My opinion - NO! The call to the police was made at 10H40 - a full 40 minutes after the child was discovered as missing - 40 minutes too many IMO. If you know your child is missing, you do not waste ONE SECOND in wondering what has happened. The child may have wandered off looking for you … NO MATTER … you do not waste time WONDERING, every second counts! The first few hours after a child goes missing is vital …. you can pinpoint it down to minutes …. YOU WASTE NO TIME! Every second that lapses after a child goes missing means that your percentage chance of finding that child diminishes!
Your opinion?
January 9th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
1295
Tony Bennett Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
1278 chenier re: CONTROL RISKS GROUP
chenier: “Well, I have already noted in discussion with Totje that I do not believe the claim that CRG were involved. The ’source’ who gave the story to the press was lying through his/her teeth about what CRG actually do. There may have been some involvement right at the beginning, but I doubt it lasted past the point when CRG told them the bad news. It’s just yet more spin to try and persuade people that the McCanns were really trying to find their daughter…”
REPLY: The ‘Daily Telegraph’s report on this story ran as follows:
QUOTE: “Kate and Gerry McCann have hired a firm of private investigators to help them track their missing daughter, Madeleine, it has emerged. The couple have sought help from Control Risks Group, a detective-style agency which employs ex-SAS members and former military personnel. [Picture: Control Risks Group are helping the McCann’s search].
Describing itself as an independent specialist risk consultancy, it gives advice on kidnap and hostage situations, crisis management, information security and screening. A source close to the McCanns’ legal team said CRG had been working with the family since May and were in regular contact”. ENDQUOTE
COMMENT: The source here is given as ‘a source close to the McCanns’ legal team’ - which makes it almost certain that it was (a) one of the lawyers assisting the McCanns in September and (b) authorised by Gerry McCann.
The report is either true or false. It has never since been denied by the McCanns or one of their spokesmen - who have had ample opportunity to do so.
If true, the Fund should declare to its donating public how much has been spent on Control Risks Groand what for.
If false, I would not be surprised. But then the likes of Garth and Sledgehammer would justify any Team McCann lie or half-truth.
But maybe it will remain a *secret* whether they’ve paid Control Risks Group or not.
And if so, it would join a very long list of McCann secrets
————————————————————-
TB, you do seem to be overlooking the most obvious point.
The McCanns have no desire whatsoever to deny the story; it provides much needed ’substance’ to their claim to be pulling out all the stops in their ’search’ for their daughter.
The article cited by Totje and the one cited by you are clearly aimed at persuading the public that they have ex SAS men combing the world in search of Madeleine.
As I noted in a quotation from CRG’s own website,
‘Our consultants never intervene. They act exclusively as advisors, analysing the situation and guiding clients in handling communications with all those involved and explaining the likely sequence of events.’
In short they don’t do the sort of things claimed by the ’source’, and they refuse to comment on whether anyone is, or is not, a client.
All in all an ideal situation for people who want to convey the impression that there are people beavering away searching for a child.
Quite why you should believe that the McCanns would deny a piece of spin like this is beyond me…
January 9th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
1311
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
And your account Julie………..
1. When they discovered their child had been “abducted” - did they immediately phone the police for help? NO!
…………………………………….
and your point is …………..garthy ??????????
January 9th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Dangerous ground - even rafters have ears
January 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
1309
Sledgehammer Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
……………………
i see you’re still here…cant you take a hint ???
January 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
1306 Melanie Says: January 9th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
wonder if the meeting of the clan and the fund dictators has been bugged? Anyone know where the meeting is being held Edit….
++++++++++++++++
I think others have suggested it’s at the McCann’s house?
January 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
And your account Julie………..
1. When they discovered their child had been “abducted” - did they immediately phone the police for help? NO!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Peter O , I believe innocent until proven guilty perhaps you can add something destructive to that, or do you have a valid opinion.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
TB… thanks for that. All good publicity!!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
1303
Julie Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
1298
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
****************************
I presume you pushed “submit comment” before you wanted to!?
My question to you is : Why do you not want to debate - point for point - the 9 questions that I put down (with my own answers) ? I am quite willing to debate them with you, politely, reasonably and logically!
…………………………….
now that would be interesting…let me see , politely, reasonably, logically and Garthy ha ha ha ha ha
January 9th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
wonder if the meeting of the clan and the fund dictators has been bugged? Anyone know where the meeting is being held - bet its not the same hotel as the last one - that would be leaving themselves wide open to sneaky folk wanting to make a qick buck. Even the Palace of Rothley wouldnt be beyond having to odd bit of equipment draped through the letterbox - NO stop Melanie, your imagination is running wild
January 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
1299 Garth
Come on Garth, man to man, are you Gerry? A simple “yes” or “no” would be good, please no “no comment”.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
1299
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
……….mean!
…………………………………..
we all know what you mean garthy….but that doesnt detract from the FACT that your talking bllocks garthy
January 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
1298
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
****************************
I presume you pushed “submit comment” before you wanted to!?
My question to you is : Why do you not want to debate - point for point - the 9 questions that I put down (with my own answers) ? I am quite willing to debate them with you, politely, reasonably and logically!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
This forum is really not worth reading at the moment. Sorry, folks, it’s just getting to be a waste of time.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
1296 Sledgehammer Says: January 9th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
The last picture is being Pythagorised by Stevo, expect all sorts of wonderous theories shortly, what we do know is that it isn’t Baby Grace, its not a ship, and its not a fake.
+++++++++++++++++
You forgot to add that you’ll have nothing constructive to add to that particular discussion. No change there then.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
1292
Sledgehammer Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
………………..
hey sludgy why dont you go and smack yourself in the face
January 9th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
……….mean!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
1293
Julie Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Oh and BTW Garthy/Garth/GARY,
Don’t be rude to someone who’s never been rude to you!!! RULE NO. 1!!!
—————————————-
Trust me
“Was I there? - NO, but I have experience in these sort of cases”!
My point is Julie, you know no more than me. So, irrespective of how much experience you have, it doenst make you correct in your accertions, although you come across as knowing for sure. This may be petty I know, but there is a point. Im sure you know what I
January 9th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
1292
Sledgehammer Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
…………………………..
i think you on the wrong forum sludgy….
January 9th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
The last picture is being Pythagorised by Stevo, expect all sorts of wonderous theories shortly, what we do know is that it isn’t Baby Grace, its not a ship, and its not a fake.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
1278 chenier re: CONTROL RISKS GROUP
chenier: “Well, I have already noted in discussion with Totje that I do not believe the claim that CRG were involved. The ’source’ who gave the story to the press was lying through his/her teeth about what CRG actually do. There may have been some involvement right at the beginning, but I doubt it lasted past the point when CRG told them the bad news. It’s just yet more spin to try and persuade people that the McCanns were really trying to find their daughter…”
REPLY: The ‘Daily Telegraph’s report on this story ran as follows:
QUOTE: “Kate and Gerry McCann have hired a firm of private investigators to help them track their missing daughter, Madeleine, it has emerged. The couple have sought help from Control Risks Group, a detective-style agency which employs ex-SAS members and former military personnel. [Picture: Control Risks Group are helping the McCann's search].
Describing itself as an independent specialist risk consultancy, it gives advice on kidnap and hostage situations, crisis management, information security and screening. A source close to the McCanns’ legal team said CRG had been working with the family since May and were in regular contact”. ENDQUOTE
COMMENT: The source here is given as ‘a source close to the McCanns’ legal team’ - which makes it almost certain that it was (a) one of the lawyers assisting the McCanns in September and (b) authorised by Gerry McCann.
The report is either true or false. It has never since been denied by the McCanns or one of their spokesmen - who have had ample opportunity to do so.
If true, the Fund should declare to its donating public how much has been spent on Control Risks Groand what for.
If false, I would not be surprised. But then the likes of Garth and Sledgehammer would justify any Team McCann lie or half-truth.
But maybe it will remain a *secret* whether they’ve paid Control Risks Group or not.
And if so, it would join a very long list of McCann secrets
January 9th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Been reading this site since very early days but never previously posted. There are a couple of points of view that I would like to raise in relation to: (i) the press coverage - as this is a media site; and (ii) the relationship between the McCanns and the Portuguese police/judicial system.
A lot of contributions on here have said that the reason for the pro-McCann press in UK may relate to some kind of conspiracy/cover-up. My thought is that it is simply because the journos in Britain lack any foreign language skills. They are therefore unable to pick up the juicy bits of tittle tattle they normally use because they can’t speak Portuguese - however luckily for them Team McCann speak English so that get all their info from them. There may also be an element of not wanting to cause hurt/upset to a couple whose child has seemingly been abducted but I certainly don’t believe the gutter press writers in the UK have any finer feelings.
On the question of answering police questions, I think that any lawyer would advise their client, in a situation where they are suspected of committing a crime, not to answer police questions - this was I believe called “the right to silence” and has been totally undermined in English law. I think it is supposed to prevent the police compelling people to make statements/answer questions that may incriminate them. It is a right for all - innocent and guilty. I don’t know anything about the Portuguese legal system - and very little about the English one! - but the adversarial nature of the system in England expects the police/prosecution to prove their case.
For what’s its worth on day one when this story first broke I was highly sceptical of the McCanns story about the abduction - my words were “Did anyone see her that day”. However, it was reported there were witnesses who saw Madeline on the afternoon/evening before she disappeared. Then there was the photograph that was apparently taken that day so I thought they must be telling the truth - now having seen Steve’s work on the “last photo” and read comments about the photo on other sites, and the timings (I think worked out by Ian - sorry if I’m wrong on who) I think there are serious questions about the McCanns story - why would anyone want to alter the photo?
I’ve tried not to get involved in imaginative and inventive speculation - but everyone on Anorak carry on with it - it is highly entertaining for those of us sitting quietly by and sometimes quite informative.
January 9th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
1289
Garth Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
…………………..
now now garthy im not going anywhere ….sorry my little feathered fuck
sorry i meant feathered firkin 
January 9th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Oh and BTW Garthy/Garth/GARY,
Don’t be rude to someone who’s never been rude to you!!! RULE NO. 1!!!