Discussion Question Rare Unpublished Bramwell Fletcher Manuscript – Rights Available

[JAL]

I am the managing representative and 50% rights-holder for the literary estate of Bramwell Fletcher. I hold full legal and administrative control over a previously unreleased, historical memior/ manuscript Titled: "The Thistleball" Story of an Actor's Life, By Bramwell Fletcher with the typewritten provenance established by Lael Wertenbaker ). Per the initial representation contract signed by the Fletcher heirs, I am the sole point of contact for this estate, regarding the manuscript. The heirs may only be contacted with my express, written permission, and all final publishing and or production and contractual decisions go strictly through me.

 

[JAL]

Ok, Im the author of this post and I was obligated to get that legal stuff out of the way, I'm super open to talk to all! I'm excited about this project, I've worked extremely hard to get this point, and I feel a little weight lifted. Hope to talk to anyone and all soon!
Jim

 

[George]

Ok, Im the author of this post and I was obligated to get that legal stuff out of the way, I'm super open to talk to all! I'm excited about this project, I've worked extremely hard to get this point, and I feel a little weight lifted. Hope to talk to anyone and all soon!
Jim

Hello Jan,

This honestly sounds like a very interesting project, especially since it’s rare to see completely unreleased historical film or theatre material surface with this kind of background.

I’m curious whether you’re mainly considering a documentary, scripted feature, or perhaps even a limited series adaptation? Personal memoir material like this can sometimes translate surprisingly well onscreen, especially if it contains industry or behind-the-scenes stories from that era.

Would you say the manuscript is more of a personal life story, or does it also dive deeper into the film and theatre world of the time?

 

[JAL]

Well it's starts in 1918, Bramwell as young boy of 14, going to his first job interview at an office, mother by his side, then it dives deeper into his professional and personal life. Its told in his actor's voice, written by him, its captivating.

 

[JAL]

Another thing to add, I have some interesting accounts regarding "Lael Wertenbaker" Bramwell's wife and extraordinary Author in her own right. She in fact type-wrote this manuscript for Bramwell.

Ok, Im the author of this post and I was obligated to get that legal stuff out of the way, I'm super open to talk to all! I'm excited about this project, I've worked extremely hard to get this point, and I feel a little weight lifted. Hope to talk to anyone and all soon!
Jim

 

[JAL]

Hello Jan,

This honestly sounds like a very interesting project, especially since it’s rare to see completely unreleased historical film or theatre material surface with this kind of background.

I’m curious whether you’re mainly considering a documentary, scripted feature, or perhaps even a limited series adaptation? Personal memoir material like this can sometimes translate surprisingly well onscreen, especially if it contains industry or behind-the-scenes stories from that era.

Would you say the manuscript is more of a personal life story, or does it also dive deeper into the film and theatre world of the time?

Hi George,
To answer one of you other questions, I'm open to various considered adaptations. Another tid-bit for whomever else reads this...I've give "no one" a first look yet. I also have 3 sample chapters, compiled and ready to go.
Thanks
Jim

 

[George]

Hi George,
To answer one of you other questions, I'm open to various considered adaptations. Another tid-bit for whomever else reads this...I've give "no one" a first look yet. I also have 3 sample chapters, compiled and ready to go.
Thanks
Jim

The more details you share, the more this starts sounding less like a forgotten memoir and more like a genuine period piece with real adaptation potential.

I could honestly see this working either as a documentary project or as a dramatic biographical adaptation, depending on how deeply the manuscript explores Bramwell’s personal and professional life.

Have you started leaning more toward one direction yet?

 

[JAL]

Hi George,
I agree with you, and no, I haven't committed to any direction but would be open to any possibilitys. I'm also hoping someone picks up on our conversations.
Thanks
Jim

 

[Max]

At the same time, even much bigger projects are becoming very difficult to finance in 2026, especially period and drama-driven productions, so the market is definitely challenging right now.

But I genuinely wish you good luck with it, because unique archival material with authentic historical perspective is becoming increasingly rare today.

 

[JAL]

Thanks Max, when someone finally gets a "first look" at this, they will realize what I have, its a Historic piece of literary work, written by Bramwell and typewritten by his wife Lael. its voluminous, captivating, juicy scandles, drama and gossip, all through the WW2 etc. You can't put in down.
Thanks
Jim

 

[JAL]

I am the managing representative and 50% rights-holder for the literary estate of Bramwell Fletcher. I hold full legal and administrative control over a previously unreleased, historical memior/ manuscript Titled: "The Thistleball" Story of an Actor's Life, By Bramwell Fletcher with the typewritten provenance established by Lael Wertenbaker ). Per the initial representation contract signed by the Fletcher heirs, I am the sole point of contact for this estate, regarding the manuscript. The heirs may only be contacted with my express, written permission, and all final publishing and or production and contractual decisions go strictly through me.

So periodically I'm going to add some context, and sometimes I might reveal a tidbit from a page of the Manuscript.
I wanted to give you "my motivation" for dusting off this 50+ years old, historical piece of film and literary work.
I wanted to finish what my Dad, JD Lincoln and Bramwell Fletcher started so long ago, My Dad was Bramwell's friend, and former rep and steward for this manuscript.
They didn't fail in getting this published, they just passed the torch to me and the Fletcher Heirs.

 

[Samantha]

Thanks for sharing that, Jim.It's interesting to hear how the manuscript has been passed down and preserved over the years. Best of luck with the project, and I look forward to reading any future excerpts or stories you decide to post.

 

[JAL]

Thank you Samantha,
I look forward to sharing more, as this evolves, appreciate it!
Jim

 

[JAL]

I am the managing representative and 50% rights-holder for the literary estate of Bramwell Fletcher. I hold full legal and administrative control over a previously unreleased, historical memior/ manuscript Titled: "The Thistleball" Story of an Actor's Life, By Bramwell Fletcher with the typewritten provenance established by Lael Wertenbaker ). Per the initial representation contract signed by the Fletcher heirs, I am the sole point of contact for this estate, regarding the manuscript. The heirs may only be contacted with my express, written permission, and all final publishing and or production and contractual decisions go strictly through me.

Here's is the first page of the "The Thistleball" "Story Of An Actor's Life", Bramwell Fletcher. The manuscript is 5 chapters, with several parts in each chapter. Its Voluminous. I look forward to sharing more!
Thanks,
Jim

 

[JAL]

 

[JAL]

There you go!

 

[JAL]

Hi again Samantha,
Since your the last person to reach out, I decided to share the very "First Page "Ever" publicly, of this manuscript with you first. I also mistakenly posted another thread under "insights" today, about how Lael, and Bramwell worked. ( I'm still learning, I think I messed up the position, of my original thread. ) Anyway here's the first page, oh boy!....please feel free to share this with this your associates, friends and or peers!
..
Thanks!
By Best!
Jim

FYI, I released 4 more pages!
Thanks
Jim

 

[Lucas]

I am the managing representative and 50% rights-holder for the literary estate of Bramwell Fletcher. I hold full legal and administrative control over a previously unreleased, historical memior/ manuscript Titled: "The Thistleball" Story of an Actor's Life, By Bramwell Fletcher with the typewritten provenance established by Lael Wertenbaker ). Per the initial representation contract signed by the Fletcher heirs, I am the sole point of contact for this estate, regarding the manuscript. The heirs may only be contacted with my express, written permission, and all final publishing and or production and contractual decisions go strictly through me.

I've just read the sample pages, and one thing immediately stood out to me.

It doesn't read like a traditional memoir. It feels much more like scenes from a film.

I like the dialogue and the visual style, but projects like this usually take time. Finding the right producer, investor or studio rarely happens overnight.

Have you always imagined this as a feature film, or do you think it could work even better as a limited series?

 

[JAL]

I've just read the sample pages, and one thing immediately stood out to me.

It doesn't read like a traditional memoir. It feels much more like scenes from a film.

I like the dialogue and the visual style, but projects like this usually take time. Finding the right producer, investor or studio rarely happens overnight.

Have you always imagined this as a feature film, or do you think it could work even better as a limited series?

Hi Lucas,
Thanks for reaching out, I really appreciate it. You know, the more this evolves, I've been leaning towards that same direction, it 90,000 words, 5 chapters, and many parts in each chapter. So it really doesn't feel like it could be a series of some sort. Here's a little inside info on how Bramwell and Lael worked, he dictated into a recorder, in his actors voice, telling his whole lifes story as he's acting and then Lael would typewrite from that recording.

 

[JAL]

Hi Lucas,
Thanks for reaching out, I really appreciate it. You know, the more this evolves, I've been leaning towards that same direction, it 90,000 words, 5 chapters, and many parts in each chapter. So it really does feel like it could be a series of some sort. Here's a little inside info on how Bramwell and Lael worked, he dictated into a recorder, in his actors voice, telling his whole lifes story as he's acting and then Lael would typewrite from that recording.

Does feel! Typo!