Conference noted::sf

    You're probably right about it's never seeing the light of day (or
    dark of the the theater), but wouldn't it be great if it did?  Not
    only is it an SF classic, it has several interesting an appealing
    characters.  I mean, of course, the robots.  Powell and Donovan
    are nothing much in the way of characters.  Susan Calvin, of course,
    is quite good.
    
    I wonder what they would do for special effects?  You'd want occasional
    outer-space backdrops and futuristic cities, but the main things
    would be futuristic interiors and the robots.  I've never seen a
    knight-in-armor-style robot costume that looked convincing, with
    the possible exception of C-3P0, so I'd hope they'd do something
    more elegant, like actors in, say, uniforms or wet-suit coveralls
    with metal or plastic masks.  Best of all would be an assortment
    of R2-D2ish critters.
    
    Earl Wajenberg

    Is this the version of the script that starts out at Susan Calvin's
    funeral?
    
    Back in, oh, '77 or '78, I was at a very small con and was able to
    watch Ellison writing the script (literally over his shoulder). I
    even have a numbered copy of the first 30 pages of it. It's packed away
    now, but as I remember, it's *good*. Even then, he didn't have much
    hope of it being made into a movie, but, well, he *was* getting paid
    for it ;-) and so was doing his usually good job. 
    
    Tamzen

    Yes. And yes, it's *good.*
                              
    Fred

    The newest SCRIPT CITY catalog Ive received has an I,Robot script
    advertized. It is marked as unreleased 1985.  Ive ordered a copy
    and let you know what it's like when I get it.  SCRIPT CITY advertizes
    in most issues of STARLOG.
    
    Rich
    

    It'll be interesting to find whether this is Ellison's script or
    done by someone else. If it *is* Ellison's, it may also be
    being sold without his or the studio's permission. In any case,
    the script is also available in Asimov's, as I said, and that one
    is with Ellison's permission.
    
    This isn't a shot at SCRIPT CITY, since I know nothing about them,
    nor for that matter of any of the other businesses that sell scripts.
    But I have heard from various people - including authors - that there
    is a black market for illegally-obtained scripts, and that the practice
    should be frowned upon by the consumer. It is after all, either
    the author's or studio's property. So, caveat emptor, and all
    that ... Again, that isn't meant to be a reflection upon SCRIPT
    CITY. The fact that they do advertise in STARLOG probably means
    that they're okay, as STARLOG is pretty good about keeping ripoff
    artists and the like from advertising in the magazine.
    
    Fred

    Just received my script from SCRIPT CITY.  To answer your question
    Fred it is the Harlan Ellison version dated July 27,1978.  I've
    compared it to the first section in the November issue of IAsf and
    they match.  To answer the earlier concern about boot-leg scripts,
    I've had three dealings with SCRIPT CITY in the last two years and
    they seem to be on the level.  The scripts are Xeroxed, but I'm willing
    to bet they are legal since they've been in buisiness at least since
    1985.  I haven't had a chance to read through yet, but it is thicker
    than most scripts; indicating that this could have been a long movie,
    if filmed as is.  (disclaimer: I am not associated with SCRIPT CITY
    in any way other than being a customer)
    
    One interesting point I'd like to make about scripts here.  Scripts
    frequently give a different perspective of a movie, since they are
    written with all the scenes included.  It's also interesting to 
    see how a movie evolves from script to screen.  For instance if 
    any of you have seen the script of _Raider of the Lost Ark_ you
    would notice that the scrips ending is quite different from the 
    movie and also includes elements that were placd in the second 
    movie _Temple of Doom_.  At any rate it will be interesting to see
    if the script matches the version released to IAsf.
    
    Rich
     
     

    
    
    
    	I thought I read that "I Robot" the Movie was cancelled? 
    	True? False?
    
    	and if so... Maybe it should have been a TV series.
    	All those short stories could have made a season.
    
    	

    RE: .7
    
    Maybe you should go back and re-read my original note .0. What we're
    talking about is Harlan Ellison's *unproduced* movie script for 
    "I, Robot." It was never "cancelled," since it never got to the
    production stage. And at present, there's no plans to produce it.
    
    I doubt it would have made an acceptable TV series, given the way
    television usually treats science fiction.
    
    Fred

    re .8:
    
    > Maybe you should go back and re-read my original note .0. What we're
    > talking about is Harlan Ellison's *unproduced* movie script for 
    > "I, Robot."
      
    Maybe you should then title this note appropriately in order to
    avoid further confusion. Maybe: "Harlan Ellison's Screenplay of
    _I_Robot_
                                                   
                  /
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                  ) ///
                 /      
    
    P.S.  MOD NOTE/TITLE="string"

    RE .9:
    
    Maybe I should, but I'm not. I think re-titling can be carried to
    ridiculous extremes. You're of course free to solicit the moderators
    to change it if you disagree.
    
    Fred

    I recall at the 1978 World SF conventions in Pheonix (aka IGUANACON),
    where Ellison read a bunch from the script, he also entreated the
    audience (over 1000 people) to write Mr. Frank Wells of Warner Brothers
    and suggest that the movie be made and that it be done the way it
    was written (rather Machiavellian, I'd say).
    
    A couple years later, Ellison was asked on a panel at Westercon
    in Portland, what happened.  He said that his idea to appeal to
    fans was one of the worst things he could have done (besides accusing
    Wells of having the intelligence of an artichoke).  It seems fans
    _did_ write and make these "suggestions" in typical faanish zeal.
    Phrase like "Do it or we'll trash your life", "Hey garbage pail,
    you should do this movie or we'll get Darth Vader to convince you..."
    did not convince Wells any further that the project was viable.
    
    Wells doesn't work for Warner Brothers any more.  I don't know who
    owns the rights to that script, weither it's still WB property or
    comes back to Harlan.  It would still be very expensive to produce
    but based on what Harlan read, it would be worth it!
    
    Please post the address of this place so I can try and get a copy
    of the script.
    
    /MeV/

>    Please post the address of this place so I can try and get a copy
>    of the script.

    Look around for the November issue of IASFM, or read .0
    
    Willie