Midland man's book to be adapted into feature film

NEWS RELEASE
PETER JENNINGS
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Midland resident Peter Jennings, published author of seven books so far, has signed an option agreement with Vancouver-based production company Ruckus Machine Pictures Inc.

The agreement is for a feature film adaptation of Jennings’s book, Until I Smile At You (untilismileatyou.com), which showcases the life of Ruth Lowe, the young Canadian girl who wrote the song that dynamited Frank Sinatra’s singing career into the stratosphere, I’ll Never Smile Again. The tune became an international hit and Ruth would go on to write Sinatra’s theme song (Put Your Dreams Away), plus nearly 50 other numbers for Broadway and Hollywood.

“MGM had wanted to make a film about Ruth’s life back in the 1940s,” says Jennings. “Judy Garland was being touted to play the lead. But the film never happened because Ruth’s new husband wanted her to put her ‘glamorous past’ behind her and focus on her family. So he nixed the idea. But now, the time has come.”

Jennings began research for the book back in 2015.

“Tom Sandler, Ruth’s son, worked with me on Until I Smile At You,” he says. “We‘d talk about what a great film his mom’s story would make. I’ve been searching for the right filmmaker since then to bring the tale to the screen. I am truly thrilled now to find Jamila Pomeroy, founder of Ruckus Machine Pictures. Her enthusiasm for the project is huge and Tom and I are delighted to have her on board.”

“What an illuminating story this is,” says Vancouver-based Pomeroy. “I’m captivated by Ruth’s entire life and elated for my production company to help make this movie happen. I also have a soft spot for Sinatra, and love the fact that this is a female-led story — it feels very timely.”

As a screenwriter, director and producer, Pomeroy has worked on meaningful narratives for major television networks. She currently has two series and a feature film in development, with a scripted series already before the cameras, and another feature film currently in post-production.

“Jamila and I share the fact that our stories exist to motivate and inspire people to enhance their lives,” says Jennings. “I find that by offering profiles of intriguing individuals like Ruth Lowe, people gain an opportunity to learn, and be inspired, and then they can grow their own lives to new levels. I’m excited that the film is going to take this to the next level.”

Until I Smile At You can be purchased locally at Georgian Bay Books (247 King St. in Midland) and through Amazon, Chapters Indigo, Barnes and Noble, etc. Autographed copies are available through the website untilismileatyou.com.

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