'Deep Throat' Sells Story

NY Times ^ | 6/16/05 | EDWARD WYATT

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Universal Pictures and PublicAffairs have agreed to pay close to $1 million to buy the film and book rights to the life story of W. Mark Felt, people involved in the deal said yesterday.

Mr. Felt is the former F.B.I. official who recently said he was Deep Throat, the secret source for Bob Woodward, the Washington Post reporter, during the Watergate investigation.

The potential sale has been the subject of intense speculation in the publishing industry and in Hollywood since Mr. Felt's identity was revealed last month in an article in Vanity Fair magazine.

The contracts, which are expected to be announced today, include an option to produce a feature film and the rights to a biography based on previously unpublished material written by Mr. Felt after his retirement from the F.B.I.

Peter Osnos, the publisher and chief executive of PublicAffairs, an independent publishing company, said yesterday that the book would be published next spring and would combine Mr. Felt's recollections about his life and his relationship with Mr. Woodward with material written by John O'Connor, the lawyer who wrote the Vanity Fair article. Mr. Osnos declined to comment on the amount to be paid for the book rights.

An option to produce a film based on the material and Mr. Felt's memoir of his life in the F.B.I. was bought by Universal for development by Playtone, the production company owned by the actor Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, according to two people involved in the deal, who asked not to be named. A representative of Universal Pictures did not return phone calls last night...

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Heroes.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Yea, right. It has already been proven that Mark Felt could not have the the lone "Deep Throat" because some of the information leaked to Woodward and Bernstien was 8 months AFTER he left and no longer had access to the information leaked.

[Tacis]

A commie rat snitch like these turncoat shouldn't be allowed to profit by his treachery!

How do we know what OTHER secrets he gave/sold to others, including Russia and Viet Nam and East Germany, just because he was passed over for the top job.

The lefties love to take shots at commie hating J. Edgar but embrace his #2 because that informer ratted out a more hated target, Nixon.

Do we know if this rat bastard leaked info about McCarthy? Has anyone reviewed this guy's office records to see how many other times he violated his oaths? We know he was charged and pardoned for illegal break-ins, we know he ratted out his boss. Does any one really believe he wasn't guilty of other crimes?

Felt is one rat bastard who goes on my "Rot In Hell" list!!!

[Dr. Scarpetta]

the book would be published next spring and would combine Mr. Felt's recollections about his life and his relationship with Mr. Woodward with material written by John O'Connor

The problem might be Mr. Felt's fuzzy RECOLLECTIONS.

[b4its2late]

[Cicero]

Peter Osnos, the publisher and chief executive of PublicAffairs, an independent publishing company, said yesterday that the book would be published next spring . . . . An option to produce a film based on the material and Mr. Felt's memoir of his life in the F.B.I. was bought by Universal for development by Playtone, the production company owned by the actor Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman

It doesn't exactly sound like the big time to me. Hillary got eight times this much just for her book, from an established publishing house. I'd say the big players decided to give this one a pass.

[GladesGuru]

"Heros"

Perhaps. Perhaps "felon" would be more accurate.

If it turns out to be true that Fell lied to Federal officers during the FBI investigation, then a conviction on a number of offenses should be an easy thing to accomplish. After conviction, any benefits from his crime are subject to confiscation.

[jocon307]

I'm sure his creepy daughter will be very happy now. Dad should start that round the world cruise and spend every dime before he kicks the bucket.

[machman]

I'm sure being a true "Hero" and great American, only looking out for his fellow man, Mr. Felt will donate all proceeds to help the homeless, help feed hungry children, etc.

[montag813]

I THOUGHT THOMAS FRIEDMAN SAID "IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY"...RETRACTION, TOM?

[NHAntiMassRedRebel]

I would produce a slick version of it with Linda Lovelace as Pat Nixon and Ron Jeremy as Deep Throat himself.

Ron Jeremy, G-Man.

[The_Media_never_lie]

This is just plain wrong. He leaked stolen information. He stole the information on Nixon, it was not his to do with as he pleased. He was custodian of information gleaned from a govt. investigation.

Why should his family enrich themselves now? Surely there is some legal problem here.

[13Sisters76]

I was long a member of that group who no longer believed W&B- an easy thing to do since we know how the "pop" media turns a blind eye to those who fabricate to make their reputations, win Pulitzers, etc. I just figured that they had lied and why not? Two unknowns willing to do anything to bring down Nixon AND make reps for themselves...? And as this number of non-believers grew and became more vocal...VOILA! Out of the woodwork comes this senile old goat, who's FAMILY claims he is "Deep Throat". Not a surprise, they also have their grubby little hands out , sniffing around for money.
Well gee...ain't I just shocked!...<...is not shocked....
What DOES surprise me is that not one outlet..even Fox..has requested some kind of PROOF.
I will tell you this: I will not believe that this is anything more than the efforts of two lying "reporters" to cover their butts and a greedy family trolling for bucks.
Buy his book? Never.