The screenplay for “THE YELLOW JERSEY”, based on the acclaimed novel by Ralph Hurne, was written by Carl Foreman, arguably the greatest screenwriter in the history of motion pictures.

Carl Foreman won the Academy Award for his screenplay for "THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI".  He was also nominated five times for "HIGH NOON", "THE GUNS OF NAVARONE", "BORN FREE", "CHAMPION" and "HOME OF THE BRAVE". "THE YELLOW JERSEY" was the last script he wrote before he died, and the one he was most  passionate about.

Set against the spectacle of the Tour de France, “THE YELLOW JERSEY” incorporates the raw emotion and explosive action of "ROCKY", the intelligence and depth of "CHARIOTS OF FIRE" and the visual scope and panorama of "LAWRENCE OF ARABIA."

It’s truly an event film, which will reach out, embrace, inspire and touch the hearts and minds of audiences around the world, something the world really needs now. The story has great integrity and humanity. In light of Lance Armstrong’s incredible, heroic performance in winning the Tour de France a record “7” times, as well as recent world events, the timing for a life affirming film like “THE YELLOW JERSEY”, which will ennoble its audience rather than exploit it, couldn’t be more ideal or perfect.

We have also worked closely with the Tour de France organization and they would cooperate fully in every way. Needless to say, the marketing, licensing, and promotional opportunities are virtually limitless, and would alleviate considerable production costs.

I am convinced that the "THE YELLOW JERSEY” has unlimited potential both critically and commercially and can be an Academy Award winning film.

TRAILER
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GARY MEHLMAN (bio)

Gary Mehlman (Producer) is a graduate of Syracuse University and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the New England School of Law. He than spent 2 years in France studying International Law at the University of Paris.  For more than 30 years, Gary has been actively involved with the development, production, marketing, and distribution of motion pictures, both with major studios, as well as independent production companies.

After successfully completing his first film, which starred Richard Pryor and Zalman King, Gary went on to coordinate the rapidly growing film and television activities of Brut Productions, a subsidiary of Faberge. When the company moved its offices from New York to Los Angeles, he became responsible for the company’s creative and business affairs.  During Gary’s tenure, Brut successfully produced several major films, most notably A TOUCH OF CLASS, which starred George Segal and Glenda Jackson, and NIGHT WATCH, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Laurence Harvey.

As a highly sought after creative talent, Gary was offered an in-house production deal at Columbia Pictures.  While at Columbia, he developed numerous film projects on which he collaborated with several A-list writers and directors.

 Accepting an offer to move his production company from Columbia to Universal, Gary developed several film properties for Universal. He collaborated with Academy Award Winners, Stirling Silliphant and the legendary writer/ director/ producer Carl Foreman (HIGH NOON, GUNS OF NAVARONE, BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, BORN FREE), who ultimately became his partner on a number of film projects.

Leaving Universal, Gary went on to be the head of Anthony Quinn’s production company, QUI, Inc., where he developed, packaged, and produced three modestly budgeted, yet high quality motion pictures, MYSTIQUE, A TEXAS LEGEND, and MALIBU BIKINI SHOP. 

Gary returned to Columbia Pictures to develop and produce THE YELLOW JERSEY, slated to star Dustin Hoffman, and directed by Michael Cimino. In 1986, Gary spent two months in France filming the world famous cycling race, THE TOUR DE FRANCE, in preparation for the film.

Always in pursuit of viable character driven franchise product, Gary founded and became President of Longstocking Industries, an entertainment company specializing in family entertainment.  One of his most successful projects was the Columbia film,

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF PIPPI LONGSTOCKING, which has been hailed as a  family classic. Gary continued his association with Columbia Pictures, producing the critically acclaimed dark thriller MEN OF RESPECT, starring John Turturro, Stanley Tucci, Dennis Farina, Rod Steiger and Peter Boyle.

He moved on to become VP of Production for Viacom Pictures, where he oversaw the management and control of Viacom’s entire production slate of 6-8 films per year.  After leaving Viacom, he produced the financially successful EYES OF THE BEHOLDER, which starred Joanna Pacula, for Mark Damon’s Vision International.

From 1994-1998, Gary was based at Sony Studios, where he had a first-look production deal with Columbia Pictures.  Among the films he developed while at Sony is OUTRAGED, which was written by Douglas Day Stewart, whose screenplay for OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN received an Oscar nomination.

Gary is also partnered in Imageries Entertainment on a number of genre films (including a contemporary version of JECKYL & HYDE,  FRANKENSTEIN and a remake of the cult classic TROLL with writer/ director, John Carl Buechler, who has his own effects company, MMI Inc.(Magical Media Industries) .

In 2003, Gary was an Executive Producer on the $25M fantasy film, MEE-SHEE-THE WATER GIANT, starring Bruce Greenwood and directed by John Henderson.  The film was shot in New Zealand, The Jim Henson Creature Shop, created the state of the art special effects.

In 2006, Gary produced CAPTIVITY, a psychological suspense thriller written by Larry Cohen (PHONE BOOTH, CELLULAR) and directed by the two-time Academy Award nominee, Roland Joffe (KILLING FIELDS, THE MISSION), which starred Elisha Cuthbert. The $17M Russian- American co-production was filmed in Moscow and New York, and was distributed by Lions Gate in July 2007.

As Executive Producer, Gary recently completed filming the  THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE, staring Ving Rhames, Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips and directed by Blaire Underwood, which is currently in release.

Gary is in the process of casting, THE AU PAIR, a  thriller in the mode of THE STRANGERS, which was written and will be directed by Eric Chambers, and BLACK ICE, written by Nick Santora,  to be directed by Bobby Roth

He is now in preparing HEMINGWAY: THE END OF SOMETHING which was written and will be directed by Curt Faudon. Gary will produce along with Curt and Heyward Collins. The start date for this $50 million epic is September 1, 2010.

In recognition of his achievements, Gary was elected into the Motion Picture Academy Arts and Sciences, and has been an active member in the Producers Branch since 1984.