The Charm School (novel)

The novel's hero is U.S Air Force Colonel Sam Hollis, a former F-4 Phantom Fighter pilot^[4] who fought in Vietnam. Hollis was shot down during the war^[5] and was disqualified from flying. Later on he was transferred to US Air Force Intelligence and served as an intelligence officer and air attaché at the American embassy in Moscow. A young American MBA graduate driving in the Russian countryside encounters another American, claiming to have escaped a secret Russian POW camp—leaving numerous others behind who are still captive and being used to "Americanize" Soviet spies. When the information reaches Hollis, he begins to investigate and discovers a secret^[which?] so dangerous that it might cost him his life.

The films rights were first optioned in 1992 by producer Robert Kline.^[6]

In March 2003, Variety reported that Crusader Entertainment had optioned the book, with Kevin Bernhardt penning the script, and Howard Baldwin producing.^[7]

In March 2005, it was reported that Frank Marshall had signed on as producer.^[8][9]

In August 2009, DeMille reported that Ericson Core was hired as director, and the screenplay was to be penned by Frank Pearson.^[10]