An Unexpected Coddiwomple
Niagara Falls, New York | Film Short
Drama, Family
This project gives a voice to the 16 million people who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII but whose memories of the war were kept hidden from future generations. The discovery of 522 letters documenting the service of an "everyman" GI reshapes our understanding of war and its survivors.
An Unexpected Coddiwomple
Niagara Falls, New York | Film Short
Drama, Family
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
56 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$10,205
Goal: $12,500 for production
This project gives a voice to the 16 million people who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII but whose memories of the war were kept hidden from future generations. The discovery of 522 letters documenting the service of an "everyman" GI reshapes our understanding of war and its survivors.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the midst of WWII, a young man from Niagara Falls prioritized two things: staying alive and keeping his loved ones updated through daily letters. By the day Private Frank Thompson was discharged from the Army Air Corps, he’d sent over 500 pieces of correspondence. Then, 18 years later, his sudden death at the age of 44 left his extensive documentation of wartime service largely forgotten. He also left behind a pregnant wife and six children, including a four-year-old daughter who turned his letters into a book when she grew up. Now, with the rapid loss of WWII veterans daily, she and the rest of our filmmaking team have come together to tell the story of this B-17 radio operator whose letters created a mission for her to get acquainted with her late father’s life and continue to shape his legacy in a narrative film.
The untold stories of WWII veterans are disappearing at a high rate every day, due to the deaths of this population and the fact that many of them never told their wartime stories following their military service. The story of Frank Thompson was only preserved by the discovery of his letters decades after his death. When his daughter Loretto began her mission to learn about Frank’s Army Air Corps service, it led her to meeting the pilot of Frank’s B-17 Flying Fortress, Roger Sundin. This encounter opened the door to hearing stories from “Big Sundin” that he’d never shared with his own family. In fact, it was Big Sundin who convinced Loretto that her mission and her father’s letters were worthy of a book.
 (1).jpg)
Now, 61 years after Frank’s death, we are planning to shoot a short film version of the larger story, with a focus on the ditching that he, Lt. Sundin, and the B-17 crew survived in May 1945. Our location will be the expansive waters of Lake Ontario or Lake Erie to stand in for the North Sea and a Buffalo film studio for underwater closeups. Our second primary location will be the Thompson family home in Niagara Falls, now owned by Loretto’s brother and sister-in-law. Our third location will be a Western New York home to serve as the Maine home of Roger and Gloria Sundin, who became close with Loretto in their final years.
Our goal with this film is to bring Frank “back to life” symbolically and inspire audiences to examine what untold stories of service might exist in their families. With the goal of $12,500 reached, we can begin pre-production and set production dates for August 2026. Our full goal, outside of Seed & Spark, is $60,000. Any funds raised over our Seed & Spark goal will reduce the amount we need to raise from corporate and community relationships that our team has cultivated in Western New York and beyond. With production wrapped by September, we will be on track for a planned Veterans Day 2026 premiere, including a premiere on Kinema for funders of this campaign and an in-person private screening for military veterans, corporate donors, and members of various communities to which our team belongs. In addition, we plan to submit the finished work to select film festivals, especially ones with a track record of inclusion of military stories.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
World War II Replica Uniform Rentals
Costs $1,500
These are critical for representing the specific time period and branch of service and essential for credibility in military circles.
Veterans/Actors in Ditching
Costs $3,000
Real veterans add authentic behavior, discipline, and calm under pressure, perfect for a realistic 1940s B-17 ditching scene on water.
Lead Actor (Frank)
Costs $3,000
A recognizable star creates immediate emotional investment for audiences when there is no time to build depth with the character.
Lead Actor (Loretto)
Costs $3,000
A recognizable lead brings instant depth and empathy, so audiences quickly connect with a Niagara Falls woman driving the story.
Supporting Actor (Big Sundin)
Costs $2,000
A respected actor known for military roles brings instant credibility and gravitas to a 90-year-old veteran character, with minimal setup.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
An Unexpected Coddiwomple brings together author Loretto M. Thompson, screenwriter Marc Isaacs, and the production team at Western NY-based Pan-American Film Division to create a short film version of the true story of Loretto's journey to get to know her late father through his 522 letters written during World War II.
Get to Know Loretto M. Thompson
Our American Stories with Lee Habeeb audio interview with Loretto M. Thompson
Daytime Buffalo with Chelsea Lovell TV interview with Loretto Thompson and Marc Isaacs
On Target with Penny Wolfgang audio interview with Loretto Thompson
Get to Know Marc Isaacs
Marc Isaacs writes biopic about forgotten baseball star with lasting company legacy
Marc Isaacs return to finish Bachelor of Arts degree 33 years later
Get to Know Pan-American Films
Pan-American Films on Facebook
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In the midst of WWII, a young man from Niagara Falls prioritized two things: staying alive and keeping his loved ones updated through daily letters. By the day Private Frank Thompson was discharged from the Army Air Corps, he’d sent over 500 pieces of correspondence. Then, 18 years later, his sudden death at the age of 44 left his extensive documentation of wartime service largely forgotten. He also left behind a pregnant wife and six children, including a four-year-old daughter who turned his letters into a book when she grew up. Now, with the rapid loss of WWII veterans daily, she and the rest of our filmmaking team have come together to tell the story of this B-17 radio operator whose letters created a mission for her to get acquainted with her late father’s life and continue to shape his legacy in a narrative film.
The untold stories of WWII veterans are disappearing at a high rate every day, due to the deaths of this population and the fact that many of them never told their wartime stories following their military service. The story of Frank Thompson was only preserved by the discovery of his letters decades after his death. When his daughter Loretto began her mission to learn about Frank’s Army Air Corps service, it led her to meeting the pilot of Frank’s B-17 Flying Fortress, Roger Sundin. This encounter opened the door to hearing stories from “Big Sundin” that he’d never shared with his own family. In fact, it was Big Sundin who convinced Loretto that her mission and her father’s letters were worthy of a book.
Now, 61 years after Frank’s death, we are planning to shoot a short film version of the larger story, with a focus on the ditching that he, Lt. Sundin, and the B-17 crew survived in May 1945. Our location will be the expansive waters of Lake Ontario or Lake Erie to stand in for the North Sea and a Buffalo film studio for underwater closeups. Our second primary location will be the Thompson family home in Niagara Falls, now owned by Loretto’s brother and sister-in-law. Our third location will be a Western New York home to serve as the Maine home of Roger and Gloria Sundin, who became close with Loretto in their final years.
Our goal with this film is to bring Frank “back to life” symbolically and inspire audiences to examine what untold stories of service might exist in their families. With the goal of $12,500 reached, we can begin pre-production and set production dates for August 2026. Our full goal, outside of Seed & Spark, is $60,000. Any funds raised over our Seed & Spark goal will reduce the amount we need to raise from corporate and community relationships that our team has cultivated in Western New York and beyond. With production wrapped by September, we will be on track for a planned Veterans Day 2026 premiere, including a premiere on Kinema for funders of this campaign and an in-person private screening for military veterans, corporate donors, and members of various communities to which our team belongs. In addition, we plan to submit the finished work to select film festivals, especially ones with a track record of inclusion of military stories.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
World War II Replica Uniform Rentals
Costs $1,500
These are critical for representing the specific time period and branch of service and essential for credibility in military circles.
Veterans/Actors in Ditching
Costs $3,000
Real veterans add authentic behavior, discipline, and calm under pressure, perfect for a realistic 1940s B-17 ditching scene on water.
Lead Actor (Frank)
Costs $3,000
A recognizable star creates immediate emotional investment for audiences when there is no time to build depth with the character.
Lead Actor (Loretto)
Costs $3,000
A recognizable lead brings instant depth and empathy, so audiences quickly connect with a Niagara Falls woman driving the story.
Supporting Actor (Big Sundin)
Costs $2,000
A respected actor known for military roles brings instant credibility and gravitas to a 90-year-old veteran character, with minimal setup.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
An Unexpected Coddiwomple brings together author Loretto M. Thompson, screenwriter Marc Isaacs, and the production team at Western NY-based Pan-American Film Division to create a short film version of the true story of Loretto's journey to get to know her late father through his 522 letters written during World War II.
Get to Know Loretto M. Thompson
Our American Stories with Lee Habeeb audio interview with Loretto M. Thompson
Daytime Buffalo with Chelsea Lovell TV interview with Loretto Thompson and Marc Isaacs
On Target with Penny Wolfgang audio interview with Loretto Thompson
Get to Know Marc Isaacs
Marc Isaacs writes biopic about forgotten baseball star with lasting company legacy
Marc Isaacs return to finish Bachelor of Arts degree 33 years later
Get to Know Pan-American Films
Pan-American Films on Facebook