I guess this is as good a thread to bring it up as any, but does anyone remember that absolute TEAR JERKER of a film called 'Sunshine', made way back in early 70's? It's about a young mother (real name Jacquelyn Helton) diagnosed with cancer, and she wouldn't live to see her daughter (nik-named Sunshine) grow up. So she puts all of her thoughts on tape recording at the request of her hospital. Pretty sad film.
Well, friends and family of this lady say that John Denver
stole the song 'Sunshine on my shoulders" from her writings. She had many poems on paper and recording, but some fool kid stole those even. The incident got some publicity in Colorado after the kid stole her words, and John Denver was one of the celebrities to come to her aid. I spoke with a friend of hers (via email) and he confirms that knowing Jacquelyn Helton personally, Denver's lyrics to SOMS came as a direct result of her writings. Adding insult to injury, the movie made about her had names changed and such, so Hollywood took artistic liberties and changed parts around for a more dramatic effect. In particular, the movie shows her husband and daughter riding away from the hospital on a motorcycle because they couldn't watch her die. In reality, her husband never left her side. And he never owned a motorcycle either.
Hollywood
.