The UK's PathePictures has signed Randi Mayem Singer, the writer of last year's blockbusterMrs Doubtfire, to write the screenplay for The Seven Fires Of Mademoiselle, the film of Esther Vilar's novel whichMike Newell is to direct.

Judy Counihanand Lila Rawlings' Pearl Pictures is producing the film which is set inKennedy-era Washington DC and is the story of a young French au pair who ispursued by the capital's most eligible bachelors and falls for the local firechief. The story is told through the eyes of an only child who finds herselfembroiled in her nanny's plans to seduce the man of her dreams.

Mayem Singeralso created and executive produced the TV series Jack And Jill for the WB Network. Her deal wasbrokered by her agent Todd Hoffman of Broder, Kurland, Webb and Uffner andlawyer Jean Tanaka of Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka & Finkelstein with Pathe'sPierre du Plessis.

The deal wasannounced by Matt Gannon, head of development at Pathe.