Tuesday, June 14, 2011
One more thing...
Perhaps the best part about the things mentioned in the previous post is that it's a true story...all of it.
Thinking about a screenplay
I've been writing notes about a possible screenplay inspired by (certain portions of) "SWEDE". It seems most movies today are either 3D and/or animated, are F/X dominated, have gore, monsters, or vampires. I'm thinking there is an appetite for a period piece movie with action, humor, romance, etc. I'm thinking of movies like "Hoosiers", "The Blind Side", etc., both of which had sports themes but were not just sports movies. Both seemed to have universal appeal.
Some of my thoughts regarding what would play well on screen:
1)The time and place; pre WWII, depression area Newark, NJ, in an historic all-Jewish neighborhood
2)Tiny, unknown Panzer College, led by Swede, which captured the imagination of fans by winning an all time college best 44 straight games.
3)It's forgotten today, but at the time there was an organized movement by a Nazi organization to spread the Nazi "ideal", and the Newark area was their prime target. A local Jewish gangster, Longy Zwillman, organized "The Minutemen", made up of ex-Jewish boxers, to disrupt the Nazi Rallies.
4)Humor. Much of the cast would be young, attractive (eye candy for viewers), fast talking and feisty.
5)An intriguing love interest: The star Jewish athlete, Swede, and the beautiful Italian Catholic girl, Estelle.
6)At the center of everything would be Swede, who develops from a big, clumsy, unassuming kid who doesn't have a clue about sports to a heroic sports icon, a source of pride of the Weequahic Jews.
So there could be plenty of sports action, focusing on Swede in his various sports stardom; romance, but one that causes more than a little drama with the dis-approving parents; a Jews vs. Nazis sub-theme; a young, funny, good looking supporting cast; and the bigger than life, gentle giant persona of Swede.
So I think there is a lot of entertainment potential, and an opportunity to do something a bit different. If nothing else it will be fun to work on!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
"Best of 2010"
Kirkus Discoveries, an international review house of new authors, named Swede "Best Biography" in it's Best of 2010" rankings. Very exciting for this new author. The review itself, attached in my previous post, was wonderful (if I do say so myself) and a nice surprise.
A woman who just started reading the book told me she was balling after reading the introduction. I asked her if she was bored to tears, and she reassured me it was because she felt it was so touching. Nice getting that kind of feedback!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Review of "SWEDE"
I was thrilled with a review that just came out about "SWEDE". Kirkus Reviews is an independent, nationally known book review outfit. Their reviews help libraries and bookstores make product decisions. I was quite excited to read it, and I have shared a link to it for those interested.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Three Thugs (plus me)
When I wrote "SWEDE", I took advantage of the opportunity to besmirch the reputations of many of my oldest and closest friends. That included the Purzycki brothers and Joe Abruzzese. They are pictured with me above: Joe P. (out of uniform) on the left, Mike P. on the right, and Joe Abruzzese, the tiny little trouble-maker, who routinely found a way to place us in peril, 2nd from left. All three grew up in the rough and tumble Vailsburg section of Newark.
Growing up in South Orange my siblings and I lived sheltered lives. When I left for college, and became friends with the thugs, er, gentlemen in the photo, that changed. They were at times outrageous personalities; there was never a dull moment when I was in their presence. The impressive thing is that in spite of all their brawls and shenanigans, they are in their own way brilliant, creative people, and all three are wildly successful in their adult lives. (Yes, miracles do happen).
We have remained close friends over the years, and when we get together (way too infrequently) the sharp wits and trash talking are a sight to behold. Fortunately, one of us (that would be me) maintains his dignity and rises above the immature banter that predictably ensues when we reunite. One word to the wise...as Iron Mike, the Purzycki boys's father used to preach, "always keep an arms reach away" (so as not to get sucker punched).
All kidding aside, they are terrific, creative, guys.
Well, except for Abruzzese.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Swede and Lonnie
On numerous occasions my father has been mentioned along with another phenomenal New Jersey athlete: Lonnie Wright. Both were from Newark, and both were known for their remarkable versatility. Conventional wisdom is that they are the two greatest all-around athletes Newark ever produced, and both were included when the Star Ledger of Newark named New Jersey's top 50 athletes of the 20th century.
Swede and Lonnie were in the inaugural group of inductees into the Newark Sports Hall of Fame. I approached Lonnie and told him that he was my idol when I was a kid. He laughed and said that Swede had been HIS idol.
Wright was all-state in everything in high school. At Colorado State he was an All-American basketball player and set the school shot-put record. Perhaps his most impressive sports accomplishment came later. Lonnie is the only athlete in the modern era of pro sports to play the two sports of football and basketball (Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets). There have been a small hand full of two sport pro athletes, but not football and basketball. Wright is the only one. My father always knew he was in special company when he was compared to Lonnie Wright.
I spoke to my buddy Joe Abruzzese today, and he reminded me that he played baseball against Wright in high school. Joe, a catcher, tried to throw Lonnie out while he was stealing second base, and joked that by the time the ball got to second, Wright was on third.
It's somewhat unfortunate that Lonnie Wright's name is not a household name. It should be. He was that special.
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Rivalry: Weequahic vs. Hillside High
My father received more attention with his basketball exploits in high school, college and as a professional than he did in other sports. But he felt his best sports would have been as a decathlete in track and field or as a football player. His size, strength, speed and athleticism must have stood out on the gridiron; he was not only Weequahic's best runner, receiver and linebacker...as a Freshman (!), but based on articles in the scrapbook, his punting was out of this world.
It was unfortunate that Swede's Russian Jewish immigrant parents had no knowledge of or appreciation for football. They did not attend his games (and that included basketball) until the final game of Swede's Sophomore year...the Thanksgiving Day game against their football rival, Hillside High. My Uncle Leo, Swede's older brother, took Max, and they watched as Swede was involved in virtually every play, whether it be offense, defense, or special teams.
Late in the game, Swede was gang tackled after a very long run, and was knocked cold. As my father's prone body lay motionless in the muddy turf, Leo ran on to the field. But he was just as worried about Max, who was beside himself in the stands, wondering about the fate of his son.
Swede suffered a concussion, but otherwise there was no permanent damage. But seeing his son knocked cold was all Max needed to see. He put his foot down...there would be no more football for his son. The following two years my grandparents were visited at home by the football coach (several times), the athletic director, other parents, etc. It was quite frustrating for the student body that the school's top player, arguably the best in the state, was not playing. I was amazed at how many articles were written in the Newark papers about the "parental objections" to Swede playing football.
Somewhat miraculously, Swede's crying and nagging finally got Max and Sonia to relent for the final four games of his senior year. The write-ups of those games are full of his exploits all over the field.
One thing that struck me as I was working on the book was how many people remember that game (played 75 years ago)! Obviously it was a big rivalry, but it seemed like everyone from my parent's era witnessed Swede get knocked out that day. And they passed it on to their children! And everyone had their own spin. Many were positive that Hillside had it in for my father, and "went after" him, trying to put him out of the game. (I doubt it). Many had differing recollections about the details; but more importantly, everyone was there. Unfortunately, including Max. Who knows...if Max didn't attend that game, Swede might have ended up playing professional football.
As for Swede, he told me the only thing he ever remembered was making a long run and was about to be met by some defenders. He had no recollection of what happened after that...other that he didn't play any more football for two years.
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