He would arrive home appalled at "how inconsiderate some of these women can be...the way they shop!" "They block the aisles, they ram my cart...one women even took one of my items out of MY cart!" We'd be very entertained with Swede's weekly food-shopping adventures. The only negative...he never bought junk food. My sibs and I always preferred Estelle doing the shopping, since we knew she'd come through with some stuff that, though bad for us, satisfied out sweet teeth.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Swede vs. the Housewives
In certain ways Swede was ahead of his time. An example: he often did the family food shopping. The local Shop-Rite would be filled with housewives and Swede. I don't think he realized he was out of his league. My poor father thought that shopping should be a science, with a logical, pre-arranged strategy of what food categories, which aisles, coupon usage, etc. Naturally, he was always considerate, making sure not to block an aisle with his cart, moving along quickly, etc. To do it any other way would be illogical, and he wouldn't have that.
Friday, July 8, 2011
"Quanto sei bella"
My Italian-American grandfather, Anthony Lepore, occasionally spoke a few words in Italian. They were usually swear words. But as kids they went over our heads. He often would pinch (my siblings) Dale, Patty and Doug on the cheek, saying "quanto sei bella" ("you are so beautiful)." Then he'd come over and pinch my cheek and say "quanto sei bruto" ("you are so ugly)." Sheesh.
Anthony liked to tell the story of when he took the family to a local college basketball game...they knew a couple of the players on one of the teams. But their team lost because "some big lug" on the other team totally dominated the game, getting all the rebounds, scoring most of the points, all quite effortlessly. Anthony rooted quite aggressively against this guy, who turned out to be his future son-in-law, Swede Masin, playing for Panzer College.
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.
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