Page 18
Thursday, August 10, 2000
a
Star G
zing
The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood
Arts & Entertainment
Can’t Buy Me Love Screenwriter
Michael Swerdlick Brings Pride
To Former Hometown of Scotch Plains
Pen and Ink
By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN
Slayer,” in a supporting role.
Can’t Buy Me Love was released
later that year and grossed $40
SCOTCH PLAINS — “He went
million in the United States and
from like, totally geek...to totally
$100 million worldwide. The Times
chic.” Sound familiar? That line
of Scotch Plains-Fanwood ran a
was uttered in the 1987 teen angst
front page story in honor of Mr.
movie Can’t Buy Me Love which
Swerdlick’s accomplishments on
included rising stars Patrick
September 10, 1987.
Dempsey, Amanda Peterson and
After achieving success on the
Seth Green, among others.
silver screen, Mr.
But the true celebrity
Swerdlick signed on
associated with the flick
as a writer for the
By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN
is traced to screenwriter
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
ABC TV series
Michael Swerdlick who
“Doogie Howser,
Wisecracking Bruce Willis made
grew up in Scotch Plains
M.D.” under the su- female cheeks blaze and hearts
and penned Can’t Buy Me
pervision of televi- skip beats with his flirtatious porLove.
sion mogul Steven trayal of private eye David Addison
Anyone who has seen
Bochco. Later, he in ABC’s “Moonlighting” during
the movie, which takes
joined the writing the mid-1980s. But, he proved his
place in a cliquey high
team of FOX TV se- ability to come back with a bang as
school filled with nasty
ries “Parker Lewis well as his versatility when he
teenagers, has probably
Can’t Lose” and helped a youngster who claimed
asked the question, “Is the
wrote for the popu- “I see dead people” in The Sixth
plot of Can’t Buy Me Love
lar teen drama Sense.
based on the life and times
The big brother to three other
“Beverly
Hills, siblings, Willis was born in Idarof Mr. Swerdlick as a stu90210,” also on FOX. Oberstein, Germany. The family
dent at Scotch PlainsMr. Swerdlick also returned to the U.S. when Willis’
Fanwood High School
produced the televi- father was discharged from the
(SPFHS)?”
sion films The Army in 1957. The family settled
No way! He graduated
Wher eabouts of in Carneys Point and Willis, who
from SPFHS in 1974 and
Jenny and The Com- suffered from a stutter, attended
has only flattering memoputer that Wore Ten- high school in nearby Penns Grove
ries of his experiences
where he was active in drama clubs
Michael Swerdlick, seen here with his proud mother, Ruth, nis Shoes, and served
there.
“The Class of ’74 was a during her visit to Los Angeles, has enjoyed screenwriting as a writer on the and took on the role of student
ABC TV show “Boy council president.
very special class,” he re- success on the big and small screens.
When Willis discovered his
Meets World.”
called. “Everybody got
flair
for acting, it gave him the
His
second
movie
script,
Class
agent.
During
his
tenure
at
the
along and there was no friction
between anybody. It was a really agency, his clientele included Tyne Act, grew into a film that starred confidence to articulate himself
supportive group. SPFHS was the Daly, Robert Reed and Michelle rap duo Kid ‘N Play, and hit movie on stage and conquer the stubborn stutter. Before he was discomplete opposite of the school in Phillips, as well as Janine Turner theaters in 1992. It earned $20 covered, however, Willis was a
million
at
home
and
$50
million
and
Sharon
Stone,
early
in
their
Can’t Buy Me Love.”
factory worker, band member,
globally.
If SPFHS was golden for Mr. careers.
security guard and bartender.
Mr.
Swerdlick
continues
to
write
It
was
while
working
as
a
talent
Swerdlick, where did he find the
Though he attended Montclair
inspiration to write a screenplay agent that Mr. Swerdlick received film screenplays and television pi- State College, he quit in the middle
about an unpopular teenager who his calling to become a screen- lots, even though most of them are of his junior year. When an audistill in development.
pays a girl in the popular crowd to writer.
tion for a role in Desperately Seek“As a screenwriter, less than one ing Susan proved to be unsuccess“When you represent actors and
date him?
“I was working as a lowly assis- actresses,” he explained, “you read quarter of what you write gets ful, he landed the role of Addison
tant at the William Morris Agency a lot of scripts. Through osmosis, made,” he explained, “This occurs in “Moonlighting” instead. The
mostly as a result of studios either hard work paid off.
and, when I would go to Holly- I learned how to be a writer.”
Mr. Swerdlick’s first screenplay not being able to sign big names to
Many Die Hard and Look Who’s
wood parties, nobody would give
me the time of day,” he said. “Once, was originally called Boy Rents star in projects, losing interest, or Talking films later, plus a divorce
I invited a friend of mine, who was Girl but he later changed the title not feeling that it is financially from brat packer Demi Moore,
a beautiful model, to accompany to Can’t Buy Me Love. He became sound to pursue them. You’re still Willis found his comeback in the
me to one of these parties. When a William Morris Agency client, paid, of course, even if your script role of a psychologist who aided a
she was standing next to me, ev- and, with his agent’s help, the is not made into a movie or televi- young Haley Joel Osment. He was
also well-received during some
eryone suddenly wanted to be my project received studio backing sion series.”
Mr. Swerdlick’s film screenplay recent cameos in NBC’s “Friends.”
friend. I thought to myself, ‘What if from Walt Disney Pictures.
Production began early in 1987 Home Run, which has nothing to
this happened to a high school
with Dempsey and Peterson cast do with baseball, was written for
student?’”
So, before the dawn of the 1990s, as the lead characters and Seth Paramount Pictures and took place
Green, who can be seen in the in Scotch Plains. However, Home
Can’t Buy Me Love originated.
Mr. Swerdlick did not start out in Austin Powers movies and on the Run is still in development.
Scotch Plains has left a lasting
the entertainment industry. After TV series “Buffy the Vampire
impression on the screenwriter.
“Whenever I write a script that
takes place in a suburb, I always
think of Scotch Plains. If there is a
scene that is supposed to be filmed
in a pizzeria, the first place that
comes to my head is Alfonso’s,
By ANDY GOLDENBERG
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
and, if I have to describe a fancy
Searching For Bobby Fischer, a
restaurant, I base that description
on the Stage House. I use Scotch DVD recently released by ParaPlains as a template for suburban mount Home Video, is the heartfelt and touching story about a
life in my scripts.”
In addition to Home Run, there seven-year-old who happens to
WESTFIELD — As part of Kean corporate a revised libretto apare other works by Mr. Swerdlick be a chess prodigy. Paramount
University’s second annual Arts proved by the Cole Porter estate.
with references to his hometown. also brings audiences the
Incubator Series, the Westfield This will be the official premiere
In an episode of “Beverly Hills, widescreen version of The Firm,
Young Artists’ Cooperative The- of the revised work in the state
90210,” Ian Ziering’s character the thriller starring Tom Cruise
atre (WYACT) will perform Cole of New Jersey.
Steve Sanders answered a phone and Gene Hackman. The picture
Porter’s The Gay Divorce tomorcall and said as a joke “Hello, and audio quality are superb.
Synopsis of The Gay Divorce:
row, August 11,
Alfonso’s Pizzeria” and the cast
While traveling
Saturday, August
constructed a homecoming parade
abroad, American
12, and Sunday,
float similar to the one that the
novelist
Guy
August 13.
SPFHS Class of 1974 made for its
Holden falls in
All performances
homecoming ceremony.
Coming Next Week:
love with a beauwill be held at 7:30
Despite his Hollywood accotiful lady named
Pen & Ink will take a look
p.m. in The Zella
lades, Mr. Swerdlick does not want
into how the entertainment
Mimi who mysteFry Theatre at Kean
his work on a movie or television
industry gets involved in poliriously disappears
University
in
series to be on his tombstone.
tics. Star Gazing correspondent
after their initial
Union.
“I just want to be remembered
Josh Hamerman will detail his
meeting. When he
“WYACT has
for being a good person and for
interview with actress Sally
later
runs
into
her
been selected for
doing the right thing,” he admitKirkland. Take the Stage correat a seaside resort,
the second year for
ted.
spondent Kerrianne Spellman
she
mistakes
him
the Kean University
Cort will give her review of
for the paid coArts Incubator
Please send all A&E
WYACT’s The Gay Divorce, and
respondent
whom
Project because of
correspondent Jamie Dougher
News,
Story
Ideas
to:
she has hired to
WYACT’s excelwill interview Scotch Plains
[email protected]
facilitate
her
divorce.
lence and commitment to the
band “Six Go Home.”
Other colorful characters inhighest levels of theatrical art.
This year, Kean is especially clude Guy’s lawyer friend, Teddy
pleased to host WYACT and its Egbert; oft-divorced friend and
production of The Gay Divorce, protectress, Hortense; and the
as the play upholds the Cole idiot co-respondent Tonetti,
Porter tradition, a mainstay in whose motto is “your wife is safe
American music,” said Susan with Tonetti - he prefers spaAppelbaum, Arts Incubator ghetti.”
The hit song from the producProject Director.
Cole Porter is recognized to- tion, “Night and Day,” became
day for the incomparable Tony an even bigger hit in the late
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
Award winning Kiss me Kate. He 1930s and survives as one of the
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
offered a string of hit shows such celebrated standards of musical
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/2 c. Golden Delicious apples,
as The New Yorkers, Anything theater.
The Arts Incubator Project is in
1 1/2 c. flour
peeled and grated
Goes, Jubilee, Red Hot And Blue,
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. raisins
Dubarry Was A Lady and a musi- its second year at Kean Univer1 tsp. lemon rind, grated
1/2 c. pecans, chopped
cal comedy in two acts, The Gay sity. The only Incubator in the
country to be housed on a uni1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Divorce.
Originally cast with Fred Astaire versity campus, the Project seeks
Using a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add
as Guy and Claire Luce as Mimi, to provide much needed space
eggs, lemon rind, baking soda, flour, cinnamon, cardamom
The Gay Divorce opened and ran for high level pre-professional
and salt and fold in. Stir in apples, raisins and pecans. Grease
for 248 performances at the Ethel New Jersey theatre organizations.
Participating groups are sea 1 1/2 quart pudding mold. Spread mixture in mold and
Barrymore Theatre in New York
City in 1932 and became a popu- lected competitively in Decemcover firmly. Place mold in large pot, adding boiling water
lar film, Gay Divorcee, starring ber for participation during the
until halfway up sides of the mold. Cover pot and bring to a
Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Eric Blore summer months.
boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours. Remove pudding
WYACT is a non-profit organiand Edward Everett Horton.
from the pot and cool for 10 minutes. Remove pudding from
WYACT’s production will inContinued on Page 17
mold and place on serving dish. Serve warm. Serves 10.
By JOSH HAMERMAN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION
receiving a law degree from
Pepperdine University and passing the bar exam, he began work
as a lawyer only to find that it was
not for him.
He then became employed by
the William Morris Agency, one of
the largest talent agencies in the
world, at its Los Angeles office first
as an assistant and then as an
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Bruce Willis
(1955- )
The Strife Is Over! Robert Downey, Jr.
Finally Gets Jail Release He Deserves
Now that Cell No. 17 at the California Substance Abuse Treatment
Facility in Corcoran, Calif. is void of actor Robert Downey, Jr., the world
is a better place to live. Welcome
back to the actor who, despite his
troubled past which he has conquered with flying colors, has delighted me in his roles in Chances
Are, OnlyYou,InDreams,ThePickup
Artist and Home for the Holidays with
that flair and gleam in his eyes that
simply no one can duplicate.
Somebody get Los Angeles County
Municipal Court Judge Lawrence
Mira a working calculator. Erring
miserably, Mira forgot to figure in the
some 323 days that the Oscar-nominated actor had already served in a
lock-down drug rehabilitation facility. Downey, who should have been
released in February, was, according
to Mira’s miscalculations, supposed
to leave prison in November.
So, what did he do with those extra
months he spent in prison? According to a recent article in Vanity Fair,
Downey slaved five days a week as
a cafeteria worker or on dishwasher detail for about 3 1/2 hours
a day. His paycheck? Eight cents an
hour. Other sources have reported
that an alleged sexual harassment
and stabbings have been endured
by Downey. He maintained his
spirits by drawing portraits and
writing to fans who sent their support and words of encouragement.
All this while, other actors and
actresses with the same, if not worse,
types of narcotics and alcohol problems and offenses, are as free as
Robert Downey Jr.
birds. Going to Hollywood parties,
shopping on Rodeo Drive, taking in
a movie’s world premiere. It’s a slap on the wrist for Halle Berry, who should
be tripping over her conscience when she strides down the red carpet. It’s
the same for Darryl Strawberry, who despite his cancer diagnosis, jumped
rehab sentences just like Downey with no excuses made to anyone.
Now that justice has been served, my thoughts are with the actor who
has served more than enough time learning his lesson. I, just like many
of his other fans, pray that Downey will keep walking the straight and
narrow and piece his life back together.
As for Mira, can he give Downey back those months of life that he
unjustly served? Ah! Therein lies the true crime.
On The Beat
WITH ANDY GOLDENBERG
MGM Video Releases Woody Allen’s
Slapstick Comedies to Keep Us Amused
WYACT Returns to Kean’s
Arts Incubator Project
With The Gay Divorce
The Main Ingredient
Lowfat Apple Pudding
CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK
Another archival release from
Paramount in widescreen format
is American Gigolo starring Richard Ger e. Finally, one of
Paramount’s DVDs I am looking
forward
to
watching is The
Talented Mr.
Ripley starring
Matt Damon,
G w y n e t h
Paltrow and
Jude Law.
From Elektra
Entertainment
comes the stunning S&M starring Metallica with the San Francisco Orchestra. This double disc
set is what makes the DVD format so special as it contains a
multitude of different camera
angles as well as a 45-minute
documentary. Combined with
startling audio and video quality,
this DVD is one for the archives.
I was shocked to hear how well
the orchestra mixed with such
hard rock music. The sound engineers deserve special kudos for
being able to capture every sonic
nuance without distortion.
Anchor Bay Entertainment
brings us the outrageously funny
Kentucky Fried Movie from the
zany Zucker brothers who
brought us Airplane. Comprised
of numerous comedy skits, this
DVD had me rolling in the aisle,
(well, actually my basement
couch as I do not really have an
aisle in my home!)
Columbia Home Video has just
released a stunning concert DVD
from the late great Jeff Buckley
entitled Live in Chicago. Recorded
at the Cabaret Metro in May of
1995, this performance perfectly
encapsulates the ascent of the
young singer songwriter.
MGM Home Video has just released some classic Woody Allen
DVD titles including Manhattan,
co-starring Diane Keaton and
Mariel Hemingway. Manhattan
offers a funny yet poignant look
at twisted relationships in the
setting of New York City.
Perhaps the finest Woody Allen
slapstick films also come from
MGM — Love & Death, Sleeper
and Bananas. No home video
collection will be complete without these essential comedies.
Finally, 20th Century Fox Home
Entertainment brings us the classic Butch Cassidy & the Sundance
Kid starring Robert Redford and
Paul Newman. Presented in full
anamorphic-widescreen splendor, this special edition DVD
comes complete with a 45-minute
documentary as well as audio
commentary by director George
Roy Hill.
Recently released, standout CD
releases include the long overdue America box set, “30 Years
of America,” from Rhino Records.
This 3-disc gem includes every
song a fan would want including
“Ventura Highway,” “Sister
Golden Hair,” “A Horse With No
Name.” An informative biographical booklet is also
part of the package. Nice job
Rhino!
Epic/Legacy
brings us two remastered classics
from guitar wizard Jeff Beck including “Truth &
Beck-Ola.” Each
album features
Ron Wood, Rod Stewart, as well
as cameo appearances by Nicky
Hopkins and John Paul Jones.
In addition, some country music legends get the royal re-mastered treatment with “Love, God
& Murder,” a 3-disc theme compilation of Johnny Cash classics
as well as the epic in concert
album “Johnny Cash at San
Quentin” recorded at (well you
can do the math!). This deluxe
reworking of the album includes
nine bonus tracks not featured
on the original album and the
liner notes are excellent. Legacy
is earning their name with this
release.
Speaking of Legacy, Willie
Nelson’s classic 1975 concept album “Red Headed Stranger” has
just been re-mastered and exContinued on Page 17