VOLUME 30-NUMBER 36 SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD, N.J. SEPTEMBER 10, 1987 30 CENTS SCOTCH PLAINS THE TIMES NUTWOOD Scotch Plains writer enjoys Hollywood hit by Hugh Lilly Dempsey). Ronald simply because of who I "Can't Buy Me Love," achieves his popularity, was with. It was a real the recent film released but loses sight of who he lesson." from Disney, has its roots really is and who he really Swerdlick attended in Scotch Plains! wants to be. American University in Michael Swerdlick, the The working title for Washington, DC after scriptwriter for "Can't the movie was "Balmoral graduating from high Buy Me Love" was raised Lane", the street in the school in 1974. He then here, He graduated from Scotchwood section of went on to law school at the local high school in town where Swerdlick Pepperdine University in 1974 and served as vice grew up. The original pro- Malibu, California. Upon president of . his ducers were using the title graduation, he took a job graduating class, "Boy Rents Girl" until at the William Morris Swerdlick wrote the film Disney purchased the Agency as a talent agent, with "only one place in movie, bought the rights where he spent most of his mind." In fact, he wanted to the Beatles hit from time reading and digesting to have the movie shot Michael Jackson, and scripts of other writers, here, featuring his alma renamed the movie, improving his own sense mater. However, the cost Swerdlick says that of what made a movie suc- prohibited the studio from Michael Eisner (Chairman cessful. doing so, and therefore, of Disney) himself chose Although the reviews they moved the site to the title and reportedly have been mixed, the bot- Arizona. But, two paid over $125,000 for the tom line for Disney has familiar spots—Friendly's rights. been excellent. In its first and Alphonso's While the story is set in two weeks, the movie was Pizzeria—inspired the high school and many among the three top gross- creation of "Scoops" and elements are modeled ing movies in the country. a pizza parlor in the after Scotch Plains, the By the time it leaves the movie. premise for the movie theaters in mid Septem- Swerdlick said he writes came from a revealing in- ber, it will gross around all his movies with Scotch pident a few years ago in $25 million! For a movie Hollywood screenwriter, Michael Swerdlick (left) and life-long friend, David Plains as the setting. In California. "I was work- that cost only $3 million to Moore (Vice President and President of SPFHS, Class of 1974) celebrate the fact, he vows to come ing at the William Morris shoot, it's a "hit" for opening of "Can't Buy Me Love" at a party in Beverly Hills in early August, back and shoot a movie Agency in Hollywood," Disney. Another friend, Lisa Kalb of Montclair, also joins In. someday. However, for smiles the 31-year old "The real accomplish- now he plans on slipping a screenwriter. "I was a ment is the odds that opening party of "Can't my English teacher." The was a great place to grow SPFHS T-shirt or jacket nobody—a lowly Michael beat", explains Buy Me Love" to three were classmates in up. I feel that my writing into.his next film. assistant— the executives life-long friend, David celebrate with Swerdlick. first grade at Shackamax- will always draw upon my "Cant't Buy Me Love" didn't even know I ex- Moore, also originally Michael says he sends all on School and have re- experiences there, par- is the story of a high isted. But one night, I had from Scotch Plains. of his scripts to Moore mained close friends for ticularly the great times I school "nerd" who tem- the good fortune to escort "Everyone in Hollywood and another Scotch Plains 28 years. had at Terrill Junior High porarily gains popularity a friend of mine, who is a is peddling a screenplay. friend, Tim Peres, for The 31-year old Los and SPFHS," by purchasing status in a top model, to an industry For Michael's first movie review even before his Angeles resident says he Swerdlick returns at cheerleader girlfriend. For party. All of a sudden, the to be distributed in over Hollywood agent gets to enjoys California, but em- least twice a year to the $1,000, Cindy Mancini very same people who 1,200 theaters around the read them. He says, "I phasizes he is loyal to New east coast, and always (played by Amanda Peter- previously wouldn't give country is an amazing ac- trust David's and Tim's Jersey, "I don't think visits his hometown. "He son) agrees to "pretend" me the time of day were complishment!" opinion. Besides David us- Southern California com- always takes a ride past his to go out with Ronald falling all over themselves Moore flew out to ed to correct my papers pares to New Jersey," he house. He's very sem- Miller (played by Patrick to act like my best friend, California for the grand before I handed them in to said. "And Scotch Plains Please turn to page 12 Neighboring communities celebrate Constitution Day Scotch Plains Mayor churches in Scotch Plains Irene Schmidt and Fan- who have bells or chimes wood Mayor Pat Kuran to ring them at 4 p.m. on have signed DAR pro- the 17th which is the ap- clamations designating proximate time the September 17, 1987 "U.S. historic document was Constitution Day" to signed in 1787. honor and commemorate Scotch Plains churches the 200th anniversary of participating are Im- the signing of our Con- maculate Heart of Mary, stitution. Scotch Plains Baptist, In conjunction with the Willow Drove celebration of this occa- Presbyterian, All Saint's sion, the Westfleld Episcopal, Evangel Chapter of NSDAR led by Church Assembly of God regent Joan Lowell Smith, and several churches also has arranged for all of the Please turn to page 12 Scotch Plains Mayor Irene Schmidt signs DAR pro- TO OUR READERS.,. Fanwood Mayor Pat Kuran signing similar pro- clamation declaring September 17th "U.S. Constitu- Effective immediately, THE TIMES will be In- clamation witnessed by Joan Smith and Dolores tion Day" as Westfield DAR Regent Joan Lowell creased to 30 cents per copy. Rising costs in all phases O'Brien, Chairman of Fanwood's Bicentennial Com- Smith, on left, and Board member Louise Brown of of operation have made the increase necessary. mission. Scotch Plains, look on. SCOTCH PLAINS Police News On September 2nd, a Medieval Fair is finale of Reading Club I— stereo, radar detector and 00 car phone were stolen from a vehicle parked on Balmoral Lane. m04 m That same day a purse, S FANWOOD containing credit cards UJ H At 3:30 a.m., on and cash, was stolen from o, September 6th, Demetrio an automobile parked on w Nizama, 58, of Plainfield, Aberdeen Road, was arrested for driving Burglars entered UJ while intoxicated. McGinn School by break- s Later that morning ing glass in a door on p Ismael Segouia, 29, of September 5th. Computer w Plainfield, was arrested telephones and hardware for driving while intox- were reported stolen at icated on South Avenue. that time. Gross Income Tax forms Some of the children enjoying themselves at the available at Township Hall Medieval Fair, Thomas E, Atkins, Regulation forms are Chivalrous knights and 72% over 1986 figures. Children playing the "Dragon Toss" game, Municipal Manager, available in Township fire-breathing dragons The Library offered 65 Township of Scotch Hall between the hours of were just a few of the programs. 1,266 children ; Plains advises that State 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. things found this summer and 219 adults attended WWL ad. of New Jersey Gross In- See receptionist for in- in the Children's Depart- these programs. come Tax Amnesty & formation. ment of the . Fanwood Memorial Library. Our Summer Reading Club final party this year This year's Summer was a Medieval Fair held DISCOUNT Reading Club theme was on August 26th. The over PET FOODS "Dragon Days and 200 children and 50 adults Reading Knights", featur- that attended the Fair CANINE ing the Elliot the Dragon received their Reading Bench & Field • lams • ANF 30% and 24% and the Puff the Dragon Club certificates, ate Eukanuba • Hi-Tor Natural • Science Did teams. 350 children joined Kasco * Wayne • Ken-L-Ration • Triumph refreshments, and played the club. 308 children ac- carnival-like, dragon- FELINE; Low Ash tively participated in it. themed games with the lams Tami Ami • Science Diet • Triumph The object of the game tickets they earned by was for each team to cover reading books. PETS AND their dragon with dragon Playing "Pin the Book in the Dragon's Hand THEIR PEOPLE scales. The team that The Library would like game" at the Medieval Fair. covered their dragon first 133 South Avenue to thank the Friends of the would be the winner. Puff Fanwood Fanwood Memorial 322-5111 the Dragon's team read Library for their in- Daily 9 to 6, Thurs. 9 to 9, 5,513 books and was valuable help in devising, Sun. H to 3 declared an increase of constructing, and organiz- ing the games at the Fair. The Fair would not have been possible without their generous support. You are cordially Invited to attend This year's Summer a seminar to discuss Reading Club was our most successful ever. It proves again what a vital part the Library plays in Real Estate As Part Of Your the lives of the children of Fanwood and their Investment Strategy This Year Decorating the Dragon at the Medieval Fair, parents.