A pioneering football coach and one of the biggest celebrities of the 1920's, Rockne was instrumental in developing concepts like the the forward pass, offensive shifts, and the use of the huddle between plays. Though Notre Dame already had a winning tradition before him, the school's mystique really began with Rockne's tenure.

How do you pronounce Knute?

The proper Norwegian pronunciation is "Kah noot", like the Danish Canute.

I thought Howard Jones was a singer?

There is a musician by that name, but Howard Harding Jones was a coach who gained his greatest fame guiding the USC Trojans. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

What made you write the script?

I felt that the incredible series of events that started this great rivalry was a compelling story that begged for a dramatic adaptation. Films like Seabiscuit, Cinderella Man, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, and The Greatest Game Ever Played show the interest in the period.

Why this story?

In 2005 thirty million viewers watched one of the greatest games in history when USC traveled to South Bend to face the Fighting Irish. This was the same kind of football that has been played since the very first game in 1926. Coupled with the changes in society taking place during the 1920's, which we still feel today, the story of Rockne & Jones mirrors the story of America in the early Twentieth Century.

Aren't period films a difficult sell?

All films are difficult to bring to the screen. Period movies do offer unique challenges of course. However, Rockne & Jones has been designed to concentrate on a few major settings that might involve visual effects to recreate the 1920's, and a few smaller scenes that can be set in existing locations. Discussions have already begun with firms that provide period football equipment and trains for movie productions.

How much of the screenplay actually happened?

Virtually everything that takes place really happened. Some details have been dramatized, and one scene is fabricated in its entirety. One major character is a fictitious creation that serves as the villain of the piece.

Do you have anyone in mind to play the characters?

Yes, I do. Particularly for the role of Knute Rockne, but I can't mention any names. For the role of Howard Jones, a relatively unknown actor may work. More important than big names are talented actors who can make these characters come alive.

I root for USC, but my wife is a Notre Dame fan.

Have there been many films made about Notre Dame football?

Yes. Perhaps the first was a Mack Sennett comedy called Halfback of Notre Dame in 1924. The Spirit of Notre Dame was released shortly after Rockne's death in 1931. 1940's Knute Rockne, All American is the most famous, and actually has a cameo by the real Howard Jones. The 1965 comedy John Goldfarb, Please Come Home featured a farcical game with the Fighting Irish. Rudy is the most recent.

Wasn't the game of football a lot different back then?

Yes, in many ways. Some of the aspects of the way the game was played might look odd to modern eyes, so a balance needs to be struck between authenticity and dramatic necessities. Decisions need to be made, and in some cases something may be shown in a way that looks right to modern eyes while still seeming to fit into the time period. As an example, in the movie Gladiator, Roman troops rode horses with stirrups even though they were not introduced until centuries after the time period of the film.

Is it true that some USC players became Hollywood movie stars?

Yes, both John Wayne and Ward Bond played football at USC. Coach Howard Jones helped his players get studio jobs and some of them went on the stardom.

What's the story about Clara Bow and the USC team?

Clara Bow was the first Hollywood sex symbol. She was a big star, but people in her inner circle turned on her, and vicious rumors of lewd behavior became grist for the gossip mill. Though like many film celebrities she was a fan, and even went out on a few dates with players (she was about the same age at the time), the wild stories are NOT true.

What sort of off the field images of the Notre Dame side are depicted in this film?

Besides iconic campus landmarks like the Golden Dome and the Grotto, there will be both reverent and comical depictions of Knute Rockne's family, clergy rooting for their team, subway alumni with a bit of the blarney, and even a hint of Al Capone's gang in old Chicago.

What's your goal with this project?

I hope to see this story on television within the next three years. I have a lot of ideas on how to do that, but for right now my first goal is to get the attention of people who can make it happen.

Can I contact you?

By all means! Please visit the contact page for more information.