Original ‘Breakfast Club’ screenplay found in District 207 cabinet during move
Introduction
In a surprising turn of events, a piece of 1980s film history was unearthed during a move by Maine Township High School District 207 staff. An original screenplay of the iconic film “The Breakfast Club” was discovered in a filing cabinet at Park Ridge’s Maine South High School, just prior to the district’s move to a new building.
The Discovery
While going through the filing cabinet, one of the school district’s assistants stumbled upon a file containing a manuscript from “The Breakfast Club.” The screenplay, dated September 21, 1983, is a first draft written by John Hughes, the renowned writer of the film.
Connection to the School District
The school district has a legitimate reason for possessing the early film script. A significant portion of “The Breakfast Club” was filmed at Maine North High School, located in unincorporated Maine Township, during the spring of 1984. The school’s gym served as the soundstage for the Shermer High School library set that was constructed for the film. The movie, released in 1985, starred Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy.
Script Details
The cover of the discovered script indicates that it was a copy given to then-superintendent John Murphy in January 1984. On the right side of the cover, “Reviewed and approved by Dr. Murphy” is scrawled in blue pen. School district officials typically review scripts when a filming request is made to ensure the content aligns with their standards.
Interestingly, the script bears a little addition that adds to its authenticity. In the upper left corner, there appears to be pizza grease, which Superintendent Ken Wallace finds amusing. It is intriguing to imagine someone taking out the script over lunch and pondering its contents.
Differences from the Final Film
The extent to which the discovered manuscript differs from the final script and completed film can only be determined by devoted “Breakfast Club” aficionados who have thoroughly analyzed it. However, even just glancing at the first few pages reveals one obvious difference: the name of Molly Ringwald’s character. In the initial draft, her character was named Cathy Douglas, whereas in the final product, she became Claire Standish.
Related Filming Documents
The script was found among other documents connected to the filming of “The Breakfast Club.” These include a contract with Universal Studios, which established a rental fee of $48,000 for the use of the Maine North site. The school was made available to the film company 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Furthermore, correspondence between movie studio executives and district officials reveals that “Saturday Breakfast Club” was initially considered as a possible title for the film. Donald Stillwaugh, former coordinator of purchasing and facilities for District 207, wrote a final letter to Universal Studios’ unit production manager expressing fond thoughts and memories of the film, and expressing trust in its success.
Local Significance
Marking its 30th anniversary this year, “The Breakfast Club” is widely recognized as one of the most popular American “coming of age” films. The movie holds a special place in the hearts of locals due to its ties to the area. Producer, director, and screenwriter John Hughes grew up in Northbrook and drew inspiration from his experiences at Glenbrook High School.
The film’s setting, an early morning detention hall, is based on New Trier High School in Winnetka. Notably, the late film critic Gene Siskel was a student at New Trier during that time. Choosing to film at Maine Township added another layer of fondness for the movie within the local community.
Reflections from the Past
Don Kenney, the former chief financial officer of District 207, played a role in overseeing the filming process at Maine North High School. His responsibilities included ensuring the district was reimbursed for the building’s use and that any damage caused during filming would be repaired.
Kenney recalls his primary concern was protecting the gym floor from damage. To achieve this, the film crew placed large felt pads on the floor and built the set on top of them. While he had some involvement with the film, Kenney did not have direct interactions with John Hughes or the young cast. He may have briefly met Molly Ringwald, but their interaction was minimal.
Prior to the filming of “The Breakfast Club,” District 207 had been renting out Maine North for various purposes. At one point, the school served as the headquarters for the Chicago Blitz football team. However, due to declining enrollment projections, the school closed in 1981 after just 11 years of operation.
Proceeds from the sale of Maine North in 1988 were used last year to repurchase the former District 207 administration building. This repurchase prompted the move that led to the discovery of the “Breakfast Club” script.
Preservation and Display
Superintendent Ken Wallace considers the discovered script to be “an iconic piece of history.” The school district hopes to preserve and display it for public viewing, recognizing the tremendous rarity and significance of having such an iconic film associated with their district.
The unearthing of the original “Breakfast Club” screenplay serves as a reminder that hidden treasures can be found in unexpected places, even during routine moves.