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Morning Call - Allentown, Pa. Author: TRACY JORDAN, The Morning Call

Copyright Morning Call Sep 7, 1999

Moravian Historical Society curator Mark Turdo has been discovered by Hollywood.

Turdo headed to South Carolina two weeks ago to join blue-eyed film hunk Mel Gibson on the set of "The Patriot."

But don't expect to see the duo chumming it up on the big screen.

Turdo landed a job as a consultant for the movie because of his hobby as a Revolutionary War re-enactor with the 2nd New Jersey Helms' Co. of Maxwell's Brigade, according to Moravian Historical Society Executive Director Susan Dreydoppel.

Turdo, a Continental Army private who trains newly recruited re- enactors, set out for Rock Hill, S.C., with the commander of the regiment, Paul Hutchins of Alpha, N.J.

"They're supposed to train the extras, but they're hoping once they get there they'll also get to be extras," Dreydoppel said.

The film, which is partially being shot in Cypress Gardens, is loosely based on South Carolina Revolutionary War Gen. Francis Marion, known as the Swamp Fox because of his guerrilla warfare-like tactics.

Turdo and Hutchins will train the movie extras to carry out historically accurate performances as Revolutionary War soldiers for the Columbia Pictures movie, which is scheduled to be released next summer.

Dreydoppel said the board of directors granted Turdo a nine-week sabbatical leave for this unusual job opportunity under one condition -- Turdo had to promise that he'll be back.

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