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| Grease
Year: 1978
Classification: Musical
Directed:
- Randal Kleiser
Actors/Actresses:
- Michael Biehn
- John Travolta
- Johntravolta
- Olivia Newton-John
AFI's Great Love Stories: #97 Grease
I have seen "Grease" performed on stage (a dinner theater still counts as a stage, people), so I have a great appreciation for how it was turned into a big screen musical. Actually, "Grease" was the movie that proved the musical was not dead, although it did not really inspire the rebirth of the musical (One word: "Xanadu"). Sweet All-Australian girl Sandy Olsen (Olivia Newton-John) had a summer romance with greaser Danny Zucko (John Travolta), and now at Rydell High he is too caught up with his cool dude image to admit he really, really likes her. Travolta puts his charm into overdrive while Newton-John looks so darn cute and perky you might not be able to stand it, but Stockard Channing as Rizzo steals this movie in my book ("There Are Worst Things I Could Do"). For the most part the choreography by Patricia Burch (who would get the opportunity to direct "Grease II") is better than the songs and the songs are not half-bad. However, my favorite will always be "Beauty School Dropout" sung by Teen Angel Frankie Avalon, which might be as funny a tongue-in-cheeck song as you will ever find in a Hollywood musical. One of the other things I like about "Grease" is that it retains its hard edge; there are a couple of cruel lines in here that you are not going to want to explain to younger kids (you will have enough trouble explaining how Sandra Dee is to them). However, they do serve to anchor the movie a bit. Not a deep musical and not particularly romantic per se, just one where a good time is had by all.
Most romantic line(s): (1) "Oh Danny, is this the end?" "No Sandy. It's only the beginning." (2) "Tell me about it...stud."
Two Tear-Jerking Scenes: Um, there are several scenes with some jerks, does that count?
If you like "Grease," then check out these other films on AFI's list: #12 "My Fair Lady." Why? Because they are both based on Pygmalion and the transformation of a female from social outcast to paragon of social grace. Oh, and they both have singing.
Hopelessly Devoted to this movie!
Grease was the first film that I saw more than once in the theatre (6 times to be exact) in 1978. It was the largest running musical in theatre history and the film was closely based on the 1972 musical play. The film featured a '50s theme, cashing in on the nostalgia craze that was going on at that time, containing the fashions, the music and the fads of that era plus [desire] overtones expressed by the teenagers.
The story revolves around the seniors of Rydell High School and tells of their boy-girl problems, their lack of interest in School, the importance of having a fast car, the loud chaos of dances, pep rallies and the end of the year carnival. This film really gave me a false perception of what high school should be. It shows high school to be fun and games and glamorous. I was disappointed when I began attending high school and realized that it was not was it was like in the movies. :)
Produced by Robert Stigwood (of Saturday Night Fever, Tommy and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band fame) the film featured humorous songs ('Beauty School Dropout'), '50s era inspired music ('Born to Hand Jive'), and songs that were also popular during that era ('Hound Dog' and 'Blue Moon'). Some songs had also been featured in the Broadway musical ('Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee' and 'Summer Nights') and some were written specifically for his movie ('Grease' and 'Hopelessly Devoted to You')...
There are two highpoints in the film. The first once occurs at midpoint in the movie, when Rydell High is featured on National Bandstand and the whole school is dancing to 'Rock and Roll is Here to Stay' and 'Born to Hand Jive.' The other is when the end of the school year carnival occurs where everybody sings and dances to 'We Go Together.' These two scenes feature large production numbers involving the entire cast and solo dancing featuring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John...
While watching Grease, I found the film to be lively and uplifting that helped people relive the '50s all over again and those who never lived in the '50s wished they had. Photography, editing and the ages of the cast was completely overlooked once I became engrossed in the plot and the music.
The film was a hit not because the film company said it was good. It was a hit because it appealed to the public, adults and teens and it was a timeless film that will be enjoyed by the public for years to come.
Grease lightning!
(...)
Anyway, "Grease" is one of my favorite movies. It's just one of those timeless gems that will never die (can't say the same for the sequel, though). Every song is a joy and the film couldn't have been casted any better. John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing; all involved give indelibly charming performances. A lot of great films came out of the 70's (The Godfather, A Clockwork Orange, Taxi Driver, Chinatown, Jaws, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, etc., etc...) but "Grease" is still able to hold it's own after all these years. A quintessential film to add to your collection.
As far as the DVD goes, well... it's typical of Paramount to stiff us with what could have been a solid release. If you take into account that almost everyone who buys the disc already knows all the songs and dialogue by heart, the studio could have done lots of fun things with the material. Alas, we only get a songbook (which is admittedly kinda cool) and a documentary. Oh, yeah. And a theatrical trailer. How rare. *scoffs*BR> BR>A half-assed effort to bring "Grease" to a great medium notwithstanding, I'd highly recommend buying this.
"Summer lovin'... had me a bla-haaast..."
Buy Grease at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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