Director: Randal Kleiser
Screenplay: Bronte Woodard
Based on the original musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Cinematographer: Rill Butler
John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
Priincipal McGee: Eve Arden
Teen Angel: Frankie Avalon
Vi: John Blondell
Vince Fontaine: Edd Byrnes
Coach Calhoun: Sid Caesar
Johnny Casino & the Gamblers: Sha-Na-Na
Waitress: Ellen Travolta |
This week we're returning to the 1950s, in spirit if not in fact. And I'm not talking politics.
The 20th anniversary release of "Grease" is an unexpected delight. It is great fun and it is clever filmmaking. No wonder it still holds the record as the biggest grossing movie musical in film history.
From the opening sequence with Sandy and Danny at the beach, the film, and the performers, knowingly winks at the audience inviting them to join in the fun and the excess. This sequence is a direct reference to the scene in the 1953 classic "From Here to Eternity", in which Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr roll round in the surf in a passionate embrace - a scene which shocked audiences in its day.
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John work well in their roles as Danny and Sandy. The support cast is strong. I particularly like Stockard Channing as Rizzo, the tough and savvy leader of the Pink Ladies. A young woman with a heart under her tough exterior.
There are also a host of wonderful comic characters, played by such well known veteran actors as Eve Arden and John Blondell. l950s teen heartthrob Frankie Avalon appears in a fantasy sequence and Edd Byrnes, the guy with the comb from "77 Sunset Strip" appears as Vince Fontaine. Anyone with pay TV is sure to have come across some of these in their previous incarnations.
Trivia buffs may delight in telling us that, whilst the movie is set in 1959, the juke box in the diner is a 1973 Wurlizter 1050. However, for most of us, what matters is the re-creation of the rock 'n roll 1950s through the costumes, the cars, the music, the dance and the sexual politics.
Sure "Hopelessly Devoted to You" remains as soppy and sentimental as ever, but Sandy doesn't. Whilst Danny struggles with modifying his macho persona, Sandy takes matters in hand and changes herself into a black leathered chick with attitude - every T-Bird's dream girl. Any musical comedy worth the name must have a happy ending! But at least in "Grease" the women take equal parts with the men in deciding what relationships they'll have.
As the publicity says, "Grease" is still the word - it's funny, it's fun and it is a well-made film! What more could an audience ask?
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