Grease - It's Still the Word
June 30th 2007 21:20
Iconically – one of the most significant musicals of all time.
It's the film which brought us “Summer Nights”, “Greased Lightnin”, and “Hopelessly Devoted to You”.
Where teenagers around the world longed to adopt Rydell High as their own and audiences fell in love with Sandy (Olivia Newton John) and Danny (John Travolta).
From its corny (yet addictive) love songs to its ever so 2-dimensional characters – it’s brilliance lies in its upbeat simplicity.
Without doubt, Grease was the ultimate collision of talent, timing and lyrical brilliance – unlike its ill conceived Sequel – Grease II.
Effectively a musical-play adapted and produced by Allan Carr, Grease hardly had a lavish budget, yet this 1978 film directed by Randal Kleiser still manages to have huge audience appeal – even today.
But how would history have remembered this celloid juggernaut if . . .
. . . Henry Winkler, who was playing Fonzie on "Happy Days", and originally cast to play Danny decided to take the role. (He didn't - apparently for fear of being typecast - hmmm)
. . . or Lucie Arnaz (daughter of screen legend Lucille Ball) – having been the first choice for the role of Rizzo – actually auditioned for the part.
Then of course there’s the trivia.
Set in high school, most of the principal cast were way past their teenage years at the time of filming. John Travolta was 24; Jeff Conaway, Michael Tucci, Barry Pearl, and Didi Conn were all 28; Olivia Newton-John was 29; Jamie Donnelly was 30 and Stockard Channing was the eldest at 34.
"You're the One That I Want" took just an afternoon to film.
The film was released in Spain as Brilliantina - because its English title translated as "fat" in Spanish.
The scene in Frenchy's bedroom while Rizzo is singing the line about Elvis was actually filmed the same day that Elvis Presley died.
The final musical scene, "You're the One That I Want" was filmed with the help of a travelling carnival. However, a decision was made that additional scenes were needed for close-ups. Unfortunately the carnival had already 'pulled stumps' - so set designers were called in to build replica backgrounds, that matched the carnival ride's construction for the close-ups.
"Hopelessly Devoted To You" was written and recorded after the movie had finished. It's claimed that producers felt a strong ballad was needed and had Olivia Newton-John come back to film her singing this song.
The production had a product placement plan with Coca-Cola, but it fell through. The Coke products were taken out or blurred. There is a huge hanging picture/advertisement in the diner that was blurred out. Photos on the inside flaps of the soundtrack album have Pepsi products.
Yes – Grease was the word that we heard – and thankfully still hearing today.
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Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Thanks for sharing the fun facts!