years later, I have found that nothing has changed: the humor is as refreshing as it was before,
the music light and carefree, the effect a dose of pure movie magic. It just doesn't get much
better than this.
For those who have been living under a rock for the last quarter of a century, here's a refresher:
high school heartthrob/big man on campus Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Australian goody-
goody Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) spend the summer frolicking on the beach to the wafting
sounds of "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing." Once school is back in session at Rydell High,
Danny, thinking he will never see Sandy again, is back to his old tricks, until he finds out she
also attends classes there. Of course, the standards of being as slick as hair grease don't
exactly make him very appealing to Sandy, and the two go through a series of ups and downs
before finally reuniting at the film's end to sing the famed "You're The One I Want."
Quite a simple story when you look back on it, but that's the beauty of it. Bronte Woodard's
screenplay, which was based on the Broadway musical of the same name, doesn't make
unnecessary demands of its audience, even with its inclusion of various supporting characters
who each have a unique brand of charm. The Pink Ladies have such a sassy verve that truly
stands out, while the T-Birds are pumped full of testosterone and ultra-slick appeal. The warmth
of the material, as well as the lovable nature of the characters, provide the movie with such an
irresistable charm that it's hard not to fall in love with it.
The film's stand-alone feature is its phenomenally catchy soundtrack, which features a wealth of
songs and tunes that stay with you for years and years. The theme song, "Summer Nights,"
"Hand Jive," and Frankie Avalon's crooning away on "Beauty School Dropout," coalesce to
create one of the more memorable movie soundtracks of all time. What's even more entertaining
is the treatment they receive through the extensive choreography by Patricia Birch; the dancing,
the prancing, the singing, the cheeriness, the somber moods of tunes like "Hopelessly Devoted
to You," the awe-inspiring timing and calculated moves that appear natural and unplanned, all
combust in a gorgeous fire of song and dance that is guaranteed to have you up on your feet,
mimicing the moves (and yes, I'm speaking from personal experience).
Accompanying the soundtrack is an equally fabulous ensemble cast. Newton-John and Travolta
are as sure-fire as they were many years ago, and they are backed by supporting actors who
know how to strut their stuff. Stockard Channing (Rizzo), Jeff Conaway (Kenickie), Barry Pearl
(Doody), Michael Tucci (Sonny), Kelly Ward (Putzie), Didi Conn (Frenchie), Jamie Donnelly
(Jan), and Dinah Manoff (Marty), all have such a terrific chemistry together onscreen as the high
school seniors, and we love each of them for a variety of reasons. Eve Arden is a hit as the
school's principal (her "athletic supporter" line is one of the film's most humorous), Sid Caesar
is warm and lovable as the football coach, and Dody Goodman is a smash as the principal's
assistant. These are the kinds of performances you remember actors by, and each and every
person who graces the screen, whether it be for a mere five minutes or the movie's entire,
makes a lasting impression.
The look of the movie is nothing short of appealing, placing us in a place and time where
American youth were beginning to lose that "Pleasantville" innocence and explore new venues.
That, combined with the lively, upbeat music and the incredible cast, make "Grease" not only
one of the most successful Hollywood musicals of all time, but one of it's most memorable. It's
still the word.