Grease (1978)

 

Grease - 1978

Our next film is 1978's musical hit "Grease", about the hectic and turbulent time in a bunch of people's lives known as high school.  Get ready to sing along to some mega-hit songs as we head to Rydell High. 

The film's cast includes John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Didi Conn, Dinah Manoff, Eve Arden, Sid Caesar, Frankie Avalon, Edd Byrnes, Alice Ghostley, Dody Goodman, Lorenzo Lamas, Fannie Flagg, Ellen Travolta, Joan Blondell, Susan Buckner, Michael Tucci, and Jamie Donnelly.

Danny and Sandy think they are at the end of a summer romance.  Little do they know what life has in store as they say goodbye.

Unknowingly, Danny and Sandy both attend the same school (Rydell High), and tell their friends about the amazing "Summer Nights" they spent with each other.  "Tell me more, tell me more".

Later when they do meet up, Danny wants to look cool in front of his friends, and he basically blows Sandy off, which breaks her heart.

Sandy's newfound "friends" make fun of her by singing "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee", while she is in the bathroom.

Sandy slips outside and, still pining for Danny, sings "Hopelessly Devoted To You".

Meanwhile, Danny and his friends dream up the perfect car by singing "Greased Lightning".

Danny and Sandy eventually mend things after Danny decides to try and win Sandy back.

Elsewhere, Sandy's friend Frenchy is looking for some direction in life.  She gets a surprise visit from a "Teen Angel" who sings "Beauty School Dropout".

A televised school dance provides our characters with the chance to strut their stuff as they whirl around the dance floor.  Sandy is very nervous about appearing on camera.  The principal of the school and the athletic coach struggle to keep the students in check.

When it's time to "Hand Jive", Danny and Sandy lead the competition as they show everybody the moves they've got.

Sandy gets upset and leaves the dance in a huff when someone steals Danny away from her and he does nothing to stop it.  The principal is a little concerned when she sees the risque moves exhibited on the dance floor.

Without Sandy, Danny finds himself "Stranded At The Drive-In".  Oh, "what will they say Monday at school?"

Sandy still finds her heart belongs to Danny.  When he participates in a car race, Sandy watches from a distance. She decides to take him back, but on her own terms.  She asks her friend Frenchy to help her.

Sandy surprises Danny with a new look at the school's graduation carnival.  He's got chills and they're multiplyin'.  It's electrifying!

Danny and Sandy get back together for good.  The gang wants to know what'll happen after graduation, and Danny assures them, "We'll Always Be Together."

Cast rundown:

   John Travolta................................Danny Zucco

   Olivia Newton-John........................Sandy Olsson

   Stockard Channing........................Betty Rizzo

   Jeff Conaway.................................Kenickie

   Didi Conn......................................Frenchy

   Dinah Manoff.................................Marty Maraschino

   Eve Arden.....................................Principal McGee

   Sid Caesar.....................................Coach Calhoun

   Frankie Avalon...............................Teen Angel

   Edd Byrnes....................................Vince Fontaine

   Alice Ghostley................................Mrs. Murdock

   Dody Goodman..............................Blanche

   Lorenzo Lamas...............................Tom Chisum

   Fannie Flagg..................................Nurse Wilkins

   Ellen Travolta.................................Waitress

   Joan Blondell..................................Vi

   Susan Buckner................................Patty Simcox

   Michael Tucci..................................Sonny

   Jamie Donnelly...............................Jan

And that's it for Grease.  I think it's hilarious that most of the cast were in their late twenties and early thirties while portraying high school students.  The final song of the film "We Go Together" was shot in one afternoon.  The dance sequence was filmed at a school gymnasium during the summer hours.  Because of lighting issues, the doors to the un-air conditioned building had to remain closed creating a stiflingly hot environment.  Several cast members had to be taken out of the room because of heat related illnesses.

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