GREASE

Welcome back everyone or just welcome if you are new here! For this entry I am going to share some fun facts about the movie MUSICAL “GREASE” [1978]. Let’s hop right on in!

Did you know that another famous leather jacket wearing icon almost became “DANNY”?

HENRY WINKLER, who became a sensation as “FONZIE” [“THE FONZ”!] on “HAPPY DAYS” [1974-1984], was considered for the role of “DANNY ZUKO”. He turned down the role for fear of being typecast. Besides, WINKLER has readily confessed to being unable to sing, a talent that would have been essential for playing the role of “DANNY”.

During an appearance on “THE RACHAEL RAY SHOW” [2006-2023] in 2019, the ACTOR called it “one of the great decisions” of his life because JOHN TRAVOLTA “deserved” the role and ended up being so right for it. Grease CO-STAR DIDI CONN ended up starring along side WINKLER in the ANIMATED series “THE FONZ AND THE HAPPY DAYS GANG” [1980-1981]. [She also had a guest appearance in an episode of “HAPPY DAYS”.]

[TRAVOLTA as “DANNY”]

[WINKLER as “FONZIE”]

[CONN]

[CONN as “FRENCHY” or “FRENCHIE” depending on who you ask.]

[An image of CONN and WINKLER’S characters and the rest of the main cast of the ANIMATED series.]

Do you know how the CREATORS of “GREASE” first met?

According to VANITY FAIR, “GREASE” was WRITTEN by JIM JACOBS, an ADVERTISING COPYWRITER, and WARREN CASEY [April 20, 1935 – NOV. 8, 1988], a HIGH SCHOOL ART TEACHER, who met through an amateur THEATER GROUP in CHICAGO in the SIXTIES. The two bonded over their love of DOO-WOOP songs from the previous decade and wrote a play about HIGH SCHOOL kids from that era. “GREASE” premiered in CHICAGO in 1971, and made its way to NEW YORK CITY a year later. When its film rights became available, it was purchased by ALAN CARR [MAY 27, 1937 – JUNE 29, 1999], who PRODUCED the film.

[CASEY]

[JACOBS]

[CARR]

Did you know that “GREASE” beat “SUPERMAN” at the box office?

In 1978, the movie “GREASE” quickly soared to the top of the box office. The hit MUSICAL broke records and went on to become an international sensation. Audiences couldn’t stop talking about the movie, the catchy songs and its cheerful story.

At the box office, “GREASE” crushed “NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE”, “JAWS 2” and “HALLOWEEN”. But there was one movie that “GREASE” beat that surprised many people — “SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE”. That year, the superhero movie earned $134 million, while “GREASE” far surpassed that with $160 million.

[CHRISTOPHER REEVE - SEP. 25, 1952 – OCT. 10, 2004 - as “SUPERMAN”]

Did you know that “GREASE” broke some major box office records?

Despite the grumbling from some critics, it’s easy to see that “GREASE” was a roaring success that crushed its competition [even a famous superhero movie]. The film reigned as the highest-grossing live-action musical until “LES MISÉRABLES” took the top spot in 2012.

According to “FORBES”, “GREASE” was also the U.S. victor for a long time, but “DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” eclipsed it in 2017. However, when the company adjusted the rankings based on inflated domestic ticket prices, it showed that “GREASE” was still No. 1. “GREASE” would remain No. 1 until “WICKED” took over the world in 2024!

Do you know why “RIZZO” and “KENICKIE” were arguing with each other in the milkshake scene?

Remember that strawberry milkshake scene? “RIZZO” [STOCKARD CHANNING], “FRENCHY” and “KENICKIE” [JEFF CONAWAY - OCT. 5, 1950 – MAY 27, 2011] are sitting in the diner, and “RIZZO” and “KENICKIE” get into an intense argument. In the end, “RIZZO” yells, “Finish this!,” and throws the milkshake at his face, leaving “KENICKIE” covered in pink slush. However, what led to this dispute? According to reports, an extra scene explained why the two got into a heated argument, but THE PRODUCERS thought the scene was too dark and heavy. As a result, they cut it from the film.

Did you know about the changes that were made to “SANDY’S” character?

When DAME OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN [SEPT. 26 1948 – AUG. 8 2022] was cast as “SANDY”, her character's background had to be changed to accommodate NEWTON-JOHN’S background. In the original BROADWAY MUSICAL, “SANDY” was an ALL-AMERICAN girl and her last name was “DUMBROWSKI”. In the movie version, she became “SANDY OLSSON” from AUSTRALIA. JOHN FARRAR, NEWTON-JOHN’S frequent SONGWRITER, wrote two new songs for this movie while other songs from the BROADWAY MUSICAL were dropped. In the T.V. movie/special “GREASE: LIVE!” [2016], “SANDY’S” [JULIANNE HOUGH] last name was changed again. This time it was changed to “YOUNG”.

[NEWTON-JOHN as both “GOOD SANDY” -left - and “BAD SANDY” - right.]

[HOUGH as “SANDY” in “GREASE: LIVE!”.]

Did you know that the car, “GREASED LIGHTNING”, was originally going to be a different color?

We all know and love the flashy HOT ROD, the iconic symbolism of teenage rivalry and trying to win over the one you love - but “GREASED LIGHTNING” [Or “GREASED LIGHTNIN’” depending on which version of the title that you prefer to call it by.] is so much more than a car, it’s imprinted on the minds of everyone who has ever watched “GREASE”, it manages to be camp, cool, bizarre and endearing all at the same time…but did you know it was almost a different color? In the original script, the car was supposed to be blue. However, when it came time to shoot the film, DIRECTOR RANDAL KLEISER thought that blue would blend in too much with the sky, so he opted for a vibrant red instead, and boy did that choice rev up the excitement!

[“DANNY” and “THE T-BIRDS” singing and dancing to “GREASED LIGHTNING”.]

Do you know who else could have sung “GREASED LIGHTNING”?

THE BEACH BOYS were originally intended to sing “GREASED LIGHTNING” in the movie, not JOHN TRAVOLTA. The legendary SURF ROCK GROUP was THE DIRECTOR’S first choice, but their cameo plans did not work out.

[THE BEACH BOYS]

Did you know that someone else was supposed to sing that song?

Even if THE BEACH BOYS didn't sing “GREASED LIGHTNING” Someone else still could have. It was originally meant to be “KENICKIES” song, just like in the stage musical. But TRAVOLTA wanted the song for himself and his character, “DANNY”. “I have to be completely honest with you," TRAVOLTA told VANITY FAIR in 2016. “I wanted the number. And because I had clout, I could get the number.”

[“KENICKIE” and “DANNY”]

Did you know that one song was added at the very last-minute?

Imagine “GREASE” without “SANDY’S” heart-wrenching ballad. It almost didn't make it into the film, and that's a fact that's not so electrifying. Legend has it that DAME OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN’S contract stipulated that she should have one solo performance in the movie. When it was discovered that the script didn't include a solo, the PRODUCERS had to act swiftly. The result? The unforgettable “HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU”, a song so instantly, and universally resonant that it earned NEWTON-JOHN an OSCAR NOMINATION. WRITER and PRODUCER JOHN FARRAR went to great lengths to create this masterpiece, spending an extensive amount of time crafting its lyrics. He combed through every thesaurus and rhyming dictionary in sight, determined to pen the perfect words that would resonate with audiences. The result is a song that stands as one of the most beautiful and emotionally powerful in the entire “GREASE SOUNDTRACK”.

Did you know about the ELVIS connection?

In an eerie coincidence, one of the last scenes filmed for the movie was the scene where “RIZZO” and “THE PINK LADIES” sing “LOOK AT ME, I”M SANDRA DEE” in “RIZZO’S” bedroom during the sleepover. In the scene, CHANNING sings a verse about ELVIS PRESLEY [born JANUARY 8, 1935] and looks lovingly at an ELVIS photo on her wall as she shouts “ELVIS, ELVIS let me be. Keep that pelvis far from me,”. As it turns out, ELVIS actually died on the exact same day this scene was filmed, AUGUST 16, 1977. ELVIS was actually offered the role of “THE TEEN ANGEL”, but he turned it down, and the character was played by FRANKIE AVALON instead.

[CHANNING as “RIZZO” dressed up as “SANDRA DEE” looking at a picture of ELVIS.]

[AVALON as “THE TEEN ANGEL” and his fellow “ANGELS” singing “BEAUTY SCHOOL DROPOUT” to a pink haired “FRENCHY”.]

In the stage play, which premiered on FEB. 5, 1971, at KINGSTON MINES NIGHTCLUB in CHICAGO and the first BROADWAY production opened on JUNE 7, 1972, the song “LOOK AT ME I’M SANDRA DEE” had a reference to ACTOR SAL MINEO [his full name is SALVATORE MINEO JR. and he was born on JAN. 10, 1939] , who was murdered in [FEB. 12,] 1976. For the movie, the lyric was changed to reference ELVIS out of respect for MINEO. Of course the change was made before PRESLEY’S death, which was purely coincidental.

[MINEO]

[A scene from the original NEW YORK production of “GREASE”.]

Do you know busy TRAVOLTA was during the time that this film was made?

TRAVOLTA started rehearsals just four days after completing filming for “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER” [1977]. Having two mega-hit movies in a row made it difficult to return to honor his contract for “WELCOME BACK KOTTER” [SEPT. 9, 1975, - JUNE 8, 1979], but he fulfilled his contract, albeit with a reduced presence, and eventually left the show to pursue a movie career full-time. This movie was cast before TRAVOLTA signed on to do “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”.

“GREASE” also helped TRAVOLTA learn to cope with his grief. Filming provided a necessary and healthy distraction for TRAVOLTA after his GIRLFRIEND, ACTRESS DIANA HYLAND [born DIANE GENTNER on JAN. 25, 1936], passed away from cancer on MARCH 27 1977, allowing him to channel his sadness into a high-energy, joyful performance.

[HYLAND]

Do you know what KLEISER really thinks about the films two most iconic songs?

KLEISER hated the opening song, “GREASE” [PERFORMED by FRANKIE VALLI]. He felt the lyrics were too dark and cynical for the light, fun movie he was making. SIR BARRY GIBB [who wrote the song] and THE BEE GEES were riding high on the success of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. KLEISER, a young upstart DIRECTOR at that time, felt he had no clout to ask for changes. He also hated “YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT,” saying it “sounded awful.”

[KLEISER]

On a side note, The high notes at the end of “SUMMER NIGHTS” were outside TRAVOLTA’S vocal range; they were later overdubbed by GIBB in his famous falsetto.

[GIBB]

The final musical scenes, “YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT” and “WE GO TOGETHER, was filmed with the help of a traveling CARNIVAL. KLEISER decided the next day that additional shots were needed for close-ups. THE CARNIVAL had left town at that point, so SET DECORATORS were called in to build replica backgrounds that matched the CARNIVAL rides' construction for the close-ups.

[The main CAST at the CARNIVAL!]

Did you know that a more recent T.V. broadcast airing caused some backlash from viewers?

After THE BBC aired the movie in Dec. 2020, viewers complained on social media that the film promoted misogyny, racism and homophobia, according to BRITAIN’S THE TIMES. Soon after, NEWTON-JOHN said during an interview on the AUSTRALIAN PODCAST “A LIFE OF GREATNESS” that those who criticize “GREASE” and say it is sexist and lacking in diversity need to “relax a little bit” and called those comments “kind of silly.” She added, “The movie was made in the '70s about the '50s. It's a fun MOVIE MUSICAL and not to be taken so seriously. I think everyone is taking everything so seriously. We need to relax a little bit and just enjoy things for what they are.” NEWTON-JOHN went on to say she doesn't view “GREASE” in the way her critics do, and that “It's just a fun movie that entertains people. That's all.”

Did you know that we could’ve had more “GREASE” movies?

After the success of the first movie - it was the top-grossing musical in the U.S. at the time - this movie was supposed to have three sequels. However, after “GREASE 2” (1982) bombed at the box-office, those plans were cancelled. In 2002, CONN, NEWTON-JOHN, and TRAVOLTA were all pushing to have a “GREASE 3” produced, which would focus on the original CAST and characters many years later, in another decade, like the 1970’S or the 1990’S, but this movie never got beyond the planning stages.

“KENICKIE’S” CAR [“GREASED LIGHTNING”] is a 1948 FORD DELUXE CONVERTIBLE. “THE SCORPION’S” CAR is a 1949 MERCURY CUSTOM. Briefly seen is “THE PINK LADIES’” 1948 STUDEBAKER COMMANDER REGAL [with “suicide doors”]. The CAR “DANNY” takes to the drive-in [the “SIN WAGON”] is a 1949 DODGE WAYFARER. The 1948 FORD DELUXE is the same model that “MR. MIYAGI” [NORIYUKI “PAT” MORITA - JUNE 28, 1932 – NOV. 24, 2005] given to “DANIEL LaRUSSO” [RALPH MACCHIO] for his BIRTHDAY in “THE KARATE KID” [1984].

[“THE T-BIRDS’ GREASED LIGHTNING”]

[“GREASED LIGHTNING” - the dream sequence version.]

[“THE SCORPION’S HELL’S CHARIOT”]

[“THE PINK LADIES’ COMMANDER REGAL” - I don’t know if they actually gave this car a name like the other ones.]

[“DANNY’S SIN WAGON”]

[The “GREASED LIGHTNING” at the end of the movie!]

[There’s a DELUXE behind “DANIEL” and “MR. MIYAGI” in a scene from “THE KARATE KID”.]

Did you know that DAME OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN donated one of the outfits she wore in the movie to an AUCTION where the money went to CANCER RESEARCH?

In 2019, NEWTON-JOHN auctioned the leather jacket and pants she wore in the film’s finale for $405,700, for the benefit of her CANCER RESEARCH CHARITY, THE OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN CANCER WELLNESS & RESEARCH CENTRE. SPANX FOUNDER SARA BLAKELY bought the pants. The anonymous winning bidder of the leather jacket, which sold for $243,200, later returned it to OLIVIA.

NEWTON-JOHN also FOUNDED THE OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE [ONJCRI].

Due to a zipper breaking, NEWTON-JOHN had to be sewn into the trousers she wears in the last sequence [the CARNIVAL at “RYDELL HIGH”].

[Here’s the outfit in we are talking about!]

Here are some quick little fun facts for you guys:

NEWTON-JOHN requested to have a screen test before she accepted the role of “SANDY OLSSON”. KLEISER agreed and they shot the “drive-in movie” scene with “DANNY” and “SANDY” as a trial. NEWTON-JOHN was pleased and went on with filming.

[“SANDY” and “DANNY” at the DRIVE-IN.]

TRAVOLTA argued with KLEISER over the end of the song “SANDY”. He wanted a close-up of himself instead of the shot of a cartoon hot dog diving into a bun. KLEISER got his way.

[Here’s some over-the-top FREUDIAN Symbolism for ya!]

The scene near the bridge after the car race was filmed in an area full of trash, and the water on the ground was stagnant and dangerous. Some cast members became ill from filming.

[A couple of shots of “THE SCORPIONS” [top] and “THE T-BIRDS” [bottom] at “THUNDER ROAD.]

The school dance took two weeks to film, and temperatures topped 100 degrees in the windowless gym. A couple extras even came down with heat-related illnesses. And ACTOR MICHAEL TUCCI, who played “T-BIRD” “SONNY LaTIERRI”, fainted and had to be taken to the E.R.

[TUCCI]

Here’s the entire musical number for you to enjoy! -

SHA NA NA - “BORN TO HAND JIVE”

Did you know that the boys were not originally called “THE T-BIRDS”?

In the original OFF BROADWAY MUSICAL by JACOBS and CASEY, “THE T-BIRDS” are called “THE BURGER PALACE BOYS”. This name was inspired by their favorite hangout spot and referenced a much tougher, rougher gang.

When the story was adapted for the 1978 movie starring TRAVOLTA and NEWTON-JOHN, the name was simplified to “THE T-BIRDS” to make the group more universally recognizable and associated with classic 50s car culture.

Following the massive popularity of the movie, most modern stage productions (including recent WEST END and touring revivals) use the “T-BIRDS” name.

[“THE T-BIRDS” and “THE PINK LADIES” get together!]

During the “THUNDER ROAD” scene, ANNETTE CHARLES [born ANNETTE CARDONA MAR 5, 1948 – AUG. 3, 2011] was in excruciating pain from what turned out to be an ECTOPIC PREGNANCY. That's why her character “CHA CHA” frequently leans against cars throughout the scene.

[Here’s that same image from up above and sure enough “CHA CHA” is leaning on a car!]

While shooting the “GREASED LIGHTNING” musical number, CONAWAY was accidentally dropped, hurting his back. CONAWAY started taking pain killers, eventually abusing prescription drugs, and spiralling into drug addiction until he died in 2011 at the age of sixty.

[CONAWAY]

The cast had a sock hop on the first day of rehearsal to learn dance moves and get to know each other.

[A sock hop is not really a party without some music!]

THE CAST chewed about one hundred thousand pieces of bubble gum during the shoot, up to five thousand pieces a day.

“RIZZO’S” hickeys were real. CHANNING said in an interview that CONAWAY insisted on applying them himself.

CONAWAY was so infatuated with NEWTON-JOHN he was tongue-tied whenever she was around. He later married OLIVIA’S SISTER, RONA NEWTON-JOHN [FEB. 1, 1941 - MAY 24, 2013].

[RONA NEWTON-JOHN in an interview.]

Most of the principal cast were well past their high school years. When filming began in JUNE 1977, STOCKARD CHANNING was thirty-three (in 1958, the year the film is set, Channing was in fact only three years younger than the age she is playing here), MICHAEL TUCCI was thirty-one, JAMIE DONNELLY [“JAN”] was thirty, ANNETTE CHARLES was twenty-nine, DAME OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN was twenty-eight, BARRY PEARL [“DOODY”] was twenty-seven, JEFF CONAWAY was twenty-six, DIDI CONN was twenty-five, JOHN TRAVOLTA was twenty-three, DINAH MANOFF [“MARTY”] was twenty-one, KELLY WARD [“PUTZIE”] and EDDIE DEEZEN [EUGENE] were twenty, and LORENZO LAMAS [“TOM CHISUM”, the JOCK that “SANDY” briefly dates in the first half of the movie.] was nineteen.

CONN is the only actress in the cast to appear in all three “GREASE” films: this movie, “GREASE 2”, reprising her role as “FRENCHIE”, and “GREASE: LIVE!” as the HEAD WAITRESS of “THE FROSTY PALACE” named “VI”.

[CONN with SINGER CARLY RAE JEPSEN as “FRENCHY” in “GREASE: LIVE!”.]

[Here’s a better look at JEPSEN.]

PEARL also appeared in “GREASE: LIVE!” as “MR. WEAVER”, a PRODUCER OF “NATIONAL BANDSTAND”.

[PEARL]

DONNELLY had prematurely grey hair, which she dyed black to play “JAN”. Her hair grew really quickly, so her roots had to be colored in daily with a black crayon.

[DONNELLY in 1976.]

[DONNELLY as “JAN” in “GREASE” in 1978.]

[DONNELLY today!]

TRAVOLTA insisted that he have “blue black hair like ELVIS PRESLEY and ROCK HUDSON in the movies” because “it's surreal and it's very 1950’S.”

[There’s ELVIS and the famous hairstyle that TRAVOLTA is talking about.]

This movie was re-released in theaters in 1998 to mark its 20TH ANNIVERSARY. A dance mix of songs from the SOUNDTRACK became a big hit on the radio.

It was also re-released onto VHS!

[It also included some neat extras!]

Did you know that “SANDY” was not supposed to be part of the “HAND JIVE” musical number?

Originally, “SANDY” was not supposed to participate in the dance contest at all. She was supposed to be sidetracked and subdued by “SONNY” before the contest even started, allowing “CHA CHA” to jump in and take her place and win the contest. But NEWTON-JOHN was anxious to do some dancing in the movie, even though she was not a professionally trained dancer like TRAVOLTA. So she convinced KLEISER to let her dance with “DANNY” in the contest for a few minutes, and then let “SONNY” jump in and subdue her a few minutes later.

Do you know about feud between THE CREATORS and THE FILMMAKERS?

[I had some help from an AI OVERVIEW with researching this bit so i’d like to say i’m sorry to everyone who hates AI.]

JIM JACOBS and WARREN CASEY, THE CREATORS of the original stage musical [1971], were not banned from the 1978 movie like some people would believe. Instead, they were simply never invited on set during production. The studio and producers chose to exclude the writers to maintain full creative control over the film adaptation.

The creative direction for the movie was handled entirely by PRODUCER ALLAN CARR and DIRECTOR RANDAL KLEISER, who wanted to re-imagine the story for a broader, sunnier, HOLLYWOOD audience.

THE ORIGINAL VIBE:

JACOBS’ and CASEY”S original STAGE PRODUCTION was a gritty, raunchy, and sometimes vulgar look at working-class 1950s teenagers in NORTHWEST CHICAGO, laced with gang violence and edgier themes.

THE HOLLYWOOD SHIFT:

The filmmakers sanitized much of this tone, relocating the setting to sunny SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA and turning the material into a perky, mainstream, family-friendly musical.

HOW THEY GOT SOME INPUT:

Because TRAVOLTA had previously starred in the touring stage version of “GREASE” as “DOODY”, he would occasionally quote lines from the original play on set when he felt the new movie dialogue wasn't working. KLEISER often agreed and used THE CREATOR’S original lines instead. THE CREATORS did have an active involvement later in licensing and protecting their work, including a notorious trademark dispute involving modern parodies of their hit show.

[Here’s an ad from the original CHICAGO show!]

In 1997, KLEISER called SHERRY LANSING, then HEAD OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES, and insisted that this movie had to come back again for its 20TH ANNIVERSARY. LANSING informed KLEISER that GEORGE LUCAS had called her a few days earlier and said that out of all of the movies in THE PARAMOUNT PICTURES VAULT, this was the one that should come back. LUCAS explained that every nine-year-old he knew watched a VHS copy of this movie every day.

[LANSING]

[LUCAS]

CARRIE FISHER [OCT. 21, 1956 – DEC. 27, 2016] was considered for the role of “SANDY”. KLEISER went to THE “STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE” - or as it was simply known as at the time “STAR WARS” [1977] MIXING STAGE to visit his college roommate, LUCAS, and to see her in one of the battle scenes. KLEISER couldn't tell from the scene whether FISHER was right for the part, so he kept looking.

[FISHER as “PRINCESS LEIA”]

Another AI moment incoming!

In 1978's “GREASE”, the background props originally featured COCA-COLA signs, creating a continuity quirk. PRODUCER ALLAN CARR had actually struck an exclusive promotional deal with PEPSI, which led to the COKE posters being hastily blurred out in the original theatrical release and eventually altered to feature PEPSI imagery. The history and ongoing trivia surrounding this pop-culture collision is highly documented:

The Original Mistake:

The SET DECORATOR, EUGENE S. KELLEY, missed the PEPSI deal and placed authentic 1950s COCA-COLA signage around THE FROSTY PALACE MALT SHOP.

The Quick Fix: Furious over the product placement clash, CARR forced THE PRODUCTION TEAM to use 1978 technology to blur the COCA-COLA ads.

The Digital Restoration: For the movie's 40TH ANNIVERSARY in 2018, KLEISER finally used digital technology to seamlessly repair and alter the signs to fit the original PEPSI agreement.

Corporate Pivot: Decades later, COCA-COLA officially sponsored FOX’S 2016 television event “GREASE: LIVE”, bringing COKE cups, vending machines, and period-accurate signage right back into “THE GREASE UNIVERSE”.

[Look at the picture behind “SANDY”!]