Olivia vows them at Grease Ball
by Christine Richter and Molly Meldrum
BOBBY SOX, sneakers, flared skirts and slicked-down hair were the order of the night when TV stars and celebrities turned out for the Sydney launching of the movie Grease. With the star of the film, Australia’s own Olivia Newton-John, in town for the premiere, fans went wild.
More than 5000 people gathered outside the theatre from early afternoon to welcome her in true Hollywood style. Searchlights scanned the street, flashlights popped, cameras clicked, a cheer squad was on hand and police were in force. Local TV stars and celebrities entered the spirit of things by electing to wear their best ’50s gear. Some were almost unrecognisable in high school outfits, tights, lurex jackets and greased hair.
Among the first celebrities to arrive were Seven Network stars Jeanne Little and Norman Gunston, who received a roar from the crowd. Stars of The Restless Years, Zoe Bertram, Graham Thorburn, Victoria Nicolls, Michael Smith, Nick Hedstrom, Sue Smithers and Julieanne Newbould were there. Girls screamed and the crowd surged forward as good-looking Sonny Blake tried to make his way into the theatre. Anxious fans had waited several hours to catch a glimpse of their idols outside the theatre. By the time the real star of the show was due to arrive, the crowd had reached fever pitch. Police and security men stood against the barricades as Olivia arrived, but the 29-year-old blonde singer was jostled as crowds swarmed in to get a closer look.
After the film, guests were transported to the Paddington Town Hall for the Grease Ball where Chiko rolls, hot dogs and soft drinks were available. A thousand fans danced the night away to ’50s-style music in the Grand Ballroom decorated with streamers and hundreds of different colored balloons. Meanwhile, Olivia mingled with local radio and TV people in a function room off the dance area.
Other celebrities included TV WEEK columnist Ian “Molly” Meldrum, Normie Rowe, Queen Of Pop Marcia Hines, Donnie Sutherland, George Negus, Alan Lancaster of Status Quo, and Sherbet.
Grease Review by Molly Meldrum
LAST WEEK the much-publicised, much-talked about film of the 50s Grease, starring our own Olivia Newton-John and superstar John Travolta burst onto the Oz screen. To mark the occasion the film distributors and radio stations 2SM in Sydney and 3XY in Melbourne threw lavish receptions.
Olivia flew in from Hawaii to attend the Sydney premiere, and although utterly exhausted from the trip she delighted the hundreds of people who crammed the footpaths outside the cinema in George Street to catch a glimpse of the celebrities arriving. What a sight it was 2SM had a cocktail party beforehand to which all the personalities were invited. After that they were driven over the Harbor Bridge to the cinema in assorted hot rods and FJ Holdens. Never before have I seen so much Brylcream and Californian Poppy on so many heads in one place. Norman Gunston looked about the only person not out of place, although he did say that he’d given his wispy hair an extra coat for the night.
Tony and Harvey from Sherbet, who arrived back in the country a couple of days before, looked amazing in their 50s gear, and were hardly in fact recognisable. So much so that hardly anyone outside the cinema recognised them. Johnny Cougar who’d flown in from England for a short promotional trip caused excitement when he stopped outside the cinema to sign autographs. Believe me there was no need for lovers that night because teenage girls were literally throwing themselves on the pavement in front of him.
Because Olivia was unable to attend the Melbourne premiere or in fact fly down to her former home city she flew many of her friends to Sydney for the night, including John Farrar’s mother, who, when Olivia lived in Melbourne, was like a second mum. Perhaps she was the proudest person there because, apart from the success of Olivia, her son John wrote two of the hit songs from Grease. You’re The One That I Want and Hopelessly Devoted To You, as well as arranging and producing most of the album.
And now the big question: What was the film like? Personally, I don’t think it matches up to Saturday Night Fever, although both John and Olivia’s performances are solid, the whole film lacks depth to the point of being disjointed. There is some stunning choreography, but all in all I think producer Alan Carr should stick to Broadway. It will no doubt be a big box office draw in this country and because it is inoffensive will prove to be good light entertainment.
It’s odd when you think that the most outstanding songs in the musical are the ones that were specially written for the film and have very little to do with the original score. In fact if it wasn’t for Farrar’s and Barry Gibb’s songs the film could have fallen into a heap. Perhaps I’m crazy criticising a film that recouped its investment in 60 hours in America… in fact, when I think of it I AM crazy. The party afterwards was at the Paddington Town Hall and was a real rock ‘n’ roll rort. I felt sorry for Olivia who tried desperately to keep everyone happy considering her tiredness. But the one of many things that shine out in Olivia is that she’s a true lady of the rock scene and has somehow retained her niceness throughout the years of becoming a superstar. She’s one Australian artist of which we can be really and truly proud.