Translation:
Her name is Olivia Newton John. Livvie to her Australian friends. Completely unknown to most of us until she reached number one in every chart in this country with a rollicking duet featuring John Travolta. You listen, and then you see her picture. There's no shock of recognition. How does that sweet, blushing Martine Bijl-type have a voice you'd sooner expect from Willeke van Ammelrooy or Brigitte Bardot?
The film in which she’s definitely going to conquer us is called “Grease.” A film that, of course, featured John Travolta, the flashy, slightly vulgar face from Saturday Night Feet. But dancing John needed a singing counterpart, and that turned out to be sweet, blonde, good, and so on, Olivia Newton John.
Following the tried-and-true recipe of the show world, a LP was made of song and music from the film. And it reached our audiences much sooner than the film itself. From the LP, a single was created, which rocketed to number one. And not because of John Travolta. But because of that elegant, colorful voice of the almost unknown Olivia.
Just look at her voice again. The very serene face of the neighbor’s daughter. But as soon as she opens her mouth, all the neighbors close the door and keep their husbands and sons inside. Her voice is heartfelt, sexy, seductive. Mirrors of the soul, actually. We rarely judge people by their voice. And Olivia teaches us that something like that could be quite wise, because eyes and voice are mirrors of the soul. There are many men who fall in love with the voice of a telephone operator at some company. They arrange a date over the phone, only to be completely turned off when they see the girl.
They might well agree that they’re missing the opportunity of a lifetime. Because behind a sweet voice all too often lies a very sweet character, and that’s more important than a gorgeous face. Sometimes, of course, they go hand in hand.
Look at Martine Bijl, and you can already guess which voice belongs there. Well, that’s exactly Martine’s. But imagine her opening her shapely mouth and hearing Blondie’s voice… But Martine is an exception in so many ways: a truly wonderful personality. Her appearance, her voice, and her demeanor are in perfect harmony.
Ko van Dijk was one of those people. He could only talk —20— as he looked and lived. We still often play the tapes containing his unforgettable radio conversations with Tony van Verre. An actor on stage, an actor in everyday life. An actor who sometimes forgot his lines and then started to blurt them out? On stage and in life…
And Olivia Newton-John is exactly like that. To see a girl you only want to sing sweet, lovely songs. But beware when she opens her mouth and sings that you’re the only one she desires. Dear woman, what a sound! What fire, what temperament! Not for a middle-aged man looking for a young blonde fairy to carry his slippers. But completely made for a figure like Mr Travolta, incredibly strong, a tireless dancer, and used to bending everything and everyone to his will. That man!…
Our Hollywood correspondent says: “When John was shown pictures of Olivia, he said: no, I’m not making a movie with that woman”. When he was played a few records, he enthusiastically said: even if she was as ugly as hell, this is the part I’m looking for in this film. The woman and the part turned out to be the same: beautiful to look at, exciting to hear.
Do you have any idea what the LUV girls are really like?”
Editorial Story