Olivia Talks About John Travolta
Translation:
Why did you decide to make the film “Grease,” noting that it was your first film appearance, when you had already played other roles before?
“Well, obviously I would have liked to appear in a film with John (Travolta) after having seen him on TV and after being impressed by him in “Saturday Night Fever,” Olivia says. “I had already realized how much Johnny appeals to the public. In fact, he can’t walk down the street without being approached by dozens of “fans” of all sexes and ages.”
“Do you think “Grease” will be a big hit?”
“I hope so, but show business is always a matter of luck; everything you do is like tossing up to everyone. I saw the comedy in a London theater and I really liked the music. Naturally, I also really liked the role of Sandy, my role in the film.”
“It’s very interesting because she has two sides to her: the good-natured girl and the apparently not-so-good girl.”
“I’m very happy to have made this film. I had a lot of fun shooting it. Working with Johnny is wonderful; he has a great sense of humor”. When we were shooting the romantic beach scenes and he was in front of the camera, very involved in the situation, I worked with the rest of the crew, and with the director, of course, and I entered the field playing the femme fatale character when what was needed was the good girl role.”
“Johnny continued playing his role as rehearsed, and when the command “Cut!” came, John turned to me and said that he thought I had been wrong, but that he was willing to admit that he was the one who had been wrong. Then, without anyone saying anything, very seriously, he stood before the camera again and looking at us all said: “Don’t worry, now I’ll do it well.”
Would you dare to predict that John Travolta will do more things in the future as a singer and dancer?
“After seeing his way of working I know it’s inevitable. He’s really good and has a great sense of rhythm both singing and dancing. Yes, he will do many more things as a singer and dancer although without forgetting that he is fundamentally an actor.”
Will you take a new direction in your career after making “Grease”?
“Well, I don’t know,” says Olivia. “Singing has been my entire career up until now, and I sing much better now than before.”
“Acting, that is, appearing as an actress in a film, is, for me at least, nothing more than, so to speak, an extension of singing. Let me explain, reciting a role in a film is like singing, but without the music. Besides, you have to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.”
“Why did you play the role of “Strawberry Fields” in the film “Seargent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”?
“I really don’t know why I made this film. I think I shouldn’t have made it,” says Olivia. “Do you regret having made it?” “No. I never regret anything,” says Olivia. “And besides,” she murmurs, “don’t tell anyone, but I still haven’t seen the film.”
(Editor’s note- I think they mean the movie Toomorrow. Olivia did not appear in the movie “Seargent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, although she was initially considered the role of “Strawberry Fields” )
Do you see yourself like one of the girls in “Grease”?
“My childhood was, most likely, a little different from those girls’… and also slightly different from the childhoods of girls today. I grew up in a coffee shop, far away in Melbourne. One of my earliest memories is the joy I felt when my father gave me an LP. It’s funny that now my father has no choice but to buy my records. I don’t know, maybe it’s just nonsense, but it seems to me that my childhood and adolescence had nothing to do with what is portrayed in the film.”
Do you think success brings happiness?
“Not in an absolute way, but I do believe that success helps a person achieve their goals.”
Has having a lot of money helped you be happier? -
“Yes”, she replies, “because I’ve realized that money is a not everything. There are things much more important than money, for example, I’ve come to realize that the most important thing in the world is to have friends.”
Now that you’re approaching a dangerous age, have you thought about getting married?
“I suppose I I would like to get married, but for the moment I feel very happy in my current situation. Eventually I would love to have two boys. I live on my mini ranch and many of my friends from England now live in California, very close to my house. My sister Rhona has moved to the United States and my parents live perfectly happy in Australia. We visit them quite often. This may not answer the question of whether I plan on getting married, but it does explain my current life”.
“Oh! I still have the same boyfriend I had five years ago”, adds Olivia; “it’s my manager, Lee Kramer”.
Have you considered that through everyday conversation you might acquire an American accent?
“When they wrote the script for “Grease” they adapted it to my Australian accent, saying that the character was Australian, and that justified my accent. If one day there is some reason for me to lose my accent and acquire an American one, it is possible that I will do it. But for now, I don’t think there’s any reason to lose my Australian accent.”
Where were you actually born?
“I was born in England, but my family moved to Australia when my sister and I were very young. I grew up and was educated in Australia, which is where my accent comes from. But I have a British passport. I originally wanted an Australian passport, but my mom stopped me, telling me that one day I’d be grateful to have a British passport because with it I’d be able to travel the world more easily… and time has proven my mom right”.
By John Howard
Photo caption: Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in a scene from the film "Grease." The actress considers her co-star to be a charming person, always willing to play pranks on his friends.