The fifties, in reality, might not have been as fun and fantasy-filled as they seem now, looking back with hindsight! But shows like Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, American Graffiti and now Grease, are idealizing the decade like there was no tomorrow! Maybe it was because the country was just out of a devastating and depressing era (WWII and the Depression) that suddenly a need for release, rest and relaxation developed.
Though there was a “cold war” threatening world peace, the country was getting back on its feet and enjoying the rewards of victory. Grease recalls all the joy as John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John revitalize and rejuvenate the times and get your juices flowing as they revive the musical comedy film á la Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! The zesty dance routines, the nostalgic sight of good old-fashioned romance all come to life right before your very eyes. Suddenly. it’s the fabulous fifties once again.
Production designer Phil Jeffries describes Grease as being “almost like a cartooning of the period.”
Would you believe, to capture the 50’s feeling the crew used some very unusual props like 100,000 pieces of bubble gum chewed on-screen over the course of the summer. More than 264 tires were used in the “Greased Lightning Fantasy” number! In Italy, the film will be called “Brilliantino!” and “Vaselina” is its title in Mexico! Funny-it’s just like the Vaseline & Brilliantine brands used in the States to slick down those daring DAs!
The slick film version shines so because of its super stars & superstars! John and Olivia sock it to you with their sock hop numbers. They’re so “cool” in their hep roles as Danny, the tough stud and Ms. Goody Two-Shoes, Sandy.
John and Olivia recreate and recharge all the raw energy of a souped-up T-bird, symbol of the 50s the ultimate!