Xanadu, Blue Lagoon Called Two Sappiest Films Of Year
Xanadu stars (left to right Michael Beck, Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John perform a dazzling dance number in an outrageous boutique.)
And then there is “Xanadu” which features blonde and tanned Olivia Newton-John as the muse Kira, supposedly a daughter of Zeus. One time, however, she refers to herself as Terpsichore. I do not think she is ever quite sure who she is.
Her costumes look as if they came from “Fiorucci’s” in LA where they sell the best of second hand clothes. She usually wears a kind of baggy shepherdess dress, split up the side, leg warmers and roller skates or dancing shoes.
Most of the time she is fleeing from untalented, unattractive Michael Beck. But no, you must “not touch Lady Muse”.
Beck is a commercial artist who illustrates record jackets. Kira has come to skate, and sing and charm and tease Beck.
She will also open the night club “Xanadu”, which Beck is partnering with Gene Kelly, a rich retiree. Then Kira will go back to the heavens. Never to return. I hope.
Gene Kelly, looking lately exhumed and repainted by Way Bandy, decided the best way to get through such a mess is to smile. And he does. And he does again.
“Xanadu” does boast a couple of good songs - the current hit “Magic” words and music by John Farrar, and “Xanadu” words and music by Jeff Lynne.
Still I feel sure the Gods will be angry with them.
By Cliff Warren, Special To The Sun
More from the Xanadu movie.