Hopelessly Devoted To You Was a Last-Minute Soundtrack Addition He felt he’d be typecasting himself into a 1950s cage.Ĥ. But alas, that’s precisely why superstar Henry Winkler turned down the role of 1950s “greaser” character Danny Zuko. After all, he was a huge TV star, playing in the 1950s nostalgia-based comedy sitcom Happy Days. He was a perfect, logical choice to imagine in the role. Henry Winkler of TV’s Happy Days Was Almost Danny Zuko But still, a fun nod to this newly-minted Australian version of Sandy. Maybe not the warmest welcome for Australian transfer student Sandy. Maybe you’ll invent the kangaroo bop.” Ouch. Example – wry Pink Lady bad girl Rizzo (played by Stockard Channing) makes a comment about Sandy and dancing, saying, “Hey, don’t worry. Even dialogue was tailored to that Australian tip. Thus, Sandy got to keep her distinct Australian accent. However, kudos to proud Aussie Olivia Newton-John who inspired the powers that be on the film to tailor the role to fit her Australian descent. Grease was based on a 1971 play of the same name, and the female lead was named Sandy Dumbrowski – a 1950s high school “chick” of Polish-American ethnicity. Character Sandy Olsson Was Originally Sandy Dumbrowski What a shame if this sizzle had never happened.Ģ. These two made an iconic, sizzling couple together on-screen. What’s more, John himself was in his early 20s. He paid a cordial visit to Olivia’s California home to persuade her to take the part, assuring her that the big ensemble cast consisted of many “non-teenagers” like herself. But enter John Travolta, the actor who would be her on-screen love interest, Danny Zuko. Legend has it that Olivia didn’t want the role. Looking back, the world is in agreement that no one else could’ve played the sweet, naïve, lovable Australian exchange student Sandy Olsson. Top spot on this list goes to Olivia Newton-John. Olivia Newton-John Was a Reluctant Sandy Olsson So, what made Grease special? Let’s peek behind the curtain of this foot-tapping, melodious flick.ġ0 Fun Facts About Grease 1. It was the most commercially successful movie-musical up until that time. All in all, Grease was Hollywood “lighting in a bottle” (in addition to that iconic hair grease). It set the bar high for what can be achieved when assembling the best music, actors, costumes, and even set design. Think poodle skirts and black leather jackets. Grease is still revered today as a “bubblegum fun” romp down Memory Lane, chock full of 1950s nostalgia and innocent love. Can these two keep their “summer nights” love alive once the school bell rings in September? Or will their peers, the Pink Ladies and T-Birds, ruin their chance for true love? A romantic comedy set at an American high school in the 1950s, it tells the story of opposites Danny (a rebellious “greaser” played by John Travolta) and Sandy (a naïve Australian transfer student played by Olivia Newton-John). And parents in their cars singing along to the film’s songs blasting out from the radio.īut Grease was a global pop culture phenomenon that long outlived the 1970s. Think Grease posters lining every schoolgirl’s bedroom walls. It’s the film that catapulted her from highly respectable singer to downright sky-high superstar. Who didn’t love Olivia?īlessed with seemingly universal appeal, she was, however, best known for Grease. A prolific singer who topped both country and pop music charts during her heyday of the 1970s and ‘80s, she was known for her sweet, soulful, wispy vocals, and her radiant smile and blonde locks. Yes, Olivia Newton-John of 1978’s blockbuster Hollywood movie-musical Grease passed away this past August 8, 2022. Ardent fans are “hopefully devoted” to the songstress lovingly known for singing those words. The tributes have been pouring in from around the globe. Released in 1978, Grease was the most commercially successful movie-musical up until that time, and is still cherished by millions today. In this edition of Legend Has It, we honor the September 26 th birthday of recently passed Australian actress/singer Olivia Newton-John and her blockbuster movie-musical Grease.
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