Grease Is The Word

There's nothing more iconic then Grease. It's one of those movies everyone has to see. There's not a single person who doesn't like this movie. You can't trust someone who doesn't like Grease. If they don't like this movie their obviously going through some mental issues that you don't have the time to help them work through.

This movie came out in the summer of 1978. Not only was the movie a smash, but it's soundtrack became the definitive Grease. It boasted the Frankie Valli led theme song “Grease”, two outings with Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in the lead with “You're The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights”, along with the Olivia Newton John solo “Hopelessly Devoted To You”. It's no surprise that it went on to sell over 28 million copies worldwide.

I became a proud owner recently and I might I add that it was the best decision of my entire life. If you grew up with this movie in your life. You need the soundtrack. Anyone who decides to get rid of it should be hospitalized. 

Of course I suffered through the movie again, so I could accurately throwback. Let's just start with that cartoon intro. I have a soft place for it in my heart. It's so cute and adorable. It's perfect actually. It invokes childhood and that's what this movie is for most of us.  

I feel like the obsession that Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta had with one another was never really expressed well enough. Now don't get me wrong. John Travolta was kind of hot with that cigarette dangling out of his mouth. What happened to him. Neither of them aged particularly well, but Olivia is 66. She looks good, I just feel like John got his face pulled one too many times.  

Rewatching this movie as an “adult” I caught so many things. Danny and Kenickie had there three friends. They acted a fool. They were basically the three stooges. All of the T-Birds acted out masculinity. Danny and Kenickie had that moment when they were like “I love you as a bro” and then they pretended to be chill. Because, real men don't have emotions or care about people. Whatever.

As a child I never caught that Rizzo was pregnant. Rizzo is honestly my favorite character. I understand and relate to her the most. She's a strong female. Who just kind of powers through with this strength. She's also queen bitch of the Pink Ladies and lord knows I need that jacket. My favorite song in the whole movie is “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”. She lists all these things that are terrible things, but the worst possible thing she can do is cry in front of Kenickie. I feel that on a spiritual level. There are plenty of boys that have made me cry, but I be damned if I'm going to cry in front of them.

The romance between Kenickie and Rizzo is also a lot closer to my heart. Kenickie is supposed to be this bad boy who has all this sex, but he lost his virginity to Rizzo. Do not be mistaken. When there in that car he says “it broke. I bought it in the 7th grade.” He's talking about a condom. He wanted to be cool. That's it. Rizzo decides it doesn't matter and they have sex.  

When she gets pregnant and Kenickie finally finds out he wants to be there for her. Yes. He's excited when it turns out she isn't, but they're barely out of high school. That's not as douchey as it seems. I just love them. I love them so much.

This movie is problematic. There's no denying that. However, watching it with a critical eye I realize that Sandy wasn't the only one changing. Danny tried changing for her. Danny at his core was a good guy. It was all the posturing with the T-Birds that made him act like an ass. Whenever, he hurt Sandy's feelings it was to impress them.

The only time I don't see why he was so insistent was when they were in the drive in movie and he kind of forced himself on her. That seemed unnecessary. It's the kind of thing Danny Zuko was supposed to do and that's why I think he acted on it.  

He also tried sports for Sandy. He decided to go prep for Sandy at the end, and then Olivia Newton-John came out in that sexy skin tight black patent leather and slayed the world with that hair. Sandy made the change so she could be with Danny, but I really feel it was something she was comfortable doing. The reason her ears weren't pierced was because of her father. She was a good girl.

Sandy's friends and the people she aligned herself with were the delinquents. I think this transition was for her. Now, that doesn't mean this isn't problematic, but it's the way it is. It's also ironic that they both tried to change for each other when the theme song of Grease literally says “we can be who we are”.

The dance was pivotal. Marty through herself at the older announcer. Rizzo slayed up and down that fucking gym floor in that red spotted dress. I just love Stockard Channing. Killed it. Of course Danny fucked up again when he let himself dance with Cha Cha, who as Frenchie put it was “the best dancer at St. Bernadette's with the worst reputation.” Cha Cha was hot, though. I blame Danny and I also don't blame him.

"Beauty School Dropout"

Frenchie is the only one who made it in Grease 2 (and no we're not talking about that train wreck). She turned her hair a lovely shade of pink. She was sweet and loveable. Frankie Avalon sang to her and told her not to become a beautician unless she wanted to style hookers. Which, really sounds like a lot of fun.

The car scene where they raced on thunder roadvmade my day. I teared up a little. It was amazing. My father cut the “Greased Lightening” scene out of the VHS tape. I guess he didn't want me seeing John Travolta gyrating in suggestive manners. He didn't want me to get the wrong idea. 

The only other thing about this movie that I just adored was how short the boys shorts were. To have been alive in the racist homophobic era of the fifties would have been so much fun.

Someday I hope to also be dressed in skin tight leather. A cigarette in my hand. Cue the music and say “Tell me about it. Stud.” And crush the cigarette under my stiletto. Grease is life goals