David Ansen of Newsweek wrote, "Too often, Grease is simply mediocre, full of broad high-school humor, flat dramatic scenes and lethargic pacing. Fortunately, there's nothing flat about John Travolta ... Travolta can't dominate this movie as he did Fever, but when he's on screen you can't watch anyone else." [56]

White points out that Grease is a mix of the musical, romcom and teen-movie genres that traditionally appeal to female audiences. It also offers a readily relatable ensemble of characters who aren’t just minor twists on the usual archetypes. There’s one character in particular, though, who provides the beating heart of the movie, and it isn’t Danny or Sandy. Louisa Lytton starred in the revival of the stage version of Grease, which toured the UK for much of 2017. “They asked me originally if I wanted to go in and sing for Sandy and I thought, I kind of always play that girl-next-door role,” she recalls. “I thought, I’d really like to go for Rizzo. Growing up watching the film, she’s most people’s favourite character and, in my mind she has the best song.” Siskel, Gene (June 16, 1978). "Travolta cuts through flaws in suburbanized 'Grease'". Chicago Tribune. Section 3, p. 1. John Travolta had previously worked with Stigwood on Saturday Night Fever, recorded the top-10 hit " Let Her In" in 1976, and had previously appeared as Doody in a touring production of the stage version of Grease. As part of a three-picture deal with Stigwood, Travolta was given the lead role after Henry Winkler turned down the role for fear of being typecast as a greaser, having been playing the similar bad-boy greaser Arthur Fonzarelli on Happy Days since 1974. [13] (Winkler would later regret the decision.) [13] [14] Director Randal Kleiser had never directed a theatrical feature before this but had directed Travolta in the 1976 telefilm The Boy in the Plastic Bubble; Kleiser and Travolta developed a close platonic bond over the course of production, helping Travolta maintain focus as he grieved the death of Diana Hyland (his girlfriend at the time and his on-screen mother in Bubble). [13] Before Newton-John was hired, Allan Carr was considering numerous names such as Carrie Fisher, [15] [16] Ann-Margret, Deborah Raffin, [17] Susan Dey and Marie Osmond for the lead role. Fisher, who had recently finished Star Wars, was ultimately rejected because neither Stigwood nor Carr knew if she could sing. [13] Osmond almost took the role before she realized the extent to which the character transformed into a rebel and turned it down [18] to star in Goin' Coconuts instead. Carr eventually chose Newton-John after a chance encounter at a soireé hosted by Helen Reddy. [19] Newton-John had done little acting before this film, with only two film credits (1965's Funny Things Happen Down Under and the little-seen 1970 film Toomorrow, which predated her singing breakthrough) to her name up to that time; she requested a screen test prior to accepting the role. [19] Newton-John agreed to a reduced asking price in exchange for star billing and the ability to rewrite the script, which included changing her character's origin to an Australian immigrant (to avoid having to emulate an American accent) and making her less passive. [19] In a case of life imitating art, Newton-John's own musical career would undergo a transformation similar to that of the Sandy Olsson character; her next album after Grease, the provocatively titled Totally Hot, featured a much more sexual and pop-oriented approach, with Newton-John appearing on the album cover in similar all-leather attire and teased hair. [20] An endorsement of rape culture or a rejection of slut-shaming: the debate over the film continues, four decades on. How did it become arguably the most beloved movie musical of all time?Grease was originally shot on 35 mm film using Panavision cameras with anamorphic lenses. Paramount’s new 40th Anniversary Edition Ultra HD release features a new 4K scan of the original negative, followed by an extensive digital clean-up and restoration process supervised by Kleiser himself. It’s also been given new color grades for both Dolby Vision and HDR10, and is presented here on UHD in the original 2.39:1 theatrical aspect ratio. The result is very good looking indeed, about as good as one could expect given the film’s age. The image is often optically soft, particularly around the edges of the frame, and a few scenes were shot with filters to give it additional romantic quality. But on the whole the transfer features lovely detail and nicely refined texturing, particularly in skin tones and facial details. There’s a steady wash of light-to-moderate film grain that looks organic and cinematic. Contrast is excellent, with dark shadows and bright highlights (seen in gleaming chrome, car headlights, and the like). But it’s the color that really shines here, with incredible accuracy and vibrance. The High Dynamic Range helps all of this to pop off the screen with an electric but still natural appearance that really enhances the the image. Erlewine, Michael (1997). All music guide to country: the ... Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780879304751. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021 . Retrieved August 13, 2010. DVD Savant: GREASE and the Curse of Product Placement". Dvdtalk.com. August 18, 1998. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009 . Retrieved August 16, 2010. Alexander, Bryan (May 21, 2018). "Danny and Sandy finally get their movie-ending 'Grease' kiss, 40 years after it was cut". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018 . Retrieved May 23, 2018.

Photo Galleries– A selection of four different photo galleries, consisting of: "Rydell High Year Book", "Production", "Premiere", and "Grease Day". The images are navigated using one's remote control. Champlin, Charles (June 16, 1978). "'50s as Seen Through 'Grease'". Chicago Tribune. Part IV, p. 30. About Grease: Live". Fox. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018 . Retrieved November 24, 2018.On August 17, 2009, a television series inspired by the film premiered in Venezuela. The series was produced and directed by Vladimir Perez. The show explores and expands on the characters and story from the film. [77] [78] Myers, Justin (June 14, 2018). "The UK's biggest selling singles of all time". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018 . Retrieved April 26, 2021. When is the Grease prequel out, who's in the cast and when was the original with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John released? Paramount's Players division have apparently been playing with the idea for some time now, and are keen to explore the couple's relationship in more detail.

BFI Statistical Yearbook (PDF) (2012ed.). London: British Film Institute. 2013. pp. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 28, 2013 . Retrieved July 11, 2022. Alternate Animated Main Titles (HD 3:44) – Another new bonus feature, this one showing how the original title sequence was designed to play to a different song – seen here for the first time. Bottom line? They made the right choice with the Gibb/Valli collaboration – this "Grease" song is awful. There's also a short introduction here from Director Randal Kleiser. a b Kit, Borys (April 9, 2019). " 'Grease' Prequel 'Summer Lovin '' in the Works With John August Writing (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019 . Retrieved April 9, 2019.Greatest Musicals: Channel 4 Film". Channel4.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009 . Retrieved March 29, 2017.