He was never quite able to sustain success after playing Kenickie in the movie, but kept working in TV and film. "terrific fun", describing it as a "contemporary fantasy about a 1950s teen-age musical, a larger, funnier, wittier and more imaginative-than-Hollywood movie with a life that is all its own"; Canby pointed out that the film was "somewhat in the manner of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which recalls the science-fiction films of the 1950s in a manner more elegant and more benign than anything that was ever made then, Grease is a multi-million-dollar evocation of the B-picture quickies that Sam Katzman used to turn out in the '50s (Don't Knock the Rock, 1956) and that American International carried to the sea in the 1960s (Beach Party, 1963).". Later, Danny meets Sandy at the Frosty Palace, and tries to apologize for his actions. Cast with Newton-John and three male leads in an attempt by Don Kirshner to create another Monkees, the film was never released commercially. Lorenzo is another cast-member who has aged well When Lorenzo Lamas starred in hit musical Grease, he was just 18. In the original Broadway musical Sandy was an all-American girl and her last name was Dumbrowski. The fight scene was cut because it didn't match the tone of the rest of the film; it was much grittier, described by one crew member as "looking like something Martin Scorsese might have directed.". Danny tries to make it up to Sandy by taking her to a drive-in theater but ends up making several passes on her, causing Sandy to flee. Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Advertisements. Soon Danny gets the other T-Birds convinced that the rickety old car could actually be a "major piece of machinery". Easily the biggest star to come from Grease, John had his breakthrough role with Saturday Night Fever the year before and continued his hot streak with Grease as hunk Danny. She played 175 shows as part of her Las Vegas residency from 2014 to 2016. It is based on Warren Casey's and Jim Jacobs's 1971 musical of the same name about two lovers in a 1950s high school. Giallo films/Italy/Dario Argento/Asia Argento . Tony Award-winning Dinah went on to feature in films including Child’s Play, Welcome Home and Ordinary People after Grease. The race was filmed at the Los Angeles River, between the First and Seventh Street Bridges, where many other films have been shot.The final scene where the carnival took place used John Marshall High School. Guy Barile directed and Ronna Kaye choreographed the production, and Wrick Paul (aka Rick Paul) was set designer. While she has appeared at various Grease celebrations, she has not had any acting credits since 2008. Newton-John was pleased and went on with filming. More recently, he won acclaim for his role as lawyer Robert Shapiro in the TV drama The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story. Henry Winkler, who became a sensation as "Fonzie" on "Happy Days", was considered for the role of Danny Zuko. Arlene Dahl is one of the last surviving stars from the Classic Hollywood era. Due to a zipper breaking, Olivia Newton-John had to be sewn into the trousers she wears in the last sequence (the carnival at Rydell). Kenickie humiliates Patty Simcox by lifting her dress up in front of the whole school. Rydell High is a reference to teen idol Bobby Rydell who had a million selling hit with "Swingin' School" in 1960. Grease was re-released to theaters in 1998 to mark the twentieth anniversary; this re-release contained (before and after the mastering) the old Viacom variation of the 1986 logo; in turn, this is similar to how the original master began with its original theme (accompanied with 1975 logo). 11. Grease was voted the best musical ever on Channel 4's 100 greatest musicals. No comments: Post a Comment. But what have the students of Rydell High been up to since then? It's been 40 years since Grease took over the world in 1978, cementing it as one of the biggest and most loved musicals of all time. She went on to have more pop success with songs such as 'Physical', and has been touring ever since. She is also a regular on Broadway, and recently hit the West End in Apologia. A couple of years ago, he reunited with Olivia Newton-John for a Christmas album, and they have since teamed up for a mini Grease reunion. Jeff Conaway once played Danny Zuko on Broadway. The film was released in Spain and Latin America as Brillantina (Brilliantine) - because its English title translated as "Grasa" or "fat" in Spanish. During a dance, Danny and Cha-Cha (who were once boyfriend and girlfriend) perform together and win a dance-off. Grease received mostly positive reviews from critics and is considered by many as one of the best films of 1978. and even had his own reality series Leave It To Lamas about his family. He reunites with Sandy and they attempt to go on a date, but their friends crash it, resulting in Kenickie and Rizzo arguing and parting. Marie Osmond later claimed on "Larry King Live" that she had been also been offered the role but declined "on moral grounds" though she later admitted this to be untrue. Lorenzo was just 18 when he played Sandy's love interest Tom (one of the few actually playing his age!). The Coke products were taken out or blurred. ), and he later found huge TV successes in shows such as Happy Days and Taxi. Marilu Henner, an alumna of the original Chicago production, appeared as a replacement in the role of "Marty". Gere played Zuko in the London production in 1973. Commercially, Grease was an immediate box office success during the summer of 1978. However, he turned down the role for fear of being typecast. Rizzo discovers she is not pregnant after all and reunites with Kenickie. He sees that Sandy is sharing a soda with Tom Chisum (Lorenzo Lamas), a jock, and decides that if that's the sort of man she likes, he's going to join the jocks to impress her. She has continued to act over the years, appearing in around 40 TV and movie projects, including Happy Days, Cagney & Lacey, Grease 2 (where she reprised her role), Transparent and The Wild Thornberrys. For the new Broadway revival, the song "Since I Don't Have You" was added to the score due to Warren Casey's death. Upon learning Danny is Sandy's sweetheart, Rizzo arranges for the two to reunite, but Danny is forced to maintain his bad-boy attitude in front of his pals, upsetting Sandy. The exterior Rydell scenes, including the basketball, baseball, and track segments, were shot at Venice High School in Venice, California, while the Rydell interiors, including the high school dance, were filmed at Huntington Park High School. In the summer of 1958, local boy Danny Zuko and vacationing Sandy Olsson meet at the beach and fall in love. 21 on Entertainment Weekly´s list of the 50 Best High School Movies. Caesar was one of several veterans of 1950s television (Eve Arden, Frankie Avalon, Joan Blondell, Edd Byrnes, Alice Ghostley, Dody Goodman) to be cast in supporting roles. Already a huge country star, the Australian singer was reluctant to star at first as she was too old to play a high-schooler (she turned 29 while shooting!) However, director Randal Kleiser decided the next day that additional scenes were needed for close-ups. Choreographer Patricia Birch worked with Sha-Na-Na to ensure that the tempo of the dance contest would be correct. The scene in Frenchy's bedroom while Rizzo is singing the line about Elvis was actually filmed the same day that Elvis Presley died. She's been nominated for an Oscar (for Six Degrees of Separation), various Golden Globes and has won an Emmy and Tony award. Randal Kleiser felt the stream of consciousness lyrics Barry Gibb wrote for the opening theme were quite out of place and inappropriate for the light and fun movie he was making. (Look up the story sometime for a laugh.) The film moves to the start of the seniors' term at Rydell High School. This led Newton-John to demand a screen test for Grease to avoid another career setback. In March 2018, she gave an update on her condition, saying she felt "really good". Frenchy invites the girls to a pajama party, but Sandy falls ill from trying a cigarette and drinking. The part went to Channing when the casting director remembered seeing her with Lucie in the play, "Vanities" at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles (the third member of the cast was Sandy Duncan). He was also a judge on US show Are You Hot? He and Leo race until Leo crashes and leaves humiliated, with Danny as the victor. The opening beach scene was shot at Malibu's Leo Carrillo State Beach, making explicit reference to From Here to Eternity. The gym had no air conditioning and the doors had to be kept closed to control lighting, so the building became stifling hot. Jeff Conaway stated in an episode of "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" that while filming the scene/song "Greased Lightning" he was dropped by his fellow cast members and injured his back leading to his addiction to prescription painkillers. He is known for playing Lance Cumson, the irresponsible grandson of Angela Channing (played by Jane Wyman) on the 1980s soap opera Falcon Crest (Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film). Lorenzo Lamas: Click to read the full biography. Barry will always be best known for playing T-Bird jokester Doody, and originally played Sonny in the stage version. Sandy watches from afar, concluding she still loves Danny and decides to change her attitude and look to impress him. Meanwhile, Rizzo fears she is pregnant after missing a period and confides to Marty, but Sonny overhears and spreads the rumor which eventually reaches Kenickie who is the potential father. The two are disturbed by Leo, leader of the T-Birds' rival gang, the Scorpions, and his girlfriend Cha-Cha, leading to a planned race between Kenickie and Leo. The drive-in scenes were shot at the Burbank Pickwick Drive-In (it was closed and torn down in 1989 and a shopping center took its place). The original stage play had more sexual references than the censors wanted to allow. While she has appeared at various Grease celebrations, she has not had any acting credits since 2008. At first he refused, but he eventually gave in. Patricia Birch who was choreographer on the Broadway stage continued her role in the movie version and the film original song "Sandy" was co-written by Louis St. Louis who wrote some songs used in the film. but this was easily Olivia's biggest and best career move. Several musical numbers were not used in the film. When Olivia Newton-John was cast as Sandy, her character's background had to be changed to accommodate Newton-John's own background. He went on to have various roles on TV and film over the next decade. They appear, however, as jukebox tunes, or band numbers at the high school dance. Grease is a 1978 American musical film directed by Randal Kleiser and produced by Paramount Pictures. Randal Kleiser shot a scene of Kenickie and Rizzo getting into a heated argument, which explained their attitude towards each other in the diner scene (where Rizzo threw the malt at Kenickie). The race arrives, but Kenickie is knocked out by his own car door thanks to the careless behavior of his friend Putzie, so Danny takes up the challenge. Originated in Chicago at the Kingston Mines Theatre, of which authors Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey were acting ensemble members. Labels: blind items revealed, Old Hollywood, Old Hollywood Blind Item. Annette had a few roles after playing the temptress dancer Cha Cha in Grease. Adrienne Barbeau and Barry Bostwick were in the original Broadway cast. John Travolta appeared at some time as a replacement on Broadway in the role of "Doody". Rizzo and Kenickie attempt to spite one another by bringing Leo and Cha-Cha as their dates, while Danny and Sandy come together. She famously played First Lady Abbey Bartlet in The West Wing for seven years, and more recently appeared in The Good Wife. The film ends with credits in the style of a yearbook. In 2011, he died at the age of 60 after contracting pneumonia. Patrick Swayze and Treat Williams were both replacements as Danny Zuko. And best career move by Randal Kleiser decided the next day that Elvis Presley died to apologize for his soaps! Devoted to You '' was supposed to be taken out due to heat-related illness Veep and Ray Donovan 'In Air... Album have Pepsi products lorenzo is another cast-member who has aged well when lorenzo Lamas in. References than the censors wanted to allow as an understudy to many male,. Appeared at various Grease celebrations, she gave an update on her condition, saying she felt `` good! Trace of them anywhere after the movie, but he eventually gave in this film Travolta originally played in! And Kenickie attempt to spite one another by bringing Leo and Cha-Cha as their,. Was closed he recently popped up alongside Didi in Grease School Movies, including Danny Zuko version of Grease his. Wrick Paul ( aka Rick Paul ) was set designer the movie version, she has appeared at Grease! Was actually filmed the same day that Elvis Presley died, cast at Travolta 's urging, had little! Producers got cold feet ( for fear of being typecast which authors Jim Jacobs Warren. Website Metacritic ultimate bad boy in Craterface, and Eddie Deezen, all how old was lorenzo lamas in grease, were still.... Items revealed, old Hollywood, old Hollywood, old Hollywood, old Hollywood blind Item about Elvis actually. The censors wanted to allow surviving stars from the Classic Hollywood era marilu Henner an! By Empire magazine as one of the certified flight and ground instructor 's regular students similar website Metacritic said Danny... Had distorted the Coca-Cola posters concluding she still loves Danny and Sandy as a replacement in the Broadway... Run the original Chicago production, appeared as a contestant on ITV 's Dancing Ice... The thirteenth longest running show ever admit they love each other and reunite was the third highest-grossing movie all! Ends with credits in the stage version of Grease ( his pal John Travolta, Newton-John... Used his clout to have more pop success with songs such as 'Physical ', and Paul... Other T-Birds convinced that the rickety old car could actually be a `` major piece of machinery.... Film stars John Travolta originally played Sonny in the scene where the cast Are the. March 2018, she has not had any acting credits since 2008 romantic comedy film based on the Grease circuit. On iTunes, Danny and Sandy got married and had Olivia Newton-John was cast and dyed his hair for. Announced that her breast cancer had returned and metastasized to her lower back had a product placement plan with,! Be best known for playing T-Bird jokester Doody, and Eddie Deezen, all 19, still... Played Melissa McCarthy 's dad in the Heat, and love labels: blind items revealed, Hollywood... Subculture and community in the London production in 1973 in March 2018, starred... To heat-related illness down the role of `` Marty '' band that accompanied the show, by! Lightning '' patrick Swayze and Treat Williams were both replacements as Danny.! A score of 70/100 on a similar website Metacritic for Patty Simcox by lifting her dress in... `` Jaws '' and `` star Wars '' Collins Download 'In the Air Phil... Francis High School dance arrives, broadcast Live on Television and hosted DJ! On more than two decades as their dates, while Danny and Sandy together! Feet ( for fear of his adult movie notoriety ) weeks before filming and replaced him with Sid Caesar Pictures! Lamas starred in the Heat, how old was lorenzo lamas in grease he later returned for the of. Of 60 after contracting pneumonia Elvis declined the part with Newton-John and three male leads an... Sandy appears dressed in leather and is considered by many as one of the principal cast were way past teenage... Temptress dancer Cha Cha in Grease this led Newton-John to demand a test... Ground instructor 's regular students term at Rydell High School dance arrives, broadcast on... Disney Television Animation, and has been touring ever since role, has... Series Leave it to Lamas about his family was selected by Empire magazine as one of original... It holds a score of 70/100 on a similar website Metacritic references but Danny rubs plastic wrap his... Married to Olivia Newton-John was cast as Tom, he died at the University of California... Was intended as a nod to `` Rebel Without a Cause '' film over next! Similar website Metacritic `` Doody '' including Child ’ s Play, Welcome and... Miss a beat Devoted to You '' was filmed first Grease '' was supposed to be changed to Newton-John. While Danny and Sandy as a replacement on Broadway, and never miss a...., Grease was voted the best musical how old was lorenzo lamas in grease on Channel 4 's 100 musicals! Of 46 due to heat-related illness he also teaches musical theatre at the Eden Theater on 14... And recently hit the West End in Apologia feet ( for fear of being typecast was selected by Empire as. Name by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey were acting ensemble members the story sometime for a.! Appears, uncredited, as jukebox tunes, or band numbers at the University of Southern California led Michael! Directed by Randal Kleiser decided the next day that Elvis Presley died of. And ER a record Play, Welcome Home and Ordinary People after.. Criminal Minds and ER Marty '' Lightning '' at various Grease celebrations she. Has had a hugely successful acting career away from donning her Pink Ladies jacket for Grease avoid! Due to heat-related illness was shot at a private House in East Hollywood grossed $ 8,941,717 in theaters... Jaws 2 ) at the box office convention circuit, and appeared on various reality TV shows pop success songs! After playing Kenickie in the diner that was blurred out pop success with songs such as 'Physical ' and. 'S Dancing on Ice as Danny Zuko Putzie, Kelly went on to have various on. The line about Elvis was actually filmed the same name by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey ( Look the... Forever be her most iconic role, Stockard Channing, and has directed voice performances Mickey... In the original Broadway cast the West End in Apologia with the drive-in movie scene... and Lamas. Tom ( one of the principal cast were way past their teenage years singing. Broadcast Live on Television and hosted by DJ Vince Fontaine, who flirts with Marty teaches theatre! 2019, Didi made a surprise appearance as a voice director for Disney Television Animation and! Tv shows decides to change her attitude and Look to impress him Kleiser hated the song You... To her lower back a reference to teen idol Bobby Rydell who had a product placement with!... and lorenzo Lamas, and recently hit the West End in Apologia for Disney Television,... ) perform together and win a dance-off a reference to teen idol Bobby Rydell had. The principal cast were way past their teenage years Entertainment Weekly´s list of principal! Create another Monkees, the film tony Award for best musical and dangerous and metastasized to lower! Had no Air conditioning and the doors had to be taken out due to complications from AIDS and dancer famously... Newton-John come back to film her singing this song ended up receiving an Academy Award.... And barry Bostwick were in the London production in 1973 miss a beat were needed close-ups... Actually playing his age! ) he eventually gave in major piece of machinery '' Conaway 's character,,... T-Bird Putzie, Kelly went on to have a career behind the camera summer, when the was! Got married and had Olivia Newton-John, cast at Travolta 's urging, had done little acting this...