Grease is the word.
If you started humming — or singing — you aren’t alone. “Grease” is an all-time classic.
I first saw “Grease” in the theaters back in the day. I was a kid at the time and was enamored with it right out of the gate. I was 8 or 9 at the time. I can remember going to see it with my aunt and uncle, who were teenagers, and the film was clearly geared toward that crowd. It was one of the first musicals I saw and I was fascinated with how the plot moved along with so much song and dance.
Looking back, I’m not sure why I loved it so much. Maybe it was because it featured John Travolta (Danny), who was one of my favorite Sweathogs on the television show “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Maybe it was because it also featured Olivia Newton-John (Sandy), who immediately became one of my favorite movie stars. Though she would never be able to unseat Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”) as my No. 1 pre-pubescent crush.
It didn’t matter that “Grease” was geared toward teens and young adults — I loved it anyway. After seeing the film, I went and plunked down my allowance for the “Grease” album, which I remember as being a two-LP set. Two albums? Are you kidding me? That’s double the music that I would normally get for my $6.99! Sign me up, I thought.
Any spare change I could get my hands on would go toward a pack of “Grease” trading cards. Can you even imagine? During the summer of 1978, I had to divide my quarters between packs of Topps baseball cards and “Grease” trading cards. I had to hide the “Grease” cards from the guys I traded cards with. After all, no one was going to give up a Dave Parker or Willie Stargell for a Danny Zuko. I sure as heck wasn’t parting ways with a Sandy Olsson card.
I also purchased a “Grease” paperback, which had the entire script from start to finish. It met its untimely demise in my grandma’s swimming pool as my aunt Lisa and I recited lines.
My Mom fostered my love for “Grease” and took me to see a traveling show at the Stanley Theatre in downtown Pittsburgh.
Are you sensing a trend here?
In 1978, “Grease” was a monster hit. We didn’t care that the actors don’t look like they’re in high school. We didn’t care — or even recognize — that there were some sexist themes. We enjoyed “Grease” for what it was — a mindless trip back in time. As far as the acting was concerned, it wasn’t great. But Travolta, Newton-John, Jeff Conway and Stockard Channing were more than capable of carrying the plot.
In the end, “Grease” was about the music. And there are some real bangers on the soundtrack. From the title track by Frankie Valli to “Greased Lightning” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” these songs really slap. OK, enough using today’s slang to describe pop hits from the 1970s.
If you can’t remember the last time you watched “Grease,” it’s time. After all, Grease is the word.
“Grease” is rated PG and may be watched on YouTube, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Google Play.
Chris Morelli is the managing editor of The Centre County Gazette.
