XANADU
US, 1980, 91 minutes, Colour.
Olivia Newton John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck.
Directed by Robert Greenwald.
Xanadu aims to be an all-age crowd pleaser. It may go into musical histories as a pastiche of so many Hollywood movies (echoes of many abound and the imitation of styles), as capitalising on Olivia Newton-John's attractive, wide-eyed presence and her singing and as providing Gene Kelly with a star role in his late '60s. He still does some dance routines with verve and acts engagingly like an ebullient grandfather.
Production and special effects are lavish, if garish, sounds and choreography blend with rock. But the plot (Rita Hayworth once played a muse come down to earth) is corny fantasy. Hero Michael Beck is too stolid - leaving the audience responding to Muse Olivia as amused and/or bemused.
1 . The popularity of this film in its time? The promotion of the music, Olivia Newton-John's singing? The type of musical made in 1979-80? A film of its time?
2. The background of Coleridge and Kubla Khan? The dream world, the fantasy building - updated into the modern restaurant and theatre! A world of dreams? Indication of contemporary fantasy?
3. The popularity of Olivia Newton- John as singer, dancer, actress? Her combining with Gene Kelly and his background of musicals, dancing and choreography? The quality of the songs? The Electric Light Orchestra, John Farrer's music for Olivia Newton-John? The contemporary styles, the visualising of the music? The echoes of the '40s and '50s? The blending of the music of the past, the big bands and contemporary rock?
4. The flimsy fantasy plot and audience enjoyment of it? The contriving of fantasy in contemporary California? Dreams? The audience suspending disbelief (Coleridge's phrase) for such a dream?
5. Olivia Newton-John's presence as Kira? Her coming alive from the painting on the wall? Her being amused? The point of her roller skating everywhere? Her varying appearances? The infatuation of Sonny? The memories of Danny? Her mission to help them build Xanadu? Her work with them, the rehearsals? Her disappearance? The finish of her mission? The gods allowing her to stay? Her becoming the star of the show and the variety of dances, songs, costumes etc.? A showcase for Olivia Newton~John?
6. Gene Kelly as Danny: his memories, career, wealth? His dancing and the memory of the past with 'Whenever You’re Away From Me?' Friendship with Sonny and philosophising about life with him? The search for Xanadu, preparations, opening? Conventional character? Sonny as hero - his work. art. ambitions? Sombre and sullen in style? His glimpse of Kira? Discussions with Danny? Kira as his wish-fulfilment? The management of Xanadu, working with Danny, plea to Kira to stay?
8. The world of advertising, commercial art, restaurants, show business, entertainment?
9. The fantasy of the muse coming alive, her mission.. her falling in love? Zeus and his wife (Wilfred Hyde White and Coral Browne) discussing Kira's future? Allowing her a moment and yet an eternity? The triumph of true love?
10. The staging of the songs and the variety of costume and decor? The grand climax at the opening of Xanadu?
11. The songs: 'I'm Alive'. 'All Over the World'. 'The Fall', 'Don't walk Away' - composed by Jeff Lynne, performed by the Electric Light Orchestra; 'Magic 'Suspended In Time', 'Whenever You're Away From Me', 'Suddenly', 'Dancing', composed by John Farrer; 'Xanadu' composed by Jeff Lynn.
