Gene was adamant about not dancing in this film. The producers hounded him until he relented. But he had certain demands. It would be a closed set. And the entire dance sequence be from beginning to end. Not taped, edited, and spliced. So that entire dance scene is one single dance. Can you imagine the pressure on Olivia? Her talents never cease to amaze me. Her dancing was flawless and appeared effortless. What an absolute Angel here on earth.
@@ginagray603 And Olivia Newton John was dancing with a broken tail bone. In an interview he gave in 2013, he said he considered himself basically retired but did it because he'd heard ONJ wanted so badly to dance with him. Nothing about refusal or infirmity. And you can't dance like that when you're ill.
@@andygrilz8497 False story. He basically choreographed the whole number and also pushed for the skating scenes. I love how he kinda dances down until 4:19 and then just GOES FOR IT. Just amazing!
Olivia Newton-John's dancing is really under appreciated. Having to pair up with a legend like Gene Kelly and not be up to his level could have been a disaster but she held her own. Nice work Olivia and Gene. Also to composer John Farrar and choreographers Jerry Trent and Danny Ortega.
Her dance routine was ok at best. It was quite stiff and you could see she was overthinking her moves. It's not surprising considering her legendary dance partner.
@@lvg777 If anything, I'd call hers slightly over-practiced, not stiff. Being paired up in a scene like this with the likes of Gene Kelly would make anyone intimidated. She may have been overcompensating slightly, but it still worked out well for the scene overall. After all, Olivia is playing Terpsichore (as Kira) here, the Greek Muse of Poetry and _Dance._
@@lvg777 Considering that unlike many of Kelly's partners in the past Olivia Newton John is not a dancer, she did remarkably well, and I'm also sure that Kelly took that into consideration when he choreographed the scene. Being "OK" when you're dancing with the Great Gene Kelly and not embarassing yourself is nothing to sneeze at.
This film had such a silly plot that it got absolutely slammed by critics, and so its really great music, and especially these astonishing five minutes, never got the appreciation they deserved. This is the final on-screen dance performance by the great Gene Kelly -- performed at age 68, for heaven's sake. It was a remarkable valedictory which has sadly sunk into obscurity. (The big finish, from 4:17 on, is just breathtaking, as the years just fall away and Kelly is, by God, GENE KELLY.)
"Astonishing," By Jove, I think you've hit upon the right word. I'm doing my best to keep this flame alight; I show this clip to everyone I can. To me, this is one of the singular moments in film history, right up there with The Music Man's "Pick a Little, Talk a Lot" scene.
i don't think Olivia ever had another opportunity to showcase her hidden dance skills either. She was never the greatest modern dancer but that didn't matter with her looks, charm and that voice. To keep up with Gene and not look a fool, even at his age, was no easy task.
What a thrill it must have been for Olivia to dance with Gene Kelly. I imagine he was quite taken with her too, being as beautiful and talented as she was.
"I remember.... everything. Oh how I remember." "I was born to love you for eternity." How classic, how flawless, timeless. How perfect. Simply love it! We'll all love Olivia, and Gene, for eternity. Thanks for posting!
I read this movie was a flop! NO WAY! It is in my top 10 favorite movies. I was crazy for E.L.O. and they wrote some or all of the music! I cried the day Olivia passed away. What a loss. WHAT A LEGEND!
You are really right! The music reminds me of musicals during the fifties and sixties. The instruments played like trumpets, flautes and others. J feel a big nostalgia
Just behold the glory and be grateful you lived in the era of the internet giving us the option and that you had the chance to see someone as good dance even on a screen. Pray, be blessed, stay strong-most of all, never stop dancing. 💃🏿 ^_^
The part where she fades in from a memory/ghost to where she fades out again, given her recent passing, is very poignant. Each generation, Gene Kelley was more my parent's, has its icons and stars whose passing tolls the bell on its illusion of immortality. I have watched 'Grease' a hundred times and even a snippet of it playing in a store or whatever will make me stop, watch, and smile. RIP Olivia and thank you.
Also have to add…for those disappointed that Gene isn’t even better with experience/age, he literally wore out his joints, ligaments, tendons, nervous system and ultimately his entire body’s physical chemistry with how much he practiced, trained and with shear will/mind over matter-so everyone should be incredibly impressed that he was able to perform with his undeniable style. Will add also….most who do this caliber of dance or singing or art die from something equivalent to a stroke and/or their body relents to a coma. We simply haven’t evolved to that point yet.
This was so underrated for its magical and wonderful movie. There are no musical numbers in movies at all anymore. It was impressive the Olivia Newton John learned the dance number.
Bad as this movie may have been - and still is - this is undoubtedly its best scene. Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John pull off an exceptional dance routine (courtesy in part of Kelly himself) which, along with the very charming music, serves as one big love letter to Kelly's whole career. It's completely unlike anything this movie had to present, in a good way. Nothing too flashy, just a guy and a gal tap dancing in an empty room in the most perfect display of reliving the glory days I have ever seen. It edges out even the "Dancin'" scene as my favorite moment in the movie.
It's good to know that Gene Kelly doesn't have to perform this song by himself up in heaven anymore now Olivia Newton John is up there with him and their performing it together again that's awesome
You're welcome I still like Xanadu when I was a kid and even now as a grown up I can't stop watching it I don't care what anybody says or thinks about Xanadu this movie is a all time great
@@bernieamerica you're welcome Mary I just know Olivia and Gene are absent from the body present with the Lord and one day we will see them again up in heaven
This song was & still is my all time favorite ONJ song of all time. TY for sharing your gift to the world. You are an inspiration to all. You are truly a fighter. RIP Olivia!!
So amazing. Thanks to Olivia, we have one more show-stopping dance number with the great Gene Kelly. Olivia is amazing, too, evoking two of his greatest partners, Judy Garland and Rita Hayworth...now they're both dancing in heaven, along with the other legends.
I loved this movie when I was younger. I was in love with this man also as a kid.🌹 Oliva was such a beautiful woman. I wanted to be her. Today this song brings a whole new meaning in my life . A person on the mind that thoughts of them are Never far away....
Heaven has 2 angels now. You two wonderful people always bought a smile to my face though out my years. Always loved this film. Your hard work really shows. Never forgotten. Thank you.xx
Even live, her beautiful clear, effortless, CD perfect vocals, even at high ranges, were amazing. From a time of live performances with no trickery and effects. 🦋
W O W ! ! ! This has been my favourite movie from the week it came out to today. Both Gene and Olivia absolutely kill it. A goddess playing a goddess. It's heaven.
Just stunning! Rip both performers. First time seeing this priceless strip, but growing up with 6 years of tap dancing classes and these great two great artists made my day! Peace from Michigan
They don't make them like Gene anymore...a genius at his craft....and Olivia...you were just simply wonderful...Rest in Peace sweet angel...go find Gene and now you are never to far awayyyyy...❤️🙏🕺💃
Gene Kelly, nice guy and what a dance partner! Well done ONJ. Gene so smooth with all the dance routine. Would have loved to have a chance at dancing with him! ❤❤
This was a beautiful moment in entertainment... I loved Olivia growing up and Gene Kelly's dancing was always legendary. It was so lovely to see them together and moving so gracefully and effortlessly to this number...
What a great dancer you are Olivia!! You could have easily been a dancer instead! So light and graceful! Hope you are having fun dancing and singing in heaven!
Whether 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s or today, doesn't matter how Olivia is made up or dressed Cute, Beautiful , Elegant, or Sexy, ALWAYS Irresistible!
ONJ got the opportunity of a Hollywood lifetime to dance with the master on a major motion picture ! She totally deserved it. Her talent and beauty put her there.
