Production Notes
“….we have to believe we are magic
nothing can stand in our way….”
XANADU.
This is it. This is what you’ve been waiting for. Perfect escapism. A spectacular entertainment that will transport you beyond your wildest dreams.
XANADU.
Imagine – Olivia Newton-John. Gene Kelly. The Most dazzling musical fantasy in years. Spectacular production numbers. Five songs by Jeff Lynne for Electric Light Orchestra. Five songs by John Farrar. Fabulous special effects. Tap-dancing. Jiierbugging. Beautiful sets and costumes. A very special love story. Magic. The Tubes. The 40s meet the 80s. The first big, lavish old-fashioned musical to utilize the new music.
XANADU.
The most delightful, lyrical movie of the summer. Indeed, of the entire year. To borrow a phrase from another musical treat, “Boy, do we nee it now!” It has the most irresistible score you’ve heard in a long, long time. This is the movie with the hit songs “Magic,” “I’m Alive,” “All Over The World,” Suddenly,” and the title song, “XANADU.”
“….a million light are dancing and there you are….”
This is XANADU.
Where dreams com true.
Open your eyes, feel the magic.
Open you eyes and gaze on the screen’s newest love goddess.
Olivia Newton-John.
This is only her second film, and she’ll ravish you’re your senses with her luminous beauty, her beautiful voice, her incandescent sweetness, her otherworldly loveliness. Born under the sign of Libra, Olivia has that common with her love goddess of the 40s, Rita Hayworth.
One of Olivia’s two co-starts also starred in the 40s with Hayworth – Gene Kelly – the greatest dancer of all time. The incomparable, wonderful Kelly dances again in a film. And when he dances with Olivia to the song, “Whenever You’re Away From Me,” the charm, warmth and joy of their duet make the years slip away back to something akin to the of our innocence.
Olivia’s love interest in XANADU is Michael Back, the man with the dynamite presence in “The Warriors.” Displaying a new side of his talents, Beck’s scene with Olivia his strength and his vulnerability, particularly in a number they share: “….she walks in, and I’m suddenly a hero….” The duet is actually sung by Olivia and Cliff Richard on the soundtrack.
XANADU is, of course, a love story. It’s about love found. Love lost. Love recaptured. Love eternal. Love which inspires. Love which transcends time.
XANADU is a story about a girl who makes dreams come true. Her name is Kira, and she’ Olivia Newton-John. It is she who brings Gene Kelly and Michael Beck together in XANADU where each of them fulfills his dreams.
“….bring all your dreams alive….”
Olivia Newton-john portrays a muse, one of Zeus’ nine daughters. She and her eight sisters come down to earth to help mere mortals make their fantasies into realities.
Gene Kelly is a former clarinet player who once had his own band and nightclub in the 40s, but gave it all up for the security of the family business. Now wealthy and retires, he longs to have another club and be involved with music and the magic of show business again.
Michael Beck is a young artist who duplicates record album covers for billboards. He is not happy with his work; it is as static as a still life. He is uncertain what he wants from life. Until he meets the ravishing Kira.
XANADU is the past and the present interwoven in a unique and fresh manner. It is a look at the future and a loving remembrance of the way things were in the heyday of Hollywood. The old becomes the new.
XANADU has something for everyone.
“….forget about the blues tonight, sweet….thing….”
XANADU is a Lawrence Gordon production, produced by Gordon, with Joel Silver as co-producer, and Lee Kramer as executive producer. Robert Greenwald directed from a screenplay by Richard Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel.
The music was created by Jeff Lynne, driving force behind Electric Light Orchestra, who wrote five original songs, and by John Farrar, who wrote five additional songs for Olivia Newton-John. ELO recorded Lynne’s songs for the soundtrack of XANADU.
Kenny Ortega and Jerry Trent choreographed the spectacular musical number using Hollywood’s freshest and most talented dancers.
Producer Gordon (“The End,” “The Warriors,” “Hooper”) describes the history of XANADU: “Joel Silver was an executive for me with the assignment of developing projects. He happens to be a real film buff, and he wanted to make an old-fashioned musical. We developed the story for Warner Bros., which declined to go ahead. Maybe they were right to do so. A musical fantasy is chancey, and at the time we didn’t have Olivia and Gene. Joel and I still both believed in the project. We took it to Universal and they decided to do the film.”
Next came director Robert Greenwald. Gordon, having seen several movies for TV directed by Greenwald, admired his work. Although XANADU marks Greenwald’s feature film debut, he had a very successful career directing on the stage, as well as television.
The next objective for Gordon, Silver and Greenwald was finding the right actors.
Olivia Newton-John’s first American film, “Grease,” turned out to be the most successful film musical in history. Inevitably, Olivia, already a superstar in the music world, was barraged with film scripts. She was in no hurry to do another film, however, unless the right project came along.
XANADU.
When Gene Kelly agreed to be in the film, he told Gordon, Silver and Greenwald he wouldn’t “touch a toe.” He would strictly be a dramatic actor. Fortunately, they were able to persuade him to dance in several of the production numbers.
One of the most colorful numbers was staged at a boutique in Beverly Hills, with Kelly dancing his way through more than half a dozen costume changes.
“The man is not just an actor and dancer,” says Greenwald, “he’s also a producer, director, choreographer, and writer. It’s not only a challenge to direct him on my first picture – it would be the same on my fiftieth picture!”
With Olivia and Kelly signed to star in XANADU, Gordon, silver, Greenwald and executive producer Lee Kramer had one major role left to cast, that of the romantic lead opposite Olivia. Lots of names came up, but one kept coming back to was Michael Beck, who had starred for Gordon in “The Warriors.” It was felt by all that the chemistry between him and Olivia would be very exciting. Michael solid acting training in England also would add another dimension to a fantasy musical.
With three such talented stars, an equally able cinematographer was needed to capture their essence for the screen. Veteran cinematographer Victor J. Kemper was signed. His credits include “…And Justice For All,” “Oh, God!,” “The Last Tycoon,” and “Dog Day Afternoon.”
“….an everlasting world and you’re here with me eternally….”
Rarely has there been a musical with so many dazzling special effects sequences. Wait till you see the muses spring to life for a wall painting to the lyrical strains of “I’m Alive.” Responsible for the special effects and main title are R. Greenberg Associates, under the creative direction of Richard Greenburg who originally was brought in only for the opening titles and promotion, Gordon, Silver and Greenwald were so delighted with the knock-you-out-of-your-seat optical, Greenberg eventually created more than 100 opticals and effects for XANADU.
Construction on the interior of XANADU, a streamlined moderne place, was begun early in September of 1979 on stage 4 of Hollywood General Studios. It took three months to build the million dollar oval-shaped set, which is the largest ever designed by John Corso (“Coal Miner’s Daughter”).
The two-story set measures 163 feet by 90 feet.
The company spent more than three weeks filming the XANADU finale. The basic color used: burgundy and grey. Fountains surrounded the rotating platform below the stage. A curtain of mirrored panels rose and fell between musical numbers. Two hundred and thirty-seven dancers, roller skaters, and specialty acts worked in the sequence; including jugglers, tightrope walkers, boogaloo street dancers, and adagio dancers.
For this most lavish of finales, Olivia has a number of wonderful costume changes. She tap-dances, garbed in a 40s sunsuit with her hair in an updo Betty Grable-style. For a hot rock number, she wears a tigerskin vest and a slit mini-skirt. There’s a hoedown country-western number with Olivia in a white fringed cowboy outfit. For the stunning showgirl number, Olivia glides up a ramp clothed in an elegant Erte-influenced gown. She looks fabulous.
“….got some dancin’ to do, lover, I won’t take a
back seat….”
The Battle of the Bands number, “Dancin’,” contains some of the most exciting dance sequence in XANADU.
The number expresses Kelly’s and Beck’s very different visualizations of XANADU.
Kelly fantasizes XANADU in a 1940s atmosphere with a swing band elegantly dressed in tuxedos. A trio of girl singers croons, and a wide assortment of dancers in 40s-style clothing jitterbug their hearts out.
Beck sees XANADU as an 80s electrified rock group (performed by The Tubes). In front of the stage are a group of dancers dresses in neon-colored jumpsuits and tights. The dance is outrageous hot rock.
The finale of the 40s-80s number sees the two stages, with the musicians and dancers merging into one group for an unforgettable climax.
“….why do I feel so alive when you’re near….”
LAWRENCE GORDON
The Producer
One of Hollywood’s most active and talented producers, Lawrence Gordon was born and reared in Balzoni, Mississippi.
His first show business association was with TV producer Aaron Spelling on the Burke’s Law series. He then joined ABC Television as head of West Coast Talent Development, leaving the network to become a vice president of Screen Gems (now Columbia Picture Television) where he worked on developing new projects, including “Brian’s Song,” starring James Cann and Billy Dee Williams, which became one of the highest-rated and most acclaimed presentations on TV.
Gordon left Screen Gems to become Vice President in Charge of World-Wide Production for American International Pictures, the first man to hold this title at that company. Among his successes were “Dillinger” and “Heavy Traffic.”
After three years, he resigned his post to form his own company. Lawrence Gordon Production, Inc. His first film was “Hard Times,” followed by “Rolling Thunder,” “The Driver,” “The End,“ Hooper,” “The Warriors,” and now, XANADU.
JOEL SILVER
Co-Producer
Joel Silver was assistant to Lawrence Gordon on “The End” and Hooper.” He then worked as associate producer on “The Warriors.”
His next position was as a production executive at Universal Pictures working as the executive in charge of “The Incredible Shrinking Woman,” starring Lily Tomlin, and “Smokey And The Bandit II,” starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, and Jackie Gleason.
LEE KRAMER
Executive Producer
Lee Kramer has been involved in various aspects of the entertainment industry as well as the general business world.
The London born Kramer has farmed in Israel and in Africa, run an antique jewelry store, as a full partner in the largest footwear supplier in Europe, has been superstar Olivia Newton-John’s manager for the past five years, also handles Cliff Richard among others, and has his own production company, L. K. Productions.
In addition to his chores as executive producer of XANADU, Kramer has produced several of Olivia Newton-John’s television specials including Hollywood Nights for ABC-TV, which aired on Oscar night this year.
Kramer also is very much involved in preproduction plans for a feature film, “The Silver Surfer,” based on the Marvel Comics character. Production is scheduled for early 1981.
ROBERT GREENWALD
Director
Robert Greenwald directed extensively in the theater, both on and off-Broadway and in Los Angeles, and for television, prior making his feature film directorial debut on XANADU.
Born and raised in New York City, Greenwald worked on more than 30 off-Broadway shows before graduating to a job as assistant general manager with producer David Merrick. Based on his work in the New York theatre, he was hired to run the new play program at Mark Taper Forum of the Los Angeles Music Center, where within three years, he directed twelve productions, many of them musicals, including “Me And Bessie,” which was so successful it moved to Broadway for a year-and-a-half. On Broadway, he also directed “I Have A Dream,” starring Billy Dee Williams.
While at the Music Center, Greenwald became interested in film, and with Frank von Zernack started Moonlight Productions. Over the next three years, he produced or directed 15 specials, pilots or movies for TV. He co-produced Twenty Hours At Munich starring William Holden.
The Three movies he directed for television were all very well-received: Sharon: Portrait Of A Mistress, Kate: Portrait Of A Centerfold, and Flatbed Annie & Sweetiepie: Lady Truckdrivers.
“….there’s gonna be a party all over the world….”
JEFF LYNNE
Composer
Jeff Lynne, composer, producers, lead vocalist, and guitarist for Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) also can play piano, drums and bass.
Born in Birmingham, England, he joined his first professional group in 1966 at the age of 18, “Idle Race.” In 1970, Jeff joined “Move.” When that group disbanded, ELO was born, becoming known as the first band to incorporate strings and rock.
Since 1976, ELO has chalked up hit after hit and many gold and platinum record awards. ELO’s 1978 tour coincided with the release of their double album, “Out Of The Blue,” a set which had order of more than four million world-wide before it had even been released.
Although he had offers to write songs for film, Jeff never had the time because of ELO’s constant touring and recording schedule. 1979 was the first years in seven that ELO didn’t tour, so Jeff sank his teeth into a new venture – writing and recording five songs for XANADU. The song are “I’m Alive,” The Fall.” All Over the World,” “Don’t Walk Away,” and “XANADU.”
“….whenever you’re away from me, wherever you go, you’re
never far away from me, I want you to know….”
JOHN FARRAR
Composer
John Farrar has been Olivia Newton-John’s record producer since 1970. He has also written some of her biggest hits, including the Oscar-nominated “Hopelessly Devoted To You” and “You’re The One That I Want” from “Grease,” as well as “Have You Never Been Mellow” and “A Little More Love.”
Australian-born, Farrar and his group, “The Strangers” were the house band on The Go Show, Melbourne’s version of American Bandstand. After moving to England, Farrar joined the two former members of the popular English recording group, “The Shadows,” to form a trio, Marvin, Welch and Farrar. John co-produced the group’s first album.
John and Bruce Welch co-produced Olivia Newton-John’s first record. Their first single, a Bob Dylan tune, “If Not For You” was a hit in the U. S. and England in 1971. he started to produce Olivia’s records on his own in 1972, and “If You Love Me, Let Me Know” was certified double platinum. Farrar got a Grammy as producer of “I Honestly Love You.”
The album “Have You Never Been Mellow” was certified double platinum; the “Grease” soundtrack multi-platinum, and the albums “Clearly Love,” “Come On Over,” Olivia Newton-John’s Greatest Hits,” and “Totally Hot” were all certified platinum.
Farrar moved to Los Angeles in 1977. He wrote and produced five original songs for XANADU – “Magic,” “Suddenly,” Whenever You’re Away From Me,” “Suspended In Time,” and “Dancin’” plus some incidental music for the film. He has also been writing and producing his own solo album as a songwriter/performer. It’s scheduled for release by CBS Records in Spring 1980.
“….is it a dream? When will it end?”
KENNY ORTEGA
Co-Choreographer
Kenny Ortega is a specialist in rock ‘n roll dance. He’s also choreographed many musicals for the stage, making him a perfect choice to co-choreograph XANADU.
He began dance lessons at the age of four, studying tap, jazz, ballet acrobatics, and flamenco. Ortega, while still in his teens, joined the San Francisco company of “Hair.”
Ortega has directed and choreographed numerous local productions of such shows as “Mame,” and “Finian’s Rainbow.” A turning point in his career occurred when he meet The Tubes – who are featured in XANADU. He spent three years staging their act and performing with them all over the world.
Through The Tubes, he met Toni Basil, the Dance Queen of Rock ‘n Roll, who asked Kenny to direct her show, “Follies Bizarre.” This led to working with Cher, Raquel, Bette Midler, Ethel Merman, and Kiss.
His first film was assistant choreographer to Toni Basil on the rock sequence for Better Midler in “The Rose.” For television, he choreographed Olivia Newton-John’s recent TV special which aired on Oscar night.
JERRY TRENT
Co-Choreographer
Born in Danville, Illinois, Jerry Trent began tap and acrobatic lessons at the age of seven, followed by ballet and jazz classes.
In New York, Jerry’s first role was in “West Side Story,” at Paper Mill Playhouse, followed by “Camelot” on Broadway. He also did numerous industrial shows plus live TV, including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Bell Telephone Hour.
Upon moving to Los Angeles, Jerry danced in numerous films, including “Sweet Charity,” “Hello, Dolly!,” Funny Lady,” They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?,” and “Mame.”
Finding that he had outgrown dancing as a profession, he became a choreographer. Prior to XANADU, he assisted Onna White on “Pete’s Dragon,” Marc Breaux on “Sexette” and Michael Kidd on “Movie, Movie.” He also worked as assistant choreographer for Joey Heatherton, Bert Convy and Ginger Rogers on their nightclub acts.
“….I’m really down on love, so sit on your smile, I
won’t be needing anymore for a while….”
BOBBIE MANNIX
Costume Designer
Bobbie Mannix was born in Livingston, New jersey and educated at the Philadelphia Museum Collage of Art and the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. After leaving school, Mannix worked on Seventh Avenue as an assistant designer on Ann Klein and as a designer at Bardley Suits & Coats.
Then Bobbie moved to Los Angeles where she established her own company, Mannix Enterprises, to create television commercials and print advertising campaigns. Additionally, Mannix has designed costumes for several feature films including “At Long Last Love,” “Uncle Joe Shannon,” “The Warriors,” and “The Long Riders.” Presently, she is entering another phase, designing retail merchandise for her own label.
“….I’m alive and the world shines for me today….”
RICHARD CHRISTIAN DANUS
Co-Writer
Richard Christian Danus, a native of New York City, quite school at fourteen and began a series of various jobs – elevator operator, waiter, colder, creative director of a New York advertising agency, actor and screen writer.
He first wrote episodic television for such series as Harry-O and McMillan and wrote several movie for television including “The Girls In The Office.” He recently completed two screenplays, one for MGM entitled “Air Raid,” which John Forman will produce and “Bandstand” for Dick Clark Productions.
MARC REID RUBEL
Co-Writer
Marc Reid Rubel, a native of Los Angeles, is a graduate of San Francisco State with a BA in film. He has worked as a professional writer since the age of sixteen. Rubel is a past recipient of the James D. Phelan award for literature by San Francisco Foundation.
He currently is the contributing editor of “Surfing” magazine.
“….when shadows fall, when day is done, all through the night,
all of my life, don’t walk away….”
DON BLUTH PRODUCTIONS
Animation Sequence
Don Bluth Productions has created a magical two-minute animated sequence for XANADU, utilizing the character Kira and Sonny, portrayed in the film by Olivia Newton-John and Michael Beck. The animated segment illustrates the song “Don’t Walk Away” written by Jeff Lynne and Electric Light Orchestra.
The XANADU animated sequence will be the first feature theatrical release for Don Bluth productions, a newly formed animation studio whose members were formerly associated with Walt Disney Studios. Don Bluth Studios is currently in full production on the animated theatrical feature “Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of N. I. M. H.”
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
(Kira)
Born in Ambridge, England and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Olivia Newton-John won her first talent contest at 15. She received first prize which was a trip to England. For the next two years she stayed there, performing as part of a duo with another Australian girl, Pat Carroll, appearing in cabarets and on numerous shows on BBC Television. Olivia’s very first single recorded in England, Bob Dylan’s tune, “If Not For You”, was extremely successful.
Her next single, “Banks Of The Ohio,” won her an English Silver Disc and an Australian Gold Disc at the same time she was charming audiences throughout Europe while touring with Cliff Richard show. She then became a regular guest on the BBC-TV series, “It’s Cliff Richard.” It was with Richard she sings the duet, “Suddenly,” in XANADU. In 1971 and 1972, she was voted as the Best British Girl Singer by the readers of pop weekly newspaper Record Mirror.
Olivia’s world-wide prominence continued to grow in 1973 with her first Grammy as Best Country Vocalist for the gong, “Let Me Be There.” Since then, her list of awards has multiplied each year, with two more Grammys in 1974, a total of eight American Music Awards since 1974, and multiple honors from Record World, Billboard, Cashbox, the Academy of Country Music, The Country Music Association, AGVA, ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), and the People’s Choice, just to name a few.
Immediately after completing an SRO tour of the United States, which was highlighted by Olivia’s concert at the prestigious New York City Metropolitan Opera House, she began filming her first major film, “Grease,” co-starring John Travolta. The most successful musical film ever made, “Grease,” has broken box office records around the world, grossing over 150 million dollars in international rentals alone.
However, “Grease’s” successes were not limited to the film world – the soundtrack album was at the top of the charts for months, and awarded multi-platinum honors. Olivia’s three release (“You’re The One That I Want,” Summer Nights,” “Hopelessly Devoted To You”) were certified gold and remained in the pop charts throughout 1978. They were just as phenomenally successful all around the world, topping all the international music charts. Olivia’s most recent album is “Totally Hot” for MCA Records.
“….I get a feeling when I’m with you, none of the
rules apply….”
GENE KELLY
(Danny McGuire)
Gene Kelly is a living legend, famed as an actor, singer, dancer and choreographer. He also has earned greats distinction as a producer and director for motion pictures, television and the Broadway stage.
A native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Gene got up and act with his brother, Fred, playing amateur nights and small nightclubs in order to put himself through collage during the Depression. Later he began staging local shows and teaching dancing classes.
Kelly decided to try his luck on Broadway in the summer of 1938. The first job he landed was in the Cole Porter show “Leave It To Me.” This was followed by “One For the Money” and “The Time Of Your Life” and choreography assignments for Billy Rose’s Diamond Horseshoe and the show “Best Foot Forward.” Rodger and Hart’s “Pal Joey,” made Kelly a real Broadway star and the offers from Hollywood stared coming in.
Although initially contracted by David O. Selznick, Kelly’s first film was “For Me And My Gal” at MGM with Judy Garland, the first of 28 films he would make for that studio. MGM loaned him to Columbia for “Cover Girl” with Rita Hayworth and to Universal for “Christmas Holiday” with Deanna Durbin, but after that he was considered too valuable to be loaned out again, and his dream of filming “Pal Joey” at Columbia was never realized.
Kelly’s collaboration with the superb talent working at MGM produced some of the greatest musical films ever made including “On The Town,” “An American In Paris,” It’s Always Fair Weather,” Anchors Aweigh,” “Summer Stock,” “Words & Music,” “Brigadoon,” and “Singing In The Rain” which has been termed by critic Pauline Kael as “just about the best Hollywood musical of all time.”
In 1952 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science awarded Kelly an Oscar: “In appreciation of his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer; and specially for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film.”
Through the years the versatile Kelly has starred in numerous dramatic or comedic roles in such films as “The Three Musketeers,” “The Black Hand,” Marjorie Morningstar,” “Inherit The Wind,” “What A Way To Go,” and “Forty Carats.”
“The Happy Road” and “The Tunnel Of Love” established him as a director of non-musical films. He also directed “Gigot,” “A Guide For The Married Man,” and “The Cheyenne Social Club,” as well as “Hello, Dolly!” Gene was co-narrator for “That’s Entertainment,” Part II, for which he also directed new sequences.
On Broadway, he directed “Flower Drum Song.”
Kelly has also worked frequently on television. His first appearance was on Playhouse 90 in 1956. Since that time he has starred in several of his own series, Going My Way and The Funny Side, and has been host, star, guest star or narrator of countless specials. He also has appeared in Las Vegas at the International Hotel with his own, “Gene Kelly and his Wonderful World of Girls,” and at Resorts International in Atlantic City.
“….she walks in, and I’m suddenly a hero,
I’m taken in, my hope begin to rise….”
MICHAEL BECK
(Sonny Malone)
Michael Beck, one of America’s most gifted young actors, was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up on a farm across the Mississippi at Horseshoe lake, Arkansas, one of nine children.
Michael entered Millsap College in Jackson, Mississippi on a football scholarship, where he was a quarterback.
In his junior year a friend dared him to try out for a play. He did, and was cast as Tybalt in “Romeo And Juliet.” During his last two years at Millsap he became very active in theatre. Lance Goss, the head of the drama department at the college, recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue a professional career. He suggested that Michael go to England and train there following his graduation.
Back went to London in the summer of 1971. He was accepted at the Central School of Speech and Drama where he spent three years learning his craft, along the way losing his Southern accent. Michael then spent another two years in England performing with various repertory companies.
Five weeks after arriving back in Manhattan, after five years in England, Michael not only had an agent, but found himself cast as a lead in an independent film entitled “Madman,” which was shot in Israel for two-and-a-half months during the spring of 1977. Upon completion of the film, Michael went back to New York where he was cast in Holocaust, which necessitated his return to Europe and spending thirteen weeks in Austria.
Writer-director Walter Hill screened “adman” to see footage on Sigourney Weaver, whom he was considering for “Alien,” which he co-produced. He was so impressed with Michael’s work that he suggested to producer Larry Gordon that Michael be cast as the lead in “The Warriors,” a Lawrence Gordon Production which Hill both wrote and directed.
Following “The Warriors” Back was by George Schaefer in Mayflower: The Pilgrim Adventure, a CBS-TV Movie of the Week which aired in the fall of 1979, and also starred Anthony Hopkins.
In the fall of 1980, Beck will be seen in Alcatraz: The Rock And Clarence Carnes, a two-part, four-hour Movie of the Week for NBC.
“….a place, where nobody dared to go, the love that
we came to know, they call it Xanadu….”