Xanadu (1980)

The story of a girl who makes dreams come true.

Director:

Robert Greenwald

Writers:

Richard Christian Danus, Marc Reid Rubel

Stars:

Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Olivia Newton-John	...	Kira
Gene Kelly	...	Danny McGuire
Michael Beck	...	Sonny Malone
James Sloyan	...	Simpson
Dimitra Arliss	...	Helen
Katie Hanley	...	Sandra
Fred McCarren	...	Richie
Renn Woods	...	Jo (as Ren Woods)
Sandahl Bergman	...	Muse 1
Lynn Latham	...	Muse 2
Melinda Phelps	...	Muse 3
Cherise Bates	...	Muse 4 (as Cherise Bate)
Juliette Marshall	...	Muse 5
Marilyn Tokuda	...	Muse 6
Yvette Van Voorhees	...	Muse 7

Storyline

The Greek muses incarnate themselves on Earth to inspire men to achieve. One of them, incarnated as a girl named Kira, encounters an artist named Sonny Malone. With the help of Danny McGuire, a man Kira had inspired forty years earlier, Sonny builds a huge disco roller rink.

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Plot Keywords:

disco | artist | muse | interdimensional travel | santa monica california | 

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Taglines:

A Fantasy, A Musical, A Place Where Dreams Come True.

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Genres:

Fantasy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 August 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Xanadú

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$10,200,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (London premiere Print) Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally after their sunset walk, Kira and Sonny went back to Xanadu on the eve of its opening, where she sang "Suspended in Time" to him. The scene then transitioned to Sonny's apartment, where the tune finished and Kira then revealed her true nature. This version of the song was shot and was featured in the "Making Xanadu" TV special.

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Goofs

In "The Fall" musical sequence, Sonny roller skates alone along a beach-side boardwalk. In the opening shot, heat waves shimmer up from the ground, and passersby are dressed in bathing suits and other warm-weather clothing. In subsequent shots the sky is grey and the people in the background are wearing heavy winter coats.

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Quotes

Sonny: Tuesday's Wednesday.

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Crazy Credits

Opens with the 1930s-era Universal logo, with an airplane circling a globe; then it becomes a 50s-era passenger plane, then the Concorde, then the fourth time around as it becomes a spaceship. Instrumentals of "Whenever You're Away From Me" and "Xanadu" play under this, with musical styles matching the period of each aircraft.

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Connections

Referenced in Drowning Mona (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Suddenly"
Performed by Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard
Words and Music by John Farrar
Arranged by Steve Vining (uncredited)

User Reviews

The only way to tell if you like it is to watch it!

Although some might call this "Xanadon't" it has redeeming qualities. The music is the most redeeming. I've always liked ELO and their music carries this film.

Several movies of this type were made about the same time: "Roller Boogie", "Skatetown U.S.A.", etc. If you liked any of these you'll most likely like Xanadu.

This is one of those films you just have to watch and decide for yourself. As you can see just by what's been written here, opinions vary tremendously. And all are valid.

I gave this movie a 6 of 10 because I liked the music and sets.

Just try it. You may like it.