Staying Alive (1983)

It's five years later and Tony Manero's Saturday Night Fever is still burning. Now he's strutting toward his biggest challenge yet - succeeding as a dancer on the Broadway stage.

Director:

Sylvester Stallone

Writers:

Nik Cohn (characters), Sylvester Stallone

Stars:

John Travolta, Cynthia Rhodes, Finola Hughes

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Travolta	...	Tony Manero
Cynthia Rhodes	...	Jackie
Finola Hughes	...	Laura
Steve Inwood	...	Jesse
Julie Bovasso	...	Mrs. Manero
Charles Ward	...	Butler
Steve Bickford	...	Sound Technician
Patrick Brady	...	Derelict
Norma Donaldson	...	Fatima
Jesse Doran	...	Mark
Joyce Hyser	...	Linda
Deborah Jenssen	...	Margaret
Robert Martini	...	Fred
Sarah M. Miles	...	Joy (as Sarah Miles)
Tony Munafo	...	Doorman

Storyline

In this sequel to Saturday Night Fever, former disco king Tony Manero has left Brooklyn and lives in Manhattan. He stays in a cheap hotel and works as a dance instructor and as a waiter at a dance club, trying to succeed as a professional dancer on Broadway. The breakaway from his Brooklyn life, family and friends seems to have matured Tony and refined his personality, represented by his diminished accent and his avoidance of alcohol and profanity. However, certain attitudes have not changed, as with his most recent girlfriend, who's also the singer of a local rock band.

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Plot Keywords:

1980s | broadway | dancer | dance | stage | 

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Taglines:

It's five years later for Tony Manero. The fever still burns!

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Saturday Night Fever 2

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$63,800,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Cinema Group Ventures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Travolta was once touted to going to be starring in the film version of A Chorus Line (1985) which was in development around the time. Travolta did not end up being in that movie, but what was ironic, was that this film had a New York Broadway chorus line storyline.

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Goofs

When Tony tries out for the second show, he wears number 46. In one quick shot, he wears number 40, his number from the first tryout.

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Quotes

Tony Manero: Don't worry. She's in good hands.
Carl: And what are you, Allstate, pal?
Tony Manero: Yeah, you want disability?

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Connections

Referenced in Repo Man (1984)

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Soundtracks

Hope We Never Change
Performed by Frank Stallone and Cynthia Rhodes
Written by Frank Stallone, Vince DiCola and Joe Esposito (as Joe Bean Esposito)
Produced by Frank Stallone

User Reviews

Not far from over

I don't understand why critics always scorn this film. OK, it doesn't have the magic of its predecessor "Saturday Night Fever", but it works as an "80's point of view" of the original film. The thing is that you should watch this film as a single one, not a 'sequel'. It has nothing to do with "Saturday Night Fever" but the main character Tony Manero (once again played by John Travolta) and his mother (Julie Bovasso) in a brief appearance. Fast forward from 1977 to 1983. Now Tony wants to be a Broadway star and keeps his struggle for a more mature purpose, as he himself is more mature. Manero's "moody girl" here is Laura (Finola Hughes, not so convincing), who also looks down on him. The funniest thing about "Staying Alive" is that it is directed by Sylvester Stallone! (No one remembers...) The soundtrack is one of my favorite, although it didn't received the deserved attention at the time of its release, nor did the movie itself. (I think people were afraid of another 'Bee Gees fever'). After this film, Travolta's career fell out of the spotlight only to be retaken in late 80's with "Look Who's Talking". Summarizing, in my opinion it is a very good movie, but don't expect this to be another "Saturday Night Fever".