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Tonight let’s take a look back at the 1980 film Xanadu starring Olivia Newton-John, Michael Beck, and Gene Kelly. Newton-John was nominated for a Grammy for her performance of “Magic,” though she didn’t win. The film was also nominated for seven Razzies (in the Razzies’ first year) and won one (Worst Director, Robert Greenwald). Despite generally poor reviews from film critics, the film’s soundtrack was a huge hit, spawning five Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
First up, the title track “Xanadu” performed by Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra (ELO):
“Xanadu” Theme
“Xanadu” Trailer
“The most dazzling, romantic musical fantasy in years.” Starring Michael Beck, “who thrilled you in The Warriors.” Ahem.
“Xanadu” Dance Mix
Clips from the movie and a soundalike singer make this, um, electrifying dance mix:
“Magic” Music Video
“Xanadu” Performed Live
That’s a real sparkly purty dress, Ms. Newton-John.
“Xanadu” Re-recorded in 2000 by Jeff Lynne
Weird.
“Xanadu” Karaoke/Cover
YouTube user wimpy1267 sings the hell out of “Xanadu” in this webcam performance. As I post this, the video has only 90 views…I suspect she’ll get a lot more now! (Also, check out her version of “Magic,” another song from the film.)
“Xanadu” Karaoke Version
Want to sing the lead? Try this karaoke version….
Comments (14)
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Just seeing the title on that first clip with “Xanadu” and “High Quality” both appearing together in the same frame – that has to be the first time that’s ever happened.
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 8-26-2009 at 10:10 pm
“Tonight let’s take a look back at the 1980 film Xanadu…”
This is a sentence one uses to clear a room. Late 70s/early 80s kitsch is fine, but that movie was an enormous waste of good film stock. I can’t find anything good to say about it, hard as I try.
posted by Johnny Cat on 8-26-2009 at 10:55 pm
I can’t even tell you how much I loved this movie when I was a kid. Then, I tried to watch it as an adult and almost died of shame. It’s horrrrrrrible. I blame Michael Beck, because Olivia + Gene Kelly + roller skates SHOULD be movie gold!
posted by Jenny on 8-26-2009 at 11:02 pm
You should also consider that Xanadu came out right about the same time as “The Blues Brothers” – possibly the greatest movie ever made. Hardly a comparison.
I heard Xanadu was up for Broadway next.
posted by DMC on 8-27-2009 at 12:18 am
Xanadu already came and went on Broadway.
posted by VM on 8-27-2009 at 12:55 am
The trailer made realize that I was lucky to grow up in an era where trailers were voiced over by Don LaFontaine.
posted by Joe on 8-27-2009 at 9:02 am
I think we all need to lighten up a bit, here. Xanadu is far from the worst movie ever made. Let’s take a look at some of the positive points of this unique movie:
1) GREAT songs
2) Gene Kelly – he sings, he dances, he rollers skates and he fakes playing the clarinet quite well
3) A great Don Bluth animation sequence
4) It’s a nice little time capsule for the transition from the 70’s to the 80’s
5) Olivia Newton-John’s leg warmers
This movie may not be ‘cool’ by today’s cynical standards, but it certainly can be a lot of fun when viewed with the proper mindset.
posted by Brandi on 8-27-2009 at 10:25 am
“‘The Warriors’ opened a lot of doors in film, for me, which ‘Xanadu’ then closed.” -Michael Beck
posted by Jim on 8-27-2009 at 12:28 pm
I grew up listening to ELO….my boyfriend grew up lusting after Olivia….Xanadu brings people together. :)
posted by brittany on 8-27-2009 at 1:58 pm
I’m with Jenny. I loved it as a kid and spent hours roller skating around in a dress and leg warmers. I found it one day on cable about 10 years ago and for the first time realized why everyone thought I was so strange as a child.
My sister actually bought me the DVD for a joke at Christmas a couple of years back. My 9-year-old daughter absolutely loves it so I guess it was a well spent $5.
I do have to say that I still love the music. The story was way cheesy, but the music is still awesome.
posted by bzzyb on 8-27-2009 at 2:39 pm
Is it me or does it seem innocent,like it was made by a fourteen year old girl in the first blush of love? Certainly not a cinematic masterpiece but even good hearted dreck has a place somewhere.
posted by harpo on 8-27-2009 at 3:07 pm
I couldn’t belive a great actor/singer like Gene Kelly would star in this trash. Must have been despearate for the money or believed the hype that it would be a good show.
posted by themoi on 8-27-2009 at 4:06 pm
While not perfect, (and not really a disco movie, either)”Xanadu” is a lot of fun and perhaps its bad reputation precedes itself. Like many others on this post, I fell in love with this movie when I was a wee lad of only 11 and never looked back! As much as I love it, I have to admit, it is a little fun to pick on it! (Someone once remarked that Olivia Newton John dances as well as your average 5 year old at a recital. LOL)
And to those of you who dislike “Xanadu,” you should really check out the Village People trainwreck “Can’t Stop the Music.” (yes, 1980 was not the best year for musicals). Makes “Xanadu” look like “Casablanca.” No. Really.
posted by Marty on 8-27-2009 at 11:25 pm
igrew up watching xanadu and i still love it to this day! i think alot of people probably secretly like it but just have to jump on the xanadu sucks bandwagon because they dont have minds of their own! ive seen the same thing happen with another childhood favorite- howard the duck! people will never admit they like it! i feel so lucky to have grown up in the 80s! what a fun decade it was! and i still get all warm and fuzzy when i watch the magical movies they made back then!
posted by lindsay on 2-9-2010 at 1:39 am