I remember idolizing this movie in my parents family room at about 5 years old when it came on cable (novelty at the time). Since then, I've seen it spordically on cable-haven't yet bought it on DVD. No matter how old I get, I will always see this movie and remember the first time I saw it. When did you first see the "magic" in Xanadu?
share[deleted]
I was 12 when this movie was released and I loved it. I love musicals...loved Grease and everything Gene Kelley has been in. It's too bad the script is awful in this movie and the dialogue is terrible...It might have been pretty good and could have held up over time. It's surprising Gene Kelley agreed to do this no matter how close to his home it was. At first I thought he directed this one.
shareIt stands out for me so much, because I think like you, the music and choreography were so mesmerizing..not to mention who didn't and doesn't love Olivia. I link this movie back to my childhood...early 80s, and tho the script and dialogue are far from oscar-worthy, there is definately some magic or a little bit of nostalgia . :)
My three year old daughter was intrigued by it when it was on TV yesterday. :)
What stood out the most are the scenes with Gene and Olivia. I love the Big Band theme and the dancing. But, the soundtrack on this movie was awesome. I remember rollerskating to Magic, Xanadu and Suddenly.
[deleted]
I remember watching this movie 11 or 12 times when I was 11 because I thought ONJ was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in a movie. I am now 35, and no one has caught my attention the way she did in Xanadu.
shareI saw this movie on Aug. 15, 1980 in Memphis, Tennessee and I seem to recall that was the day it was released but I could be mistaken on the actual release date. I remember the exact date I saw it because I took my girlfriend to dinner and to see this movie as it was her 20th birthday. Olivia was at her peak back then and she was so feminine and beautiful.............with a lovely voice.
share[deleted]
I would guess I was about 13 or 14 when I first saw the film. I did not go to see it in the theatre. I love this film and don't find it cheesy or corny. It is a film you watch and it puts a smile on your face and makes you happy. Isn't that what films are for.
I have always loved Olivia Newton-John. I love her soft voice and her acting is also very good. She is also one of the most attractive woman of the 70's and 80's. Gene Kelly has always been a favorite and it was a joy to see him at it again. I also will defend Michael Beck. I have only seen him in this film and I tohught he was great.
I would love to see a special edition DVD with deleted scenes and commentary by the two leads. I am watching it right now and I love it. Every song in the film is great. Finally ELO deserves a lot of credit for the other songs in the film. They are a very unique group.
I was only 9 when this was released in theatres, too young to cast the deciding vote on which movies we saw the few times we went. So I waited and waited for it to come on TV; and finally--exactly four years later--it did.
It debuted on CBS at 8:00 CST, but unfortunately my high-strung mother threw a fit over the accidental burning of a pizza in the oven right in the middle of "Suspended in Time." (In retrospect, probably the best time for it to happen.) I would have forgiven her if it wasn't part of a huge pattern of narcissism that resulted in hysterics whenever things didn't go right. But I digress.
Anyway, I already knew the three hit songs from "Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2" released in 1982 (Remember "Heart Attack"?) Even so, after seeing the movie on TV I had to go get the whole soundtrack (to this day, the best $8.98 + tax I've ever spent), not to mention get a hold two 45's that had "You Made Me Love You" and the "Fool/Country" medley on the flip sides. I lived vicariously through the music until I finally got my own VHS copy in 1994.
The LP record soundtrack had all those great photo stills from the movie inside, which thankfully were reproduced on the CD.
HAPPY ENDING: The Music Box theatre in Chicago had four midnight screenings last summer, and I finally got to see XANADU in all its big screen glory!! The tiny auditorium was full, and aside from the guy who one night thought it was his job to entertain the rest of us, it was worth the wait!!!
[deleted]
I must have been about 5 when I saw it the first time, it is one of my mom's favorites so I watched it a lot with her and of course fell in love with it myself. Now I'm almost 25 and 20 years can't take away any of the magic. I still love it, cheesy lines and all. The music is great (woo hoo ELO!) and really who can argue with dance numbers on roller skates! It's funny, I'm actually borrowing my mom's old car for a couple of days and when I started it up guess what came on...oh that's right, the Xanadu soundtrack was in her cassette player! :) I listened to the whole thing and sang along (once those lyrics are in your head they never leave), and it made me really want to watch the movie again. In fact, I think that's what I'm going to go do now. Time to break out the old VHS collection. Good way to spend my day off. I love that there are still Xanadu fans out there, you guys are great!!!
"Xanadu your neon lights will shine..."
Hmmmmm...I was in the third grade. Me and my best friend Matt went to a saturday mattine, we were the only ones in the theater, it was like our own private showing. I remember the 80's new-wave band blowing my mind.. I also loved the opening muse dancer's coming to life...the purple neon glow was sooo cool. The 40's stuff was a bit boring, but the music was so good it made up for it. The song 'Magic' still gives me chills hehehe
My mother searched for a copy for years, and finally brought it home when I was four (I think; might have been even younger, because I wasn't in school yet and I started preschool when I was four).
I still love it. "Magic" owns. Royally. I really want to find a soundtrack for this . . .
They call me, they call me, Nina . . .
Your star is due for shooting ~ Anthony Rapp
[deleted]
Ooh, thanks! And I was just making a memo to self. *is happy*
They call me, they call me, Nina . . .
Your star is due for shooting ~ Anthony Rapp
I first saw this when I was around 6 and I enjoyed the music. Im 22 now and I still love the music. My parents copied it on tape around 1983 and for the past 4 years, I have been looking for it on DVD and the soundtrack. I just found both and I gave the DVD to my mother for her birthday and she took my soundtrack, lol. Gene Kelly stole the show, especially in "Whenever your away from Me".
shareI think I first saw this movie when I was like 5 years old and remember thinking it was the most god awful movie of all time. That theme song haunted my nightmares for a while. I forgot this movie even existed however until just a minute ago. Now the shear thought of watching it again makes me sick to my stomach. I'm 22 now. Funny how some movies can leave a lasting impression on you like this.
shareI remember I was 12 when I first saw this movie. The thing is that I was born six years after (1986) Xanadu was realeased. I fell in love with it right away. I am now 20 and Xanadu will never be too old for me.
share