(Cheesy) Movies That I Love...Part 1

Growing up in the late 70's and 80's there was a plethora of movies that just embodied major cheese. Here is Part 1 of my faves list:

Xanadu

The movie starred Olivia Newton-John, Michael Beck and Gene Kelly

The plot itself was thinner than paper and the acting was well...meh!  But I didn't care.  Olivia played Kira, who was one of Greek Mythology's Zeus' daughters.  And she was a muse to both characters Sonny (Beck) and Danny (Kelly).  Sounds kind of cute right?  Well, they also roller skated, even Gene Kelly (who if it was really him skating, did a great job of it).  Xanadu came out in 1980, but though rollerskating had been the 'it' thing, at that point, I think the fad of rollerskating had hit it's peak and was on the decline.  So the movie was bad timing.  Anyway, the character of Sonny was an artist who painted larger versions of album covers (obviously at a time when records were still called albums).  He had some dream/vision of himself opening and running a dance/roller skating club.  He is down on his luck when he meets Kira, the mysterious rollerskating muse who wore prairie dresses and ribbons in her hair, and to be honest didn't exactly light the world on fire with her skating. She inspires him to make his dream come true.  Something she had apparently done for Kelly's character in the 1940's or something like that.  Michael eventually opens Xanadu (name of the club) and all is right in the world.  Hell even some Solid Gold dancers showed up to liven up the joint along with Ozone from the Breakin' films...another 80's gem.

The kick ass soundtrack is what really makes this movie.  ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) had a couple amazing songs on it: I'm Alive and All Over the World.  They also did the title song with Newton-John:  Xanadu. She also had two more hits from the movie: Magic and Suddenly (with Cliff Richard).  I just watched this movie a few weeks ago and it's still one of my all-time faves.

Keeping with the rollerskating theme, the next movie on my list is:

Roller Boogie

The movie starred Linda Blair and Jim Bray.

But unlike Xanadu, this one was made in 1979 when rollerskating was still hitting its stride.  Blair was no longer getting "Excorised" and Bray was a professional rollerskater, not an actor by any means.  But who cares!!!  He was cute and rocked an overly feathered hair like no one's business.  When I watch this one (which I own on DVD) it brings me back to a time when things were uncomplicated. This movie was a typical teen love story where the rich girl falls in love with the poor boy.  They fight and make up then fight then make up some more. Terry (Blair) ends up paying Bobby James (Bray) to teach her how to skate. And of course they fall in love.  But the story needed another conflict. Which came in the form of the rollerskating rink called Jammers.  Poor Jammers was on the brink of being bought out by some big bad mean developers who wanted to demolish it.  Jammer, the owner, didn't have the money or clout to stop the bad guys.  So of course Terry and Bobby James to the rescue.  They come up with an idea for a Roller Boogie contest to raise the money.  And I'm sure I don't need to tell you how it ends. But I will anyway. Jammers is saved!  Surprised?  Didn't think so.

At the end of the movie, Terry and Bobby tearfully end their brief relationship because she was heading off to Juiliard (to play the flute) while he was staying back to pursue his dream of going to the Rollerskating Olympics or something to that effect.

Famous line: "Keep the change, Bobby James" and if you have seen the movie, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Right Melissa...little inside joke there!

Clothing:  lots of satin/spandex and Heaven t-shirts (nod to the novelty store "Heaven" that was popular back then)

The soundtrack to this movie was terrific as well but good luck finding an actual copy of it. I got lucky a few years ago when I found this website that had all the songs listed for downloading along with tons of Roller Boogie factoids.  I burned the songs onto a CD and now have them on my iPod.  Cher sung the opening song called Hell on Wheels and some dude named Bob Esty sung the best song on it called The Roller Boogie.  Now that's some good stuff. By the way, after many internet searches, not too much information of what became of Jim Bray.  So he will forever be Bobby James in my eyes!

Moving away from the rollerskating, how about a sequel to one of the biggest musicals of all time:

Grease 2

The movie starred:  Michelle Pfeiffer, Maxwell Caulfield, and Adrian Zmed

Ah yes.  Back in 1982, the inevitable sequel to Grease was made.  Much to the chagrin of many Grease lovers.  And I will admit it doesn't hold a candle to the original but screw that, it was still fun in all it's cheesy goodness.  The story was quite similar to Grease but with the roles reversed.  Caulfield played Michael, a nerd (but cute of course) who transferred from England and Pfeiffer played Stephanie, the tough talking head of the Pink Ladies.  I am sure you can guess where this is going.  He's smart, she's not.  He stalks her (well not really) and does whatever he can do to snag her.  Because according to her, the guy she was looking for had to be a "Cool Rider."  So of course Michael, incognito I might add, restores an old motorcycle and miraculously becomes Evil Knievel overnight.  She goes ga ga over him, all without knowing his true identity of course.  Lots of good songs and some funny stuff, though some unintentional. Like Michael's song called Charades.  Oy!  I love the soundtrack but that song is just plain awful. There are some good ones though.  Such as: Back to School Again, Reproduction, and Who's That Guy.

And the movie prop people really slacked off in the clothing and styling department.  Stephanie's clothes and hair were pure 80's fashions.  Right down to satin jackets which were popular in the late 70's and 80's.  Yes I had one!

This movie was panned big time, but its another one I proudly own on DVD and pop in every once in awhile.

If you haven't seen these three classics, check out the You Tube links or look for them on television.


Stay tuned for Part 2...