1. The Hickeys that Rizzo had on her neck were actually real ones!
It was revealed in an interview that Jeff Conaway insisted on giving her real ones!
2. ‘You’re The One That I Want’ only took one afternoon to film!
Which was surprising considering how long some of the other songs took and how long the actual song is! I suppose a lot of it is in long segments but it’s still seriously impressive!
3. Grease was actually the highest grossing movie of 1978
It is still a huge hit to this day with its soundtrack and watched all the time by a lot of people. It was one of the highest grossing films of the decade and since it’s time on the big screen it has been moved to the stage!
4. ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ was actually recorded after filming had stopped
The film team decided that the final film needed a ballad. So, they got Olivia Newton-John to come back and film this after the movie had wrapped. It was a pretty simple scene but it definitely played a big part in the movie and was a masterstroke by the guys behind the idea.
5. During the filming of ‘Greased Lightning’ Jeff Conaway was actually dropped on his back by his fellow cast members
This lead to him being prescribed painkillers, which later resulted in an addiction. Not good for Jeff at all. But what a scene it made!
6. The Guardian Angel role was originally offered to Elvis Presley
The King was originally offered a role in the film, but Elvis was just too big for the role and turned down the role. It would’ve been an incredible cameo but the scene is still great.
7. Throughout filming Jeff Conaway had to walk slightly stooped when he stood next to John Travolta
Jeff Conway was much taller than John Travolta and was actually made to slouch when the two were stood in the same scene next to each other to make John look taller and ultimately more attractive.
8. When filming started John Travolta was 23 and Olivia Newton-John was 28
The five year age gap meant nothing.. it was the fact they were supposed to be high school students that shocks us about their real ages!
9. For a long period of time, it was the third highest grossing film
This was after Jaws and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. The film made millions and still rakes in a bit of cash today. It makes most of its money now on the stage with productions being shown all around the world.
10. In the scene under the bridge near the car race, the water shown was actually stagnant and very dangerous
A few of the cast members ended up getting ill simply from being around it! It was integral to the scene but you’d think there was something they could do about it?
11. The film was set back in 1958
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So about two decades before the film was released! It was always tricky to tell when it was actually set but hearing this it makes them look ahead of the trends at the time!
12. Following on from the release, fan theories came to light.
One was that Sandy actually drowned and the scene where they fly off in the car is actually her final descent up to heaven. It’s a pretty sad theory but it actually makes sense. In the first scene of the movie they meet on a beach and through song Danny explains he saved her life – she nearly drowned.
13. Carrie Fisher was actually considered for the role of Sandy
However, the director wasn’t convinced and had to carry on looking. Though Olivia Newton-John played the role amazingly it would’ve been interesting to see Carrie Fisher as the lead.
14. Several of the music numbers were not used in the film
Instead, they were played in the background in some of the scenes! Imagine even more songs in the movie? Surely it’s the only way it could’ve been better?
15. Jeff Conaway used to have a HUGE crush on Olivia Newton-John
However, he later ended up marrying her sister – Rona!
16. It was actually filmed in a real high school!
The school was Venice High School in Venice, CA and is still teaching today!
17. It was such a huge hit but was only nominated for one Oscar
This was unusual considering how popular it was. The Oscar was for a song that wasn’t even meant to be in the film!
18. Jeff Conaway played the role of Danny on Broadway
However, he was cast as Kenickie for the film. Interesting!
19. John Travolta played the role of Doodie in the Broadway shows!
But, he was delighted when he was promoted to the lead role!
20. The stage show and the film differ
Sandy was actually meant to be an all-American girl like she is in the shows. However, they wanted to cast Olivia Newton-John so they changed the background of the character just to suit her!
21. It is on the 1001 must-see movies before you die
And we all know exactly why it is on this list!
22. Olivia Newton-John took a little part of the set home with her as a memory
She took her leather pants home with her and still owns them! But, she has never worn them since.
23. Jeff Conaway had a fling with Susan Buckner during the filming of this show
But, he never got the girl he wanted.
24. Didi Conn (Frenchy) actually managed to get a sneak-peak of the script before her audition
She had to sneak under a security guards desk to do so… but she managed to get it!