KEEP IT OLDSKOOL MOVIE OF THE WEEK



Saturday Night Fever was released in 1977. The movie directed by John Badham was in instant smash and in rare class of cult and critic favorite. The movie further propelled Welcome Back Kotter TV show actor John Travolta into super stardom.The movie is also known for its dance scenes as well as soundtrack.

The movie centers around main character Tony Manero (Travolta)  and his merry bunch of hooligans.Tony works a dead end job at paint store all week while living at home with his parents. Tony cruises along during the week till he gets to the weekend where he can cut loose. Tony is an exceptional dancer that is known throughout the entire area. There are subplots as most movies have them regarding a dance contest,gang fights and a love interest. Along with his buddies we watch the endless cycle of work then dance. Tony's  former dance partner Annette (played by Donna Pescow) is pushed over for Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney). We watch as his friends descend into a deeply disturbing act. We also see his friend racked with despair regarding an unwanted pregnancy and of course we get to see Tony dance. The music is a much  of a character as the actors are .The movies of this era all have the inevitable climax in which a tragedy induces a realization and this movie is no different. In the end as Tony realizes that he needs to change is life we as an audience hold out hope that he will succeed.



This movie was considered a disco movie and rightfully so. The movie made on a budget of 3.5 million dollars went on to gross  $282,400.000. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack stayed on top of the Billboard charts for 24 weeks, had five number one singles and took three Australian brothers with the last name of Gibb(Bee Gees) into the pinnacle of their success. The movie featured 2 releases a PG non rape, on fight version and the R rated original version. In the late 90s the movie came back to the forefront as the British author of the article that the movie is based on and was reported to be a true story acknowledged that although based on a acquaintance did not have any of the things in the story happen to him. Most people think of this movie and only think of the dancing by John Travolta who was taught by Deney Terrio. But to do that does the great acting as well as story a disservice.That being said here are some dancing clips from the movie. (with an assist from the Bee Gees)

KEEP IT OLDSKOOL