FIRST SEEN: Home video. I was in Germany when it was released.

FAVORITE SCENE: The "Prowling" production number.

FAVORITE LINE: "I got a rep to protect."


AWARDS: None :-(

It may be hard for younger generations to understand that, before the late 1970s, there were very few sequels produced. I mean some films, like the James Bond series, continued on with different stories but with the exception of the occasional family comedy (Father of the Bride/Father's Little Dividend) once the film ended, the story did as well. In 1975 20th Century Fox took Popeye Doyle to France in "French Connection II." Linda Blair and Richard Burton showed up in "Exorcist II: The Heretic." And Roy Scheider took big money and a great sun tan to reappear in "Jaws 2." Ironically, on the same day "Jaws 2" openend (June 16, 1978) another highly anticipated film hit theatres as well: "Grease." Based on the highly successful Broadway musical and starring the biggest star on the planet at the time, John Travolta, the film went on to become the highest grossing musical of all time (an additional $28 million during it's 1998 reissue keeps it there). Paramount had talked to the stars (Travolta and Olivia Newton John) about a sequel but nothing came of the discussions. Then someone launched the brilliant idea of having a new set of boys and girls attend Rydell High School, with only a few familiar faces around to connect to the first film.

When the film went into preproduction, the hardest task was finding a director. Eventually the studio gave the job to Pat Birch, who had not only choreographed the original musical but the film as well. The suits figured since she was going to be in charge of all the musical numbers already, why not let her oversee the non musical ones as well. The story is basically a reverse of the original films plot. In "Grease," new girl Sandy comes to Rydell and falls for tough guy Danny Zuko. Here, new guy Michael (played by Maxwell Caulfield) (according to the script, Sandy's cousin) comes to Rydell and falls for tough girl Stephanie Zinone (Michelle Pfeiffer). Sadly, Stephanie has a boyfriend in the personage of Johnny Nogarelli (Adrian Zmed), now head of the T-Birds. What amuses me here is that the film goes out of it's way to make all of the "undesireables" in the film ethnic. Joining Johnny are his fellow T-Birds Louis DeMucci (Peter Frechette), Davey Jaworski (Leif Green) and Goose McKenzie (Christopher McDonald). In the first film, Sandy Olsson (her last name in the play was Dumbrowski but it was changed to accomodate ONJ being from Australia. I guess no one ever transferred to high school from Poland) meets up with Danny Zuko, who, with the exception of Stockard Channing's Betty Rizzo, are the only characters with last names. Just a thought but something that stood out to me.

Rydell is still peppered with some familiar faces, including Principal McGee (Eve Arden) and her assistant Blanche (Dody Goodman). Coach Calhoun (Sid Ceaeser)still teaches gym while Frenchy (Didi Conn) is now teaching home ec. What I found funny is that Eugene (Eddie Deezan), made out to be a brainy nerd, is still in school. How in the hell did Danny, Kenickie and the others graduate and he's still here?

"Grease 2" was not a hit, with critics or fans, when it was released. Coming out the same day as "E.T." certainly didn't help. Yet, taken as a stand alone film, it's not that bad. The cast is talented and the story is fun. And most of the songs are pretty good. A friend of mine who was in the movie business at the time told me that Paramount had screened the first five minutes of the film (the opening "Back to School" number) for theatre owners to much applause. However, for whatever reason, the public didn't connect with the film, which is a shame because as sequels go it's one of the better ones. And, thankfully, most of the cast survived and went on to bigger and better things.

The biggest star here, of course, is Pfeiffer, who is now a three time Academy Award nominated actress. She also has an amazing string of six consecutive Best Actress nominations from the Golden Globes (1989-1994). As for the other Pink Ladies, one who I thought should have had a great career was Lorna Luft, who played Paulette. The daughter of Judy Garland and step-sister of Liza Minelli, Luft only had a few television credits under her belt when she was cast in "Grease 2." She later went on to write the memoir "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows," which was made into a multi Emmy award winning mini series. The only other Pink Lady to succeed was the youngest, Pamela Aldon, who played Paulette's sister and tag along. She has had a very successful television career and in 2002 won an Emmy for providing the voice of Bobby Hill in "King of the Hill."

On the guy side, the luck was a little better. Caulfield, who made his film debut here, could not escape the Carrington name, landing a recurring role on "Dynasty" and then it's spinoff series, "The Colbys." Younger fans may remember him from "Empire Records." He has continued a very successful career in his native England and has been married to Juliet Mills (Nanny and the Professor) since 1980. Adrian Zmed went from "Grease 2" to "T J Hooker," where he played officer Vince Romano. He also had a brilliant part in the Tom Hanks comedy, "Bachelor Party." He also hosted the television series "Dance Fever" for three seasons. He continues to work in television and on Broadway, where he has played Danny Zuko in "Grease" opposite his then-wife Susan Wood. I had the genuine pleasure of catching Zmed and the Cassidy brothers (David and Shawn) in a production of "Blood Brothers" on Broadway and was truly impressed with his performance. Another T-Bird was Christopher McDonald, who played Goose. Goose was the "slow" one in the group, hoping to win his share of "Roy Or bi son al bum ums." McDonald is a constant fixture in films and on television and has appeared in such movies as "Quiz Show," "The Perfect Storm" and as the hated Shooter McGavin in "Happy Gilmore." Peter Frechette (DiMucci) is a Tony and Emmy award nominated actor who has appeared in several episodes of "Law and Order." An internet rumor has him dying of AIDS, but I assure you he is very much alive and working. Ironically, there is a bit of "Grease" in this film, actor Matt Latanzi, who had appeared with Olivia Newton John in "Xanadu," as well as several of her videos and married the actress in 1984. Director Birch continues to work on Broadway where she has been nominated for five Tony Awards as well as choreographing films.

Tune in next week when we look at one of the most irreverant films ever, the hilarious "Monty Python's Life of Brian."

Well, that's all for now. Have a great week. See ya!