10 Things You Didn't Know About Xanadu

[@trinaq]

Rest in peace, Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly, you'll both be forever remembered and missed. 😇

[@Veronica.John10-10]

I didn't know she died

[@UATU.]

🌹

[@paulcowlishaw]

​@@Veronica.John10-10 8th August last year

[@SPIKE-0000]

@@Veronica.John10-10 Seriously??....It was all over the news at the time....

[@forcewielder2000]

@@Veronica.John10-10 Yeah, she died last August from a recurrence of the cancer she originally had in 1992.

[@wstine79]

Despite its cheesy moments, Xanadu was a fun movie. Olivia Newton John and Micheal Beck were great, the songs were fun, and Gene Kelly was superb in his swan song performance.

[@SonofNun123]

I had the fun of making a number of the Props for the Roller Rink. Those were the Fun days working at Universal Studios.

[@UATU.]

My little sister and I spent months wearing our swooshiest dresses with towels pinned around our heads for long hair, scraping around on clunky 70s metal roller skates. We sang at the top of our lungs, and I am still impressed that my mom didn’t have a nervous breakdown.

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

My friends and I drove our parents crazy singing songs from Grease!😀 Oh, the joys of childhood!!!!!!

[@wallyman292]

Those strap-on, metal roller skates would vibrate your feet so bad as you skated that they'd feel numb for a good half hour after you were done!

[@kellyanne7225]

Yes!!!❤ Same! When the roller skates were not on my feet, they doubled as my Barbie cars!

[@dman0044]

Yeah, you mean "younger sister". I remember those(there was a song).

[@waynegoin5534]

the mash up with the punk rock band and the swing (big Band) was sooooo awesome.

[@wstine79]

That was a cool sequence.

[@auldthymer]

The dancing was amazing!

[@cupidhart-james4277]

The Tubes!

[@daveerhardt1879]

I agree, it was.

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

Very impressive

[@TheEqualizer-iw1bz]

Being an ELO fan, I bought the soundtrack. ONJ’s vocals are incredible, full of emotion and nuance. Her duet with Cliff Richards and he sounds great too. But the best song is “Dancin’” with The Tubes - the melding of Big Band with Rock blew my kind, and still does, to this day. And ELO is classic with Jeff Lynne at the helm.

[@gomikmay]

Same here with the Big Band Rock meld.🤓

[@jaytrace1006]

That song is outstanding!!

[@pettee1979]

Was Dancin' the world's first mash-up?

[@bobbymak6964]

Great soundtrack. So so plot.

[@homefrontforge]

Liked the movie because I loved the sound track. ELO is awesome.

[@startoysomaha6361]

Ive introduced a lot of people to 'Xanadu' - it's not Citizen Kane but it is highly underrated. The "'Dancin'" sequence with the Tubes and the 40's big band is brilliant.

[@dee25u1]

Man! I don't care what anyone says, it's a good movie with good music, dancing, and legends! I used to watch this with my mom all the time! R.I.P Olivia and my mom!

[@kimfrank2417]

Yes it is great don’t listen to the critics

[@postersandstuff]

@@kimfrank2417 Xanadu is Mandrake the magicians house , heh

[@dman0044]

The special F/X are great , the lights going around the 9 sisters, Kira telling Sonny she was a Muse, started to say real name( TV bit was good) "Terpsichore" (Muse of Dance)- only got "Ter" out. I even found a book on Greek Mythology to find the name. I was sad to hear the Pan Pacific Auditorium burned down (Find the blueprints and rebuild the main shot portion) .The mural was removed after the film. I'm Alive part was really cool, Sandahl Bergman (Muse #1) Did "All that jazz" before Xanadu, Conan The Barbarian, later Stewardess School (Donny Most). I thought of (trying) to do the roller-skating bit. 1st part of the Finally. At a HS reunion.Get several others to join in (The Cheerleaders and Bunnies).

[@jeaninewright1936]

@@dman0044Thank you for that. Sandhal Bergman was actually a dancer and I loved her in the 1st Conan. Love, love, love this movie, the music of ONJ and of course ELO. Gene Kelly did An American In Paris and it was the pinnacle of his success as a dancer-choreographer and I was happy he starred in the movie. Weird fact Gene Kelly & Kobie Bryant share the same birthday and they were both perfectionist in their field of talent. RIP to ONJ, GK & Kobi.

[@dman0044]

@@jeaninewright1936 Yes,Sandahl was in All that jazz, the first Muse to come out of the mural (it was removed after the film finished filming). The Pan-Pacific auditorium burned down. The set was stored away.

[@kayleegoins9838]

I just want to say Thank You for doing this video on Xanadu. I was 6 years old when Xanadu hit the theaters. Everyone in the neighborhood saw it, and the music was on every ones tape deck or turntable. (I still have an original cassette, and my sister an LP). I wouldn't be able to state how many times I have sen this movie. Probably nearing 80 times (based on years it's been out). It's always fun to watch, and nostalgic for those of us who who were there. The scene that accompanies the song "Dancin'", is as unique as the song, and the scene for "Whenever You're away from Me", was fantastic too see the pair dancing. It probably introduced loads of younger people to "Big Band" music. I suppose you are probably right. Much of the style of the 1970's had already started to change by the late 70's. Perhaps associated with the change in music styles from popular 80's bands that actually started in the late 70's like Duran Duran, The Cure, U2, The Police and so many others. If you think about it, the movie is actually about that exact phenomenon. The change of styles and music over generations. As a note on that, my mother who was 38 at the time, also loved the movie and sound track. I will forever love this movie. It was a time... it was a place... it was a place in time for me. To this day, I listen to the soundtrack when I am doing house cleaning. (I also listen to "a-ha", but that's another story).

[@SharreIWright]

❤❤❤ I was 10 years old in 1980 and fell in love with Olivia Newton-John and....ELO

[@lollygameables4667]

This movie came out when I was seven years old and my girlfriends and I went nutsy bananas over it. We just watched it again and again, unable to get enough. I think the reason it's gaining popularity and recognition is because folks around my age are getting nostalgic and being older have the confidence to say 'Hey, we love this movie and think it's great.' It just something that was created to be wildly popular at the time, but in the end found a far more limited audience.

[@bazza5699]

haha. I was about to post the same, 'cept I didn't have any girlfriends.. it came out when I too was 7 years old. I was, and still am, a massive ELO fan, so to me this was the most amazing film I'd ever seen.. It seemed so futuristic at the time.. I've always loved it :) I love the opening sequence right from the UFO flying around the globe at the start to the billboard coming to life to the opening chords of 'I'm alive'

[@latenighter1965]

Im 58, this came out around my 15th or 16th birthday, I loved this movie, I've now watched it well over 1,000 times, I have it memorized more then anything ever in my entire life. I think I know more then Minty does... LOL

[@kiramadison5555]

I was also 7 when this came out. Weird. I have always loved, and will always love this movie. The soundtrack is amazing and I remember rollerskating to it. I always wanted Sonny’s jacket from the end, and I wanted to be Kira. I don’t care how cheesy it is, it’s one of my favorites!

[@bazza5699]

@@kiramadison5555 there was something magical about it. also the pan-pacific building looked so futuristic.. such a shame it burnt down in a fire.. Minty said those ELO songs were originally written for the next ELO album, that's interesting, I can't imagine them appearing on Time.. would be interesting to add them to the running order of Time to see if they would fit in.

[@Lesley_RedRhody]

I was six and my Brother was seven in 1980. Not only did we see _Xanadu_ multiple times on the big screen, I used to roller skate in our basement while listening, and singing to, the Soundtrack! Although _Grease_ came first, _Xanadu_ was my introduction to Olivia Newton-John (RIP). I didn’t give a shit what critics said in 1980 and I care even less now. I love _Xanadu!!_

[@emw1816]

I loved this movie when I was little and appreciated its artistry even more as an adult. Olivia was beautiful and her voice even more beautiful. Gene Kelley and her scene together is one of my favorite scenes. I like the song as well❤

[@kimberlydonohoe3427]

I saw it in the theater when I was 17, and loved it. As soon as it was over I went straight to the Record Bar and purchased the soundtrack.

[@dman0044]

I was that age, between 10th-11th grade, I was a year older than most.

[@cyberwraith9999]

I’ve loved Xanadu since I saw it as a kid. Probably my favorite scene is the “band off” where The Tubes are dueling with the big band. Loved ELO, loved The Tubes, loved Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John, and just thought the movie was a lot of fun. I still regularly pull up the soundtrack and listen “to both sides” back to back.

[@randyjohnson2794]

I always thought it was interesting that the album had an ONJ side and an ELO side. No side 1 or side 2 here!

[@blackamerican40]

I got the soundtrack for Christmas in 1980 when I was 12. I played the record over and over and over again RIP Olivia and Gene. 🙏🙏 God bless ELO.

[@vozpit]

ELO is my favorite band & this movie is one of the many reasons why. The soundtrack is one of the few albums I had on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CD & digital. Xanadu was the first movie I bought on DVD & I still watch it at least once a year. Yeah, I know the movie is not that good, but the music & Olivia keep me coming back.

[@deniselegere5927]

This movie came out when I was a kid. I’ve always loved it. It has a so bad it’s good thing going for it. Plus it has a great soundtrack

[@auldthymer]

Love the soundtrack: had to replace my cassette with the CD!

[@stall-u-rated1986]

@@auldthymer I actually wrote MCA records requesting a CD release... Glad the did it...

[@bobm.172]

The thing about Xanadu is that even after all these years I am still entertained by it more than most current movies. Sure it's not a GREAT movie, neither is Can't Stop the Music, but they are still bringing joy to me when I watch them. Just stupid fun that bring back happy memories of a fun era.

[@julianneremley4430]

I wasn't a great movie but was entertaining

[@Casey-zp9kv]

I have two older sisters 4 & 5 years older than me and they were obsessed with movies like Xanadu, Grease, The Sound of Music, The Pirate Movie ( Kristy McNichol, Christopher Atkins version) & Dirty Dancing. I can't count the dozens of times I was forced to watch those movies before I'd even reached the age of 10 lol. We had one TV in the house and I had no say being the youngest. I must say I did love the music in Xanadu.

[@laminage]

Also Kenny Ortega was the choreographer for this movie than he would work with Michael Jackson for This Is It. One of The Dancers Darcell Wynne danced on Solid Gold and in Kool & The Gang's Video for Fresh. She was married to Glen Carl Leonard formerly of The Temptations who became an Evangelist. The Movie took place in Venice Beach, CA. which has gained cult status with the Webseries Venice. Also this Movie and American Gigolo also showed the burgeoning coffeehouse movement.

[@latenighter1965]

Im 58, and this movie came out around my 15th or 16th birthday I believe. It has been since my most favorite movie of all time. I've watched it over 1,000 times. I used to always name ANY city building game as Xanadu as my city name (farmville, Sim City, ALL OF THEM) until recently I stopped. I know the movie by heart, every single word. Im also a good artist and have drawn the Xanadu logo name on many many items over the years, including a friends bedroom wall, and painted it to color, for which he was punished for having it done. I tape recorded the movie (long before it was out on VHS) and sat at my desk and in one night, with an old manual typewriter, I typed the entire script word for word, using each persons name, the line they had to say, and music interludes and all. But sometime years ago it came up missing and I have no idea where it went. Rest in Peace ONJ, Zeus has taken you home to be with the other sisters, and no Sonny to be able to bring you back this time.

[@SharreIWright]

My favourite musical of all time in fact I painted the painting Micheal Beck paints in the movie as a tribute to Olivia Newton-John, the Nine Sisters LP cover it's on my videos

[@celestepalm6949]

It was Xanadu's hopelessly catchy soundtrack that made me finally -reluctantly- check out the movie. For an early 80's film with both a '70's & nostalgic '40's hangover, it was fun, colorful, inclusive (cast, genres) fluff that didn't pretend to be anything more than entertaining. Bluth cartoon is a highlight.

[@Prence]

I love Xanadu when I first watched back in the 80s. I will admit that I had a huge crush on Olivia, I mean I think everyone did at the time, but I fell in love with all of it. It combined both rock and big band music. I still love and watch it today.

[@donnahdunthorn5207]

Saw it in the theater when it came out and had a wonderful time. Loved all the music from it and still do. The costumer did a great job.

[@misterharrys]

i love Xanadu, Olivia ws gorgeous, Gene was amazing and the songs were cool, and it's one of the last, if not the last time when we had the chance to see the gorgeous pan pacific auditorium, a gorgeous art deco auditorium from LA that no longer exists....

[@roybal1975]

the Secret Of The Nimh was my favorite cartoon movie growing up along with An American Tail...great memories.

[@Paul_Wetor]

I first saw Xanadu on cable TV in the 1980s and loved it. Still do. Olivia Newton-John is cute, the music is great (especially ELO's), and the special effects are impressive. The big band/rock band on-screen mashup is absolute genius, musically and visually. P.S. Gene Kelly performed his skating himself and insisted on being shown head-to-toe, so people would know he wasn't faking it.

[@AndrewMacLaine]

Same. I saw Xanadu in a hotel room as a kid and immediately fell in love with music, thought the "glowing outline" effect was magic, and gained an interest in Greek mythology. This "bad" movie was life changing.

[@irvyne6111]

My sister and I would watch this movie constantly as kids. We loved it! It was magical, colourful, and it had a killer soundtrack of endlessly singable songs. It wasn’t until we were older that we realised how poorly it was regarded by other people. We couldn’t believe it. In our minds it was an all-time classic!

[@TheSourKraut]

I remember that song driving me nuts, at the time, because they kept playing it nonstop on, what seemed, on all stations. Now you put it back in my head...

[@chuc98]

Fun fact: The design of the entrance of the Pan Pacific Auditorium was used for the entrance of Disney MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Later the design would also be used at another Disney park, California Adventure.

[@yoitsjustme3116]

Xanadu was the most wonderful children's movie of my childhood. ❤

[@entertainingCed]

thank you for this one. Xanadu had a special place in my heart. saw this as a kid and it was absolutely magical at that age.

[@tashakitty888]

Loved this movie and all the songs. I was in junior high at the time.

[@kimberlywalls9869]

I saw Xanadu in the theater as a little girl. I loved it then and still love it. It will always be one of my favormovies of all time! Olivia will be in my heart forever. Thanks for paying homage to Olivia and this truly great movie. It's a great one to just sit and enjoy the dancing, singing and phenomenal music and art!

[@ddc163264]

Always loved this movie. Had the album, went to the stage show. Great music. Yes, it was cheesy, but that was part of it's charm. I loved the blending of the 40's music with the rock music sequence, very unique and special.

[@radamik]

He didn’t mention that the “All Over the World” sequence was done at the Fiorucci store in L. A. Fiorucci was at the time the coolest store in the world, the one in New York I visited several times - their $45 jeans (quite a lot then) and colorful, crazy but still wearable clothes were great. They seemed to lead the change from silky polyester stuff (as in Saturday Night Fever) to small collars, skinny ties, and narrow lapels. And they mixed preppy with New Wave and it worked. 1979-1980 were transitional years as the earlier decade evolved into a newer style though it didn’t happen overnight in the. mainstream U . S.

[@GregsGameRoom]

Also a fun side-fact: Disney replicated the Pan Pacific towers at Hollywood Studios in Florida and California Adventure theme parks.

[@Evilscomics]

Watched this as a kid and the song Xanadu has been stuck in my head since then. I remember liking the movie. But really need to go back and give it a watch. Great watch Minty

[@moebiusk9085]

This movie also led to one of the best celebrity career quotes of all time: Michael Beck - "The Warriors opened a lot of doors in film for me, which Xanadu then closed.”

[@Scottie_S]

Yes. Michael needed to move forward. He needed a platform. Xanadu wasn't going to be that. A shame that many producers forgot his work in 'Warriors'. He was a gem! To be honest, all the actors really made that movie a cult classic.

[@robertb67]

At least he got to make out with Olivia Newton-John. It was worth it.

[@TheRatsCast]

Yeah; it's amazing Olivia Newton=John walked away from this at all, but that was because the music from the movie was so strong. However; Two of a Kind did kill her acting career.

[@robertb67]

​@@TheRatsCast One thing though, she got pregnant with Chloe in 1985. She pretty much took a step away from Hollywood because she had Chloe and wanted to raise her.

[@dukecraig2402]

Minty missed that the beautiful Sandahl Bergman, made famous two years later as Valerian in Conan the Barbarian, was one of the dancers in Xanadu, she's actually in a clip in this video, she also had a small part in Airplane II: The Sequel, mostly as window dressing standing next to William Shatner.

[@iChristyD]

Anyone ever notice that Adolfo Quiñones (Ozone from Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo) was one of the dancers in all the big group dancing numbers? You can totally tell it’s him if you look close. I’ve seen him a handful of times in this edit of Minty’s video.

[@auldthymer]

Good catch! The joy for me was seeing Sandahl Bergman as a (rather tall) muse. She was a featured dancer in All That Jazz.

[@StepBruthaz]

Nope...it's Thomas Guzman Sanchez of Chain Reaction from Reseda

[@iChristyD]

@@StepBruthaz Dude it’s listed on Adolfo’s IMDb credits that he’s in it, go look!

[@StepBruthaz]

@@iChristyD kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqaceWN_gZ6im68

[@desoliver9712]

Yeah, I spotted him many years ago... but it's an interesting link because Breakin', in a way was very similar in feel to Xanadu. It had (literal) magical elements in it too... and both films share a youthful, optimism. Both have terrific music and dancing... both have really bad scripts. Both are absolutely charming.

[@kaylacolgan]

Rest in Peace, Olivia Newton-John.

[@gordons-alive4940]

This was on HBO a lot growing up in the early 80s. I watched it many times, mostly for the music I think.

[@trinaq]

I wish that they'd used more of Gene Kelly's character. The man was a dancing legend, and deserved more screentime.

[@tajjej3649]

Reports at the time said he agreed to do the movie, as long as he didn't have to dance. He had not danced in years, maybe decades. After they started filming, Olivia convinced him to dance with her, a laid back, easy going dance number. It turned into a highlight of the movie. It was said that he was happy she convinced him.

[@romerjusu3804]

​@@tajjej3649 I heard the same thing.

[@kimfrank2417]

Wow thanks didn’t know that

[@roedhunt]

@@tajjej3649 He also insisted on roller skating, something that could have injured him. He was a perfectionist and made sure he looked like a pro.

[@soonerredtx4896]

I love this movie. I have every song memorized and I can still sing them today, 40 years later. I have the original album on record. I’ve literally listened to it hundreds of times. I have it and several others of ONJ’s. I even had a body suit and skirt outfit in satiny purple with leg warmers that I wore out. I also had ribbon hair barrettes like hers. I was all in. She was a beautiful person and singer. I think the world is a little darker than when she was with us.

[@grogvaughan5649]

Was 13 when that came out. Was an ELO fan at the time

[@sashah6754]

I love this film! The soundtrack is everything

[@iChristyD]

I literally just watched this again last week cause I couldn’t get the title song & also Suddenly out of my head. 2 of my favorites from the soundtrack.

[@auldthymer]

I love the vocals in Suddenly. I didn't know Cliff Richard, but after this song I sure found out.

[@droberts1664]

Olivia Newton John was so beautiful. I remember when she first came on the scene. She was the original worlds sweetheart. RIP Olivia.

[@cdncitizen4700]

This movie was really just an opportunity to showcase multigenerational musical talent - Gene Kelly, Jeff Lynne (a 5th Beatle of sorts)/ELO, Olivia Newton John, The Tubes... all wrapped in a musical that mashed 1930's/40's art deco and its swing era with modern day 80's neon music of the day. A fun escapist light romance movie wrapped in a sci-fi musical, not to be taken too seriously but simply enjoyed for the time capsule it was born in.

[@frankmuscara3303]

im 57 years old ive seen this movie a million times and i still watch it when ever its on!!

[@pequena_ninera]

R.I.P Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. I saw the movie at the movie theater when it came out and I totally loved it. Kenny also did NEWSIES, which is one of my all time favorite movies and is on my top 5 all time favorite movie list.

[@auldthymer]

He directed an episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend that featured a pole dance.

[@r1verman]

I first watched this movie when I was ten years old. Loved it then and it's still a favorite.

[@cuchullain27]

When you're feeling down, there's always Minty out there to cheer you up with his good old fashioned Aussie sense of fun and the absurd! A dying breed some might say, but clearly not.

[@russtex]

One of my all time favorite movies!!

[@douglascarber2464]

Anything with Olivia Newton-John in is great. She is the most beautiful lady that will ever exist. When I'm sad are depressed hearing her Music always cheers me up. She realy is a Muse.

[@GregsGameRoom]

This movie is rough but Olivia, Kelly, and the music totally redeem it. Too bad the Pan Pacific Auditorium is no more…

[@zealot777]

Agree. As a kid I remember saying to myself, "If I ever get a million dollars, I'd buy that Auditorium!"

[@stall-u-rated1986]

@@zealot777 I always hoped to visit it when i was down south, but sadly never made it...

[@desoliver9712]

I'd say also the choreography is pretty spectacular. The script is the main issue.

[@Boodlums]

@Angie Aughtlyn I went "on pilgrimage" to the site and took a photo of the replica tower. I still want to spend a moment with Kira... or an eternity-I keep getting them mixed up.

[@highwaystitchercoletteking5633]

I went to the Pan Pacific Auditorium several times as a kid. Even saw Elvis perform there. It was a wonderful venue that unfortunately was relegated to outdated and “old” when they built the Los Angeles convention center. Another classic building in LA that should have been protected but wasn’t.

[@mauriebarnes8272]

Great movie and soundtrack. 1979 to 1980 was a 'light switch' of change had this film been released a little earlier it may well have been a hit. I enjoyed the movie in its original release. Thanks for all the cool info of things I didn't know.

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

One thing Minty left out: this movie started a massive fashion trend for little girls. We all went crazy over Olivia’s barrettes with ribbons. Everyone wore them for a year or two after the movie.

[@demonvalentine1]

This was my Mum's favourite movie of all time. It makes me happy to hear of it's revived popularity. It is a proper feel-good movie.

[@myopicautisticmetal9035]

Me, a Metal guy, I adore the songs from Xanadu. Magic is one of my favorite songs since I can remember.

[@Shag471]

The Pan Pacific Auditorium was in the style of Art Deco, not steampunk. 😉 I love Xanadu and even had a great time working on a stage production of it a few years ago.

[@Mandrake55]

Thank you. Some people don't get the difference.

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

He said it reminded him of steampunk, not that that was how it was designed.

[@Shag471]

@@grannyweatherwax8005 But it’s not even close to a steampunk design which is typically gears, pipes, fire, heavy metals with rivets and other industrial metal materials and patterns.

[@libertymindsetlucy6010]

Xanadu was a classic from day one. Love this movie.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

The RUMINT I remember hearing over the years was they wanted Andy Gibb, not Barry. That's why they got the dude from *The Warriors,* who was basically Discount Andy Gibb... 😂 I bust on this movie, but I'd get it today if it was ever on 4K physical media.

[@zuitsuit80]

I remember that my father rented “Xanadu” once and we never saw it again… Then the character of “Phoebe” on “Friends” kinda brought it back with one excited line about the movie playing on “Chandler’s” TV reminded me of it and I later watched it again. It’s a trip.

[@JenniferFarleyPhotography]

I'm not embarrassed to admit I love this movie

[@TheCalicojane]

Thank you for covering Xanadu Minty! I've loved this movie since I was a kid in the 80s! My Dad taped it off HBO and made it a double feature with the original Annie lol.

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

I Actually like a lot of older TV shows as well as movies but the only thing I know about Xanadu is Rodger skating around on a cruise ship singing about it while dressed up as Olivia Newton-John in American Dad.

[@SiriusMined]

I saw this movie when it was on cable TV, and I must have seen it a dozen times. I've always enjoyed it.

[@paulinlongbeach]

Disco, Roller Skates and ELO. What could go wrong?🤔

[@michaelcox1913]

Michael Beck had said that Every Door that "The Warriors" opened for him , "Xanadu" Closed.

[@judywood9570]

John Lattanzi? Respectfully, wasn't his name Matt Lattanzi? It seems like I remember that Olivia Newton John was married to a man named Matt. Anyway, I always loved this movie and was 17 when it came out, so a bunch of us got together and went to the theater to see it. It was awesome! And when I see it these days it really brings me back to all the fun times we had in the 70's & 80's. Thank you SO much for posting this! I love your channel! ❤

[@jasondillon6577]

Yes, his name IS Matt Lattanzi. I hope Minty knows of his error. He must have watched the movie for research but skipped the ending credits.

[@whutzat]

I was 10 when it was released. My best friend and I would pay to get in the theater at the first show...then stay all day watching it over and over, singing along, etc. Then near dinner time, we would call one of our moms to pick us up. We'd then do it all over again the next weekend. I was obsessed with ONJ. I dressed like her from Xanadu at school and even in my school photo day official picture for 5th grade. The Roller Disco craze was already in full swing, and so when we went to the roller rink, the soundtrack was skated to by everyone, and I still have my original record in prime condition (with the booklet), even though I played it on my record player constantly. It wasn't until I was an adult that I stared hearing that some people considered it a "bad" movie, and that it had been a box office failure. I once saw Michael Beck do an interview basically saying he regretted the film, which shocked me and broke my heart. RIP to all those from the film that we lost, especially my old girlhood idol, the lovely and talented Olivia.

[@oOoMasterblasteroOo]

I love your "10 Things" series, Minty! I look forward to every new release. PS :: I'm one of those Xanadu fans. Along with the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band movie that was also panned by critics (and audiences)

[@korbendallas4232]

Agreed, had both posters and albums.

[@celestepalm6949]

Best thing that came out of SPLHCB was the stunning contribution of Earth Wind & Fire.

[@oOoMasterblasteroOo]

@@celestepalm6949 no love for the robots singing "When I'm 64"?

[@Knight-of-Sarcasm]

I discovered this gem after dating my now-ex husband, and it is so awesome. Xanadu I watched on The Movie Channel (I think that had it) from the moment it arrived to the moment it left, talked Mom into the 45's, and put my tape recorder in front of the family's floor tv and taped all the songs not on the album or the 45s. I will always love and treasure Xanadu.

[@whutzat]

I adored BOTH of those films.

[@sirgaymeerkat1994]

I saw this at the cinema, the song suddenly is sung by ONJ and cliff Richards, I met a school head master who in college was offered to join a band by a school friend but he turned it down, his friend was Jeff Lynn.

[@keithmabe]

One of my all time favorite movies! ❤ I actually was privileged enough to see it in the theater. The small screen does not do it justice.

[@celestepalm6949]

Can't deny Xanadu's opening scene is one hands-down upper.

[@mxslick50]

I actually ran Xanadu at the Air Force base theatre were I was stationed at the time. I just happened to look out of the port in the booth at the exact instant the "Image roll-up" when Gene Kelley stomped his foot...( in the glitz store number) I freaked out as that usually happens when the film breaks!

[@ronurizar8961]

I am usually a harsh critic of movies. However, I saw this when I was a young man and I loved it. I still do. I also have the soundtrack. This is the exception to the rule.

[@jeffwarshaw6838]

By all lights, I should have hated “Xanadu.” I loathed disco, couldn’t roller skate, thought ELO was inspired music and was not a fan of Olivia Newton-John…but I didn’t hate it, I loved it and still do! All the elements were wrong, but the movie works. One reason is that Olivia Newton-John was so mind-numbingly gorgeous that I fell head over heels for Kira. The soundtrack is great, the dance numbers are terrific and Don Bluth’s animation is spectacular. Plus Gene Kelly’s final dance performance. I can see now why it has become a cult classic.

[@ll7868]

I'll admit it, I saw this in theatres but not by choice, it was a friend's birthday, afterwards we went to the roller rink. I could ice skate but could never roller skate, even in-line skates, fell on my coccyx so many times. My high school metal band was called Broken Coccyx.

[@jonathanmartin-ives8665]

This has always been one of my favorite movies. Olivia Newton John was such a sweet and dreamy woman ❤

[@ghidrah76]

What made me love this movie is the Electric Light Orchestra songs.. wow. Jeff Lynne never disappoints. The film is fun and a classic!

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

Michael Beck is quoted as saying "The Warriors opened a lot of doors for me, which Xanadu then closed."

[@vanderdore]

omg omg omg omg omg. Supreme. The day she passed I watched this all day. I remember being little and loving everything about this. I'm now old and still love everything about this. Thank you so much for doing this. Peace and love.

[@blackphoenix77]

I first saw Xanadu on TCM late one Saturday night a few years ago and I've adored it ever since. Rest in peace, Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly; you both really were magic.

[@DonnaLang42rockglobally]

I saw Xanadu without its accompanying feature in 1980 and was probably one of the few who liked it as it was from the start. It's so good to know that it's getting the recognition that it deserves at last.

[@ll7868]

Don Bluth was one of my favourite animators back in the day. How about mixing it up and doing 10 Things You Didn't Know About Dragon's Lair and Space Ace? Some kids in high school had bullies who took their lunch money, I had those video games taking mine.

[@TitularHeroine]

Those games deserve to be in detention😡😄

[@jimmymelendez1836]

My brother once pulled the plug on a Dragon's Lair game at the bowling alley. He was the youngest. Don't ask me why he did it.

[@douglasdepirro8364]

Loved to play those games along with cliff hanger

[@williamrod8908]

Was a great movie. Loved it. The Gene Kelly and Olivia dance scene was terrific and all done by Gene. The soundtrack was cool too!!

[@shainewhite2781]

RIP, Olivia Newton John.

[@christopherminjares7429]

My sister loves this movie and watch it all the time which got me hooked on it too. I still have the original record from 1980. Several years ago I took my sister to the 40th anniversary showing at Alamo Drafthouse on her Birthday and it was great just to watch it on the big screen again.

[@alynnhirsch]

Loved this movie as a kid 😂

[@RonJDuncan]

I grew up with this movie. I know that in the bigger scheme of things, it's not a great movie, but I still have a fondness for it. The music was awesome and some of the concepts did truly come together. It just fell short.

[@Shasgirl]

My first time watching Xanadu was in '88 when channel 11 was WPIX in NYC - I was 7 yrs 😅. I was in awe of the colors and the music was EVERYTHING. I had no idea this movie was a bomb with as much as I enjoyed as a little girl. Growing up, I would always bring it up in nostalgia but no one ever recalled it. Glad to see it make a return to pop culture. I loved ONJ and still do, she forever has an endearing place in my heart for cultivating my love of music in movies. ❤

[@randomlibra]

I saw this at the drive-in when I was a kid. My mom and her best friend took me and my sister. They put a blanket out on the ground, gave us a speaker and popcorn and we laid on the ground and watched Xanadu. I loved every minute of it! Of course I was a gay 7 year old, so this was my world and I didn't even know it yet!

[@AustinKloud]

Same (I’m 51 years old and had such a crush on Olivia)

[@justinmurphy2227]

I've seen this on the rental shelf and on TV but never watched it..... You, Minty with your powers, has made watch this! Thank you!

[@shainewhite2781]

This was the last film of dancing legend Gene Kelly, whom passed away in 1985.

[@rosario508]

Gene Kelly died in 1996

[@marksheffield7833]

No, Mr. Kelly passed away in 1996 at the age of 83. Get your facts right, man!

[@shainewhite2781]

@@marksheffield7833 Ok, I got it! Jesus Christ, leave me alone!

[@marksheffield7833]

@@shainewhite2781 Now you don't want Jesus to leave you alone, not on Easter weekend!

[@dustinandfriendz2281]

Good to see you have your stuff back

[@kcthesledgestoryteller]

Back in day I was completely oblivious to the movie ❤, but I remember the random happening of my brother’s friend showing up with the record, and the two singing it together. I thought it was weird. But Monty’s saying that it’s worth a look, has me giving consideration.

[@auldthymer]

I love it, but it really is not a good movie. I suggest you watch it with friends and with wine.

[@Ciclopea2]

I love this movie, there's a few things that redeem it and make it a cult classic, like Don Bluth's animation, the genius soundtrack, and of course Olivia Newton-John who never looked more beautiful and ethereal, and the song "Magic" is forever my favorite by her. She's like magically connected to this movie, for good and bad, she even passed away on the 42nd anniversary of its premiere. I'm glad the internet era finally brought some justice for Xanadu. RIP angelic Olivia and Hollywood icon Gene Kelly.

[@rosario508]

I liked this movie when I was a kid. It wasn’t until I watched it as an adult did I realize how awful it is. It does however have one of the greatest soundtracks of all time

[@beauregardfielding5477]

As a 15 year old (gay) lad, it was place of escapism. It just hit the spot ….ONJ as Kira was divine casting brilliance. I met her twice in my life, once being on a plane from LAX to AKL on an Air NZ 747. I was crew. She was traveling with her daughter and PA. The music on both sides of the album was just stunning …hard to beat ELO. The movie shows an alternate 1980…nothing really looked like that in 1980 but I can tell you I replicated the Sonny Malone look down to the waistcoat and part in my hair. Thanks Michael Beck. In 2022 when Olivia passed, we had a screening in our local cinema, the Hollywood in Avondale, Auckland. People dressed up and people cried ….she was so beautiful on a huge screen. My best friend came to Auckland for the screening…we had seen it 50 times in 1980…nothing obsessive at all….Bless the movie and everything about it. RIP Olivia and Mr Kelly. Much Love Beau

[@kelvynacosta]

I love this movie

[@scottn7cy]

You're not supposed to say you liked this movie but we all loved it. Great music and Olivia Newton John shined.

[@charlessouthworth8175]

It’s a musical with amazing music, great dancing, vibrant costumes and fun sets…they’re not curing cancer mate! Xanadu is supposed to be a fun Saturday matinee and it totally delivers on so many levels!

[@GeorgeCostanzais10.]

Olivia Newton-John is not dead, she was just called back to Heaven where angels ought to be.