John Travolta Interview 1978 Brian Linehan's City Lights

In this interview from 1978, John Travolta talks about his newest film, Saturday Night Fever. He discusses his character Tony Manero, dancing in the movie, his manager Bob LeMond, the film Grease and recording an album.
From 1974 to 2000, Canada’s Brian Linehan conducted thousands of in-depth interviews with the greatest actors and directors from over 60 years of film history. His programs City Lights and Linehan have not been seen since they first aired and are now available for the first time for licensing. Linehan, a stylishly gifted broadcaster, meticulously did all his own research and that, coupled with his knowledge and passion about film and filmmaking, puts him in a class all by himself.
With 20,000 hours of music footage spanning 90 years and thousands of hours of in-depth interviews with the 20th century’s icons of Film and Television, Politics, Comedy, Literature, Art, Science, Fashion and Sports, Reelin’ In The Years Productions is now the World’s Premier Source For Footage Of Musical Artists, Entertainers & History Makers.
reelinintheyear...
Note: these clips are available on KZbin for producers, directors, researchers and clearance companies for potential use in their projects. Our website on the screen is to protect the footage from being used without our consent and so industry professionals can find us to properly license the footage.
Brian Linehan, who passed away in 2004, left his entire estate to The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation to provide training, work opportunities and promotion for young actors of exceptional talent. All of the income of his Foundation is donated to not-for-profit institutions for that purpose. In the decade since his death, recipients of the Foundation’s support have included extraordinary young actors affiliated with the Canadian Film Centre, The National Screen Institute of Canada, the Stratford Shakespearean Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, which, since Brian's passing, has preserved and housed Brian's personal archive and tape library.

[@pepela5739]

the watermark sucks, it's blocking the view of his face.

[@angienovak1602]

There's an innocence, a sweetness about John Travolta that is so endearing and captivating !

[@chocomanger6873]

I would look into him more. You will find that he's not quite as innocent and sweet as you think.

[@FreedomPost]

Choco Manger How so? Give me an example.

[@quentindugger5389]

Ridiculous. John is arguably the kindest person in Hollywood.

[@HEHEHEBESTTRICKshots]

@@chocomanger6873 don't u dare insult Jhon

[@alukuhito]

It's called acting.

[@stephaniehachey4467]

His eyes are so adorable 😍

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@JulieBot]

This is so great - Travolta is not scripted, not 'media trained', just pure conversation. I miss Linehan so very much.

[@kevinc7161]

Yours is the best comment in this whole set of posts. And I totally agree with both points

[@JulieBot]

thank you!

[@rajs9031]

Well said Julie- Linehan was a very sincere, nonconfrontive, easy-going interviewer- No one remotely like him today! He is dearly missed.

[@theresaakins2317]

Julie Bot The interviews in the 70's were different than after that decade. The actors weren't micromanage and an actor could get away with saying things as well as political statements. They were more real and less guarded.

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@kiara3299]

i’m trying to focus on the interview but damn he’s so beautiful i’m getting lost in his eyes

[@alukuhito]

Women are confusing. He looks like a dull baby to me. I think what's happening though is that you already know he's rich and famous, so you're looking back with a bias.

[@cliviali7410]

@@alukuhito Maybe his appearance doesn't appeal to you, which is perfectly natural, but he wouldn't have got where he is were he not beautiful to begin with.

[@lilpoohbear653]

@@alukuhito oh no...you are wrong...he is gorgeous whether we know who he is or not

[@alukuhito]

@@lilpoohbear653 Don't look at men in terms of physical "beauty". It's simply a superficial judgement. Men are so much more than what they look like.

[@kammore6209]

Aw, he was adorable

[@sydnaja104]

i'm french but listening to his voice makes me realize how they all used to talk so slowly back then and even tho english isn't my native language i can feel the sweetness in his voice, he was (still is) an amazing actor and person, if i was born at that time i'd definitely be in love with him

[@OlibiaJ]

To people talk more quickly now wouldn't have really noticed...

[@lionsmsp2781]

THIS IS MY MANN! I’M CRYING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I CAN’T HAVE HIM WHEN HE WAS 23

[@antonettee.8411]

This man is above 10 for me..hes so endearing.his eyes voice smile..so captivating..

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@ma.cecilia2805]

Guapísimo.....

[@jahi6736]

Jesus he's gorgeous

[@Jesus_Saves_66]

Why use God’s name in vain? Repent of your sins and call upon Jesus for salvation.

[@kungfukenny1793]

@@Jesus_Saves_66 stfu

[@funnyjim4841]

@@Jesus_Saves_66 Jesus isn't even God's name. God is God's name.

[@caitlinjoy6332]

John Travolta learned to dance like a pro in only five months?! I’m shook 😱👏🏻

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@angelafares4020]

My goddaughter Alanah has a crush on him. She keeps saying: "It's hot in here!" 😂😂😂

[@Ciclopea2]

Show me a more handsome young man from the late 70's/early 80's than John Travolta, there might be a few, but surely not that many. Stunning movie star looks and charisma, which is why he became such a sensation back in the day, and later on he became more valued for his acting. He's suffered heartbreak and big personal losses over the years, but he's an absolute icon, through his work he's been a part of my life since i can remember and i do have love for him and wish him the very best.

[@tilatsiddiqui3969]

Isn’t Ms Travolta just another helliweird entertainment industry created sellout deceiver and gender inverted female masquerading as a male actor allegedly?

[@TheEurokrafts]

Mel Gibson?

[@TheEurokrafts]

Although John is more genuine.

[@61subsandnovideos]

@@tilatsiddiqui3969 forgot to take your pills that day?

[@ot9941]

The interviewer is genius. John Travolta is not only beautiful to look at, it is also beautiful to listen to him speak and see all the different layers to his heart and mind. He is intelligent and wise yet humble and compassionate. We need more interviewers like this one.

[@Enthusiasmisgood]

Isn’t it funny, to me he seems very creepy.

[@stevejames5863]

brian linahan was a legend in toronto,where he has made his carear. he was known as the best interviewer , with the most in depth questions and research. i m from toronto, he was well known in toronto, where he filmed city lights.

[@ot9941]

@@stevejames5863 Thank you for sharing. I first learned of him through this video.

[@fifthbusiness1678]

@@Enthusiasmisgood Why, because he doesn’t conform to your conception of the typically beautiful but vapid Hollywood interviewer? If you actually listened to and watched this interview, you’ll see Travolta opening up in a way he normally doesn’t. In the industry, Brian Linehan was highly respected among actors and directors.

[@Enthusiasmisgood]

@@fifthbusiness1678 Yeah. That’s me. I just can’t get past my conception of the typically vapid Hollywood interviewer. I still think Linehan’s creepy. You’re more clever than the rest of us. You can tell us all…why do they both have writing on their face ?

[@itsmechristy2409]

I don't think he was ever the same after Diane died. He didn't like girls his own age. She was 15 years his senior, which I don't think is a lot but that's just my opinion.

[@quentindugger5389]

Diana was actually 18 years his senior. However I do agree I believe Diana was his true love.

[@theresaakins2317]

itsme christy even though he seems very green and young here, I think he liked mature relationships and was more mature than his years.

[@HEHEHEBESTTRICKshots]

I think thought Olivia and Jhon say they are just good friends that Jhon rly loved her and she was her true love but this is my opinion.

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@georgiamondragon4534]

@@HEHEHEBESTTRICKshotsOlivia's song I Honestly Love You, a favorite song of hers and John's, tells a lot about their secret love. That's because they loved each other but can't get married. Aside from the timing wasn't always right (it's in her book), they have different religious beliefs. So they just decided to end up as best friends, supportive in good and bad times, and marry people who remind them of each other.

[@dzim8822]

John T was such a humble guy.. he's stayed that way throughout his career. A really cool, nice, humble guy.

[@FreedomPost]

The interviewer had a crush on John. So obvious.

[@carlyyoungblood9806]

i would’ve too

[@boynton20]

@@carlyyoungblood9806 who wouldn't lol

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@danyoutube7491]

I had that impression too, I get the feeling that the interviewer was a homosexual who was very taken by John :) I don't mean any offence by that to him, and we could be totally off base with that assumption. It was a fine interview, nevertheless. I think he was a very good interviewer.

[@Chrishagen]

A homosexual in Hollywood? Surely not.

[@knownpleasures]

To take by storm in late 1970s international film box office? For sure! One of the biggest movie stars in the history of Hollywood

[@amandagoncalves4993]

He was so Hot💕

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@tasinbaneir4231]

@@johntravolta336 hi John! lol Did Amanda write you back? Though keep in mind, she said "was". lol

[@lapinkawaii]

what perfect colouring he had then.

[@chocomanger6873]

Pale with bags under the eyes?

[@drewscholl6347]

@@chocomanger6873 I don't know what you think youd accomplish by commenting that

[@isha3016]

@@chocomanger6873 nah! Brown hair and blue eyes.

[@keelawalker7336]

@@chocomanger6873 He was extremely striking! What are you looking at??

[@wendaltvedt4673]

@@chocomanger6873 He looks good pale, it's a beautiful contrast with his full red lips, blue eyes and dark hair.

[@NatDdLZ]

Handsome😍💗💞💙💜♥️

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@themilamilitao4075]

Man John Travolta was amazingly handsome !!!

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@steveconn]

Before the Scientology and hair-pieces.

[@thomasbramwell8752]

steve conn He was a Scientologist 3 years before this interview

[@theresaakins2317]

Very true. He was a Scientologist early on by his then older girlfriend who unfortunately passed away at this time of cancer. He was so young to go thru with a death like that.

[@ellaforker7844]

he’s so sweet🥺🥺🥺

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@saeedurrahman2056]

Wow he was a young 24 year old back then now his 65

[@jill7147]

damn, John was sexy as hell back in the day, always been my idol, since I was young,saw him in person back in 1981 during the premier of his movie Blow Out still looks good now

[@christine6205]

See the dimple on his chin 💙😎

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@keelawalker7336]

That interviewers face takes some getting used to, especially after looking at John Travolta's (he was so absolutely beautiful back then 😍)

[@61subsandnovideos]

LMAOO FOULLL

[@heyman8820]

Is that an Oompa Loompa?

[@BigEighties1]

I love Reelin' in the years. Just the coolest cats around. Any chance you'll release BLONDIE on Merve Griffin 1979?

[@JC_inc]

I always imagine Brooke Shields & John Travolta getting married & having children.

[@Giftofknowing]

Interviewed by Chucky, before his scars lol

[@JH-yi7qc]

Interviewed by Chucky...hahaha😂

[@wendaltvedt4673]

omg my thoughts exactly he looks like Chucky

[@travislee73]

That incredibly annoying stamp should be at the very bottom. Definitely not visiting.

[@kiely4561]

Man....Brian was a unique looking dude lol

[@christopherallen9580]

with good hair

[@wendaltvedt4673]

He looks creepy I wouldn't leave him alone with my cat.

[@kiely4561]

@@wendaltvedt4673he looks abit like a human Chucky doll

[@geofflepper3207]

​@@wendaltvedt4673 When you're so completely superficial you're going to unfairly mistreat good people just because they happen to look different and you're going to give some bad people more than they deserve and sometimes those good looking bad people are going to see your weakness and exploit it to take advantage of you. Some of those gorgeous actors and actresses that people swoon about were in real life really horrible people and some of those who looked scary and played evil people were actually sweet, wonderful people in real life.

[@thomasrios4664]

John travolta is 100% right! to order to have the audience to see and know that his character is suppose to be a great dancer he would had to show it, so i am glad that john had to enforce them so he can do the dancing solo act, also made the story line and movie much better. john travolta really had an eye to make it work like another example he said that olivia newton john would be the perfect sandy and no other would be perfect for the job, and 100% i totally agree and made grease even better.

[@plumeria66]

That interviewer is Caucasian but has African or Asian features. Low bridge and wide nostrils.

[@Soundeagle3456]

he looks corny until he opens his mouth, you see he is smart

[@zackamania6534]

My uncle Budge taught John to fly back around 76. He became Jon’s preferred personal flight instructor and qualified John on several different equipment. His last session was for the G5 in 2002 or thereabouts. Down in Texas at CAE simuflight. They had a very special friendship, John would take him and my aunt Sarah to eat when he was in Dallas for any training. My uncle was an amazing person, who flew rescue evac missions in Vietnam, graduated from UT-Knoxville with a degree in engineering. A freaking superhero. He was very protective of his relationship with John, I never got to meet him, but did receive a signed VHS copy of Pulp Fiction for HS graduation in 1997. My uncle passed away in may of 2021 at age 83.

[@ma.cecilia2805]

Lo ciento mucho...que hermosa historia tienes por tu tío,.haber Sido instructor de Jhon, wow wow maravilloso ....Jhon travolta se ve por dónde se le mire, un ser adorable , Guapísimo, noble..La vida le a premiado ...🇨🇱

[@seanstewart6893]

The crazy thing is Travolta was the biggest star on the plane when this was done, the most famous person in the world and yet he's so humble and ice ,it's a dam shame that after Moment by moment that his stardom went down, yes he had a hit with Urban Cowboy but that was it for a while, public taste shifted ,he chose the wrong films, blowout and two of a kind instead of Officer and a gentleman which he was offerd, ,with the way he looked and acted he should of remaind at the top, he was just so genuine,no pretense at all.

[@juliuscepeda9655]

Blowout is a great film. It didn’t do great at the box office but it really is a gem of a movie.

[@ga41867]

Crazy how Brian predicted Moment by Moment would fail. At 16:20 he nailed it.

[@yosegutierrez6668]

2:30

[@alexraven8531]

That interviewer is one creepy weirdo with his creepy look at John!

[@chocomanger6873]

"That interviewer"? It's Brian Linehan, you doorknob!

[@alexraven8531]

+Choco Manger FU!

[@lilpoohbear653]

@@chocomanger6873 yeah...creepy yho

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Guess you were expecting the usual good-looking but vapid Hollywood-type interviewer, rather than a smart guy who does his research and asks very intelligent questions. Choco is right - Brian Linehan is a legend not just in Canada, but in the film industry as a whole precisely because of his interviews.

[@danyoutube7491]

I'd read in KZbin comments before that Travolta wasn't meant to have a solo dance in Saturday Night Fever, but I'd always been sceptical that it wasn't in the works all along. But here we have it from Travolta's mouth just a year after the movie was released, it was true that he had to push to have that scene shot and included in the film. Amazing, it is absolutely iconic and pretty much essential to the film, as John says himself.

[@tonywalton1052]

There is lots of chemistry between these two dudes. Interviewer is a major stockholder in aquanet

[@jamesrogers8527]

I got chills!

[@mercedesinesbonplandmontes1114]

Yessss John YRAVOLTA IS THE BEST ACTOR AND MAN AROUND THIS WORLD.HIS INNOCENCE AND SWEET SMILE ARE SO BEAUTIFULL

[@lynj9088]

❤Mr Travolta is and has always been such a humble, caring, loving, extremely intelligent man!! He is so AMAZING as a singer, actor, dancer, entertainer and all-around wonderful gentleman!! I love watching everything he is a part of because I know without a doubt that it will be FANTASTIC❤

[@julianciahaconsulting8663]

That opening question is quintessential Linehan....

[@davidprice6994]

the guy interviewing looks like the dwaf in game of thrones lol

[@Bayonettamachinekill]

David Price xD hahaha

[@chocomanger6873]

"the guy interviewing"? It's Brian Linehan, you doorknob!

[@N.haya_]

Nah, an oompa loompa

[@theresaakins2317]

David Price Peter Dinklage is much better looking than the interviewer but the interviewer is odd looking, I do agree with that.

[@needahandle]

@@theresaakins2317 Dinklage is actually handsome. The dwarfism disotrs it a but, but I can still see it. Not so much this guy...

[@Kathryn-qs1tb]

What a cutie. Had his posters on my wall from Saturday Night Fever through Urban Cowboy

[@johnpacino007]

I remember this era Travolta well. He burst onto to the global scene, as the biggest popular culture star in the world, ( 1978 ). A few months after Elvis Presley had passed. He was like a modern version of Presley. All stylish, hip-swinging, dancing, singing, & the same tall lithe, latin looking. His downfall was equally as swift. By 1981, his global popularity had near completely collasped!😲

[@frankmaitland1254]

The interviewer is definitely sporting a chub.

[@lizkozlowski5771]

John has been so gorgeous and always will be 🤗💘💕♥️🥰 he still sounds so very young

[@jbt6007]

He was a real gem before fame ate him alive.

[@xvidfanx9728]

What's The Frequency what did fame do to him?

[@isaiah8488]

No he just aged

[@aaronortiz2696]

Papa RAMON Aaron Juan

[@ricardomorales8969]

I love John’s hair! He also has a nice hairline. I wish he was young again.

[@wendaltvedt4673]

He was extremely handsome in his youth with great hair, he started balding in his late 20s unfortunately.

[@ricardomorales8969]

@@wendaltvedt4673 on the bright side he’s young on the inside. How did he go bald?

[@wendaltvedt4673]

@@ricardomorales8969 Pretty much how most guys go bald - genetics.

[@aaronortiz2696]

Papa RAMON Aaron Juan

[@stinakarlsson1557]

oh lord is he soft spoken and adorable )):

[@shaunpearson7905]

Uh, sexual chemistry anyone?

[@AStarIsBornThisWay]

Travolta is like that with everyone

[@big0lefr3ak]

AStarIsBornThisWay not me

[@NewWorldDAO]

Hey I withdraw from the business check out so they can commit more crimes Lego nobody knows

[@r3b3lvegan89]

Holy shit what a stud, and nuanced and charming and intelligent as hell. Had no idea he lost the love of his life right in the middle of the creating the best psychedelic musical probably ever besides The Wall.

[@startracker5895]

The presenter is so bloody creepy! Lol

[@themanwithnoname8548]

Star tracker hes just a glorified homosexual

[@dmanbigd1]

but good looking.hes got tony MANERO HAIR if david letterman played him.

[@alukuhito]

Fuck off.

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Yeah, you’re hilarious. 🙄

[@startracker5895]

@@fifthbusiness1678 not trying to be. Weirdo! 🤦🙄

[@NewWorldDAO]

Robert lemon set a relative of yours? Obviously you know what was going on and stop it

[@walkerpeterson1149]

Chucky and the greatest tric to hit Hollywood and Vine

[@julietteyork3721]

Yikes 🙈

[@lilpoohbear653]

John is awesome but interviewer is ...uh...creepy

[@fifthbusiness1678]

How so? Good interviewers that don’t confirm to the usual Hollywood look frighten you? Make you uncomfortable?

[@robbinkirkbride9565]

You’ll the best and always will be

[@billhoare7404]

A good looking dude in hi day for sure

[@edmundpower1250]

So was Travolta

[@billhoare7404]

@@edmundpower1250 ?

[@Enthusiasmisgood]

I wonder how he shaves his dimple.

[@richalderson6069]

I don't think he does!

[@Enthusiasmisgood]

@@richalderson6069 Tricky, either way

[@richalderson6069]

@@Enthusiasmisgood I would believe so, yes.

[@sonnestt]

Michael 😇

[@danielar7091]

Es un mango 🤤

[@yosegutierrez6668]

Kha?

[@danielar7091]

@@yosegutierrez6668 he is very handsome

[@whitneytaylor9121]

So, @ the 9:15 mark tells a lot about him.

[@haroldstella1398]

A TRUE STAR!! 💙💙⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@robbinkirkbride9565]

I love you John

[@mellio9077]

he was so lovable before the scientology thing

[@jennyolsson4040]

Mel Lio He already was into Scientology at this point. He joined them around 1975

[@mellio9077]

Jenny Olsson yeah but he seems so innocent and untainted here.

[@chocomanger6873]

Or was it Scientology that made him lovable in the first place? Perhaps it's fame that wrecked him, not his religion.

[@FreedomPost]

Mel Lio Why are people so triggered by scientologists? John is lovable no matter what he believes in.

[@shaneo5436]

@@FreedomPost Research and work it out for yourself.

[@joeytorres5442]

Mr.Cater...oo ooo lol oooo

[@dancingtrout6719]

i liked him as Barbarino

[@amparocuencayunta8964]

Que encanto, wow tierno, lindo.

[@jovonashford]

cool

[@rosu5726]

Asswpe

[@holden3]

2 dope queens

[@angelafares4020]

Aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@johntravolta336]

Wow you are so awesome. Thanks for the comments, like,support and love over the years . I would love to keep in touch with you, write me; [e-mail] Hope you’re keeping safe?

[@tilatsiddiqui3969]

Ms travolta Such a gender inverted gal masquerading as a male actor allegedly?

[@ericwilliams626]

Scientology made him fearless.

[@wendaltvedt4673]

The interviewer is like a real life Chucky

[@jl3322]

Definitely gay

[@wagnerbatista6990]

Jhon travolta lindo nessa época

[@christopherallen9580]

OH MYYYY

[@61subsandnovideos]

hes just a sensitive soul

[@fifthbusiness1678]

You’ve come out! Congratulations!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Moment by Moment turned out to be a piece of crap. I saw it in the theatre and Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 20% rating.

[@61subsandnovideos]

god i want to remove the watermark. covering his beauty smhh