Three Pre-Empts Greenland for Grease

Three is replacing Friday’s network movie premiere of Greenland with a re-run of Grease, in honour of star Olivia Newton-John, who died today at the age of 73.

Newton-John’s career sizzled with the mega-hit Grease, Variety noted.

Though the 29-year-old singer worried she was too old for her role, she turned in a confident performance in the ’50s-themed musical as virginal high schooler Sandy Olsson, and displayed impressive chemistry opposite [John] Travolta, coming off his Saturday Night Fever breakthrough and cast as bad boy Danny Zuko.

The Paramount release was an immediate hit, spawning a hugely successful soundtrack album. The Newton-John/Travolta duet “You’re the One That I Want” was succeeded by two more top-five singles, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “Summer Nights,” also drawn from the picture. The soundtrack LP sat at No. 1 for 10 weeks, and spent a total of 77 weeks on the charts.

Of course, the best way to view this blast from the past is on 4K-UHD. Released in 2018, the 40th anniversary edition might just be the last word in 4K restorations.

The 2160p re-mastering is demo-worthy while the Blu-ray companion disc combines extras from the 2009 BD release with a new half-hour documentary about the musical’s stage genesis.