#i feel like they totally had danny/sandy vibes in high school

[deanlombardi]

a very LYDIA + DEAN moodboard

“I wonder if the things that remind me of you, remind you of me.” / @lydiaturan

[coll2mitts]

#77 Grease (1978)

Slick your hair back and grab your team jacket, we’re hand-jiving our way through Grease, a movie about bunch of hot, self-motivated ladies with their whole futures ahead of them settling for a bunch of schmucks.

Grease is a strange experience to relive as an adult, because it was (as I suspect with a lot of people) ever-present in my childhood, and I didn’t understand the great majority of references then.  This movie was intended as an 8th birthday present from my mother; I came home from school one day and the VHS was sitting on our kitchen countertop unwrapped.  I didn’t recognize it, so when I asked my mom what it was, she feigned confusion for about 10 seconds before she gave up and said, “I bought it for your birthday, I guess you get it early now.”  She promised me I’d like it when I popped it into the VHS player, and she wasn’t wrong.  I hadn’t watched this movie in over a decade and I still could recite the majority of the dialogue.

While this movie is a toned down significantly from the stage show, it is still fairly raunchy in parts.  What is kind of hilarious to me is Grease’s gradual shift in categorization over time as a “kids musical”.  In 5th grade, my sister played Sandy in her elementary school’s production of it.  I asked if she remembered any of the lines they changed to keep things “appropriate” (the Kidz Bopification, if you will) and she responded, “No, I just thought it was weird I had to go out and buy a sexy outfit.”  Conversely, my 5th grade play was about the history of America and I dressed up like Martha Washington.  I’ll never forget the 50 Nifty United States from 13 original colonies... SHOUT ‘em, SCOUT ‘em, TELL all about 'em, ONE BY ONE till we’ve given a day to every state in the U-S-A.  AL-A-bama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, CON-NE-TI-CUT...

Anyway, do I think it’s weird that a movie about a bunch of horny teenagers has become Baby’s First Adult Musical?  Sorta.  Not really.  I mean, the dudes act like children for the majority of this, so I’m not surprised, at least.  It had, for sure, turned me off from wanting to date high school dudes when I was in high school.  The high school girls, however... we’ll get there.

It’s the first day of school, and the oldest high school seniors I’ve ever seen are poised to take on their last year at Rydell High.  The “T” Birds and their very uncool matching jackets are reunited after a summer apart and their super-senior leader Kenickie, played by the late Jeff Conaway, regales the tale of lugging boxes to earn money for a sweet ride, which you could feasibly do back in the 1950s.  Danny, played by John Travolta, spent his summer getting action at the beach, which he eloquently describes as “flippin’”.  

Frenchy and her new neighbor Sandy rendezvous with the Pink Ladies, who have very cool matching jackets and the unabashed confidence to go with them.  Stockard Channing, who plays Rizzo, is turned off by Sandy’s pure, seemingly holier-than-thou persona, and is dismayed when Sandy starts to describe her sickly sweet summer romance.  Her interest is only piqued when Sandy mentions her hunky date was notorious playboy and Rizzo’s ex, Danny Zuko.  

Sidenote: When I was a child, I thought Sonny asked if her “jugs were bigger than her nets”.  I asked my mother what “nets” were, since I surmised that jugs meant breasts, and she didn’t know, which I thought was weird.  It wasn’t until THIS MOMENT that I realized he was asking if her jugs were bigger than Annette’s.  Who the fuck is Annette?  Like the Mickey Mouseketeer Annette?!  Rizzo sings about her later and I’m just like.. this revelation has lead to more questions than answers.

Rizzo hatches a plan to call Danny out on his shit and reunite Sandy with Danny at the school pep rally, as they know her boyfriend is an asshat.  He predictably reacts maturely; Not wanting to admit his previous story of getting fresh with some cute Australian girl down in the sand was somewhat hyperbolic, he plays it off like he doesn’t give a shit about her, reducing Sandy to tears.  Frenchy comforts Sandy like the supportive queen that she is and invites her to join the Pink Ladies at a sleepover.

Honestly, a Pink Ladies sleepover looks lit as fuck.  As a kid (and now, tbh) I was Jan, I wanted to be Marty, I wanted to fuck Rizzo, and I wanted Frenchy as my best friend.  I would totally be down to drink champagne, eat Twinkies and mutilate our body parts with needles.  Sandy is a bit of a late bloomer and reacts to these series of events by puking.  Rizzo decides to be a bit of a slag and make fun of Sandy for being an inexperienced virgin before shimming down a drainpipe to get laid by some jerk with a shitty car and a 6-year-old condom.

Sandy, whose night has done nothing to alleviate her heartbreak, sings a song about being in love with a coward.  Part of the deal Oliva Newton-John signed to be cast in this movie specified she have her own solo number, so “Hopelessly Devoted” was written and filmed after the rest of the movie had been completed.  This feel pretty obvious, since it gives off a very strong 1970s pop Best Original Song vibe.  When I was a kid, I used this song as a break to use the bathroom or grab a snack, but as an adult I find myself humming it every so often.

Speaking of contract-obligated solos, we’re treated to a Travolta-led “Greased Lightning”, which I always thought was weird, cause like, who is going to sing a song about their friend getting tit in their sweet car?  Jeff Conaway played Danny on Broadway, he deserved better...  Also, I’m CONVINCED this song got the Pop-Up Video treatment, but couldn’t find it online anywhere.  Otherwise, how the hell else would the fact that they thought John Travolta putting the saran wrap on his crotch was too racy live rent free in my head for like 20 years?

After encountering Sandy on a date with a jock, Danny decides he’s going to join a sports team to prove to her he can be a motivated team player.  Instead, he just physically assaults several members of his school, but it’s fine because he’s wearing a uniform when he does it.  This is enough to impress Sandy, as she accepts Danny’s invitation to the school dance.

The other gang members are going through their own drama, as Rizzo is sick of giving it up to Kenickie without receiving a modicum of respect.  

“A hickey from Kenickie is like a Hallmark card.  When you care enough to send the very best.”

Danny regresses and continues to act like a shithead to Sandy in front of her friends.

“I don’t like tea.” “You don’t have to drink tea!” “Well, I don’t like parents.”

Jan and Putzie begin an innocent and adorable romance, which proves it’s possible to start off a relationship with mutual respect, even if your friends make fun of you for it.

“I also think there’s more to you than just fat.” “...Thanks.”

I love this scene, there’s so many good lines.

Frenchy, who had dropped out of Rydell to pursue a career in cosmetology, is also in crisis as her stint in beauty school went very poorly.  After hours, she somehow hallucinates Frankie Avalon advising her to get her high school degree.

As a child, I was so proud of myself when I realized all these women played other roles in the movie, as if facial recognition was an important skill.

The day of the big dance finally arrives, as National Bandstand comes to Rydell High with roofie-wielding predator and television host Vince Fontaine.  Rizzo arrives with the leader of the rival gang, while Kenickie has his best girl, Cha Cha, as his date, because they are both very well-adjusted teenagers that know how to work through conflict by communicating and not using desperate attempts to make each other jealous.  Danny and Sandy are cutting up a rug until Sonny attempts to physically assault Sandy, and Danny just lets it happen because another one of his exes, Cha Cha, starts to dance with him while Sandy is rebuffing Sonny’s advances.  Cha Cha and Danny subsequently win the contest.  Honestly, this is so fucked up, I would have dropped Danny after this lapse of good judgement.

But no, Sandy still allows him to take her on a date to the drive-in, and it’s not until he elbows her in the boob and then tries to cop a feel in front of everybody that she finally blows him off.  Then he has the absolute gall to act emo about it because he’s afraid people will think he’s a loser.  Jesus Christ.

Kenickie is also hurting, as he discovers that Rizzo is pregnant and she doesn’t want anything to do with him, regardless of what being an unwed mother will do to her reputation.  He decides to process these emotions by racing Greased Lighting for pink slips, as he likes to live his life a quarter mile at a time.  Unfortunately, Danny steals Kenickie’s thunder (road) yet again, as he’s forced to take his place in the race because of a car door-related closed head injury.  Sandy is impressed by Danny’s driving skillz and decides to sex herself up for an unreliable and emotionally manipulative teenager.  Danny has a similar inclination and decides to put on a nice sweater to win Sandy back, which is something, I guess.  They declare they’re the one each other needs, oh yes indeed.

The school year ends, and all the boys end up paired with the girls.  Rizzo finds out she’s not pregnant and reunites with Kenickie?!  Marty ends up with Sonny even though he’s a handsy creep.  Danny and Sandy are just an mess with incompatible expectations of each other.  But at least Jan and Putzie and Frenchy and Doodie are fairly inoffensive.  The end.

This movie is great, even all these years later.  The entire cast is fantastic, even those with smaller bit parts.  I was *living* for the school staff, Principal McGee and Coach Calhoun especially.  Grease also jump started my lifelong love for Stockard Channing.  She’s great in The West Wing, but her part as Sister Husband in Where the Heart Is may be my favorite performance of hers.  I’ve watched that movie so many times I can’t even call it a guilty pleasure, I love it so much.

Olivia Newton-John wasn’t even sure she wanted to be in this movie and requested a screen test so she could see if she was good at acting.  John Travolta was enamored with her and helped convince Olivia she was perfect for the part, and he wasn’t wrong.  She gives such a strong performance as Sandy; I bought her transformation from clean-cut cinnamon roll to sexpot completely.  John Travolta was also unbelievably charming as Danny, and I found myself giggling at his line deliveries constantly.

The songs are also unbelievably catchy (albeit somewhat annoying after you’ve heard them 700 times).  Barry Gibb, my favorite Pras-adjacent composer, wrote the theme for the movie and it just bops so hard.  As a well-documented detractor of Doo Wop music, there’s not a whole lot else here for me, but that’s not going to blind me to the excellence of this soundtrack.  There is a reason this movie is revered as much as it is.  10/10, fun for the whole family, as long as the kids don’t understand the references.

[allthingskiszka]

My Favorite Asshole Pt.1

Okay, so I had this idea the other day. This is a Jake Kiszka x reader story but will involve the others. This will be a multiple part story and pretty lengthy, I also may be slow to upload because my work schedule is pretty crazy. with that being said here we go!!! (p.s sorry about any errors I will proof-read but may miss something)

*You're new to Frankenmuth and your not looking forward to starting as a new student your junior year of high school.*

Word Count:

Walking up the stairs you were really nervous about starting at a new school. you clutched your backpack strap and with your head down you entered the school. You could feel eyes on you as you walked to the office. The lady at the front desk handed you your schedule and introduced you to a very pretty girl that walked into the office

“Hey, Ronnie this is y/n she is new here.”

“Nice to meet you, I like your shirt” Ronnie said with a sweet smile

“Thank’s I love The Doors they’re the best”

“Ronnie, can you show y/n to here first-period class?”

“Of course, follow me” as you walked out the door you were super nervous.

“So are you excited to start here?” Ronnie asked

“If I’m being honestly kinda nervous,” you said with a slight laugh

“Here let me see your schedule?” Ronnie looked at the piece of paper and smile at you “We have 3rd, Lunch and 8th period together, and you have 7th with my brothers you'll be fine. You can sit with us at lunch!”

You smiled “That would be awesome”

“No problem, A girl that’s a fan of The Doors and has a rad style like you, your cool in my book. Right through this door is your first period” 

“Okay, Thanks Ronnie see you in 3rd”

~Flash Forward to 3rd~

You walked into the class and noticed Ronnie waving at you to sit by her.

“How has it been so far?”

“Not too bad”

“Yeah, this class is super chill the teacher is cool”

As the teacher walked in the class grew silent. 

“Good morning everyone, We have a new student today, y/n please stand up, and tell us your favorite movie” the class laughed at the random question

you stood up slowly and the eyes shifted to you “ Hey everyone I’m y/n, My favorite movie is probably The Perks Of Being A Wallflower or Good Will Hunting”

“Ohhh those are good choices and your shirt is really cool, half of the FOOLS in here probably don’t even know who The Doors are beside our resident rocker Ronnie who it looks like you have found” the class got a kick out of the fool comment and you sat back down with a small giggle you felt the pressure start to fade Mr.Thomas told us to grab a book from the front of the room you looked at the title “Of Mice Of Men” He then started to read it out loud stopping to ask questions or banter back and forth with some students. Soon the bell rang and Ronnie helped you find 4th period she was right across the hall so she told you to meet her after class so you could walk to lunch together. it felt like 4th period took forever you were so hungry you were too nervous to eat this morning. As the bell rang you walked out of the class and to meet Ronnie. As you walked to lunch she started to tell you about her brothers to prepare you for who you were about to meet.

“So I eat lunch with my three brothers; Jake, Josh, and Sam. As well as Danny, Amy, and McKenzie. They can all be a hand full but I wouldn’t trade them for the world, They are gonna love you!”

“I hope so, So Ronnie what is there to do around here?”

“Um, not much. We normally hike, hang out in nature, go to the movies, or watch my brothers and Danny’s band play”

“Oh, there in a band. What kinda music?”

“Rock & Roll Baby”

“That's super rad”

“Yeah, you should come to hang out at my place after school today they will be practicing in the garage”

“That sounds awesome, I’m down”

“Yaaaay, I so needed a new friend” she said with a laugh as we approached a group of people you immediately knew it was Ronnie’s friends and family based solely on how they were dressed. you looked around with a shy smile on your face.

“Hey all, This is y/n she is new to town so I snatched her up to be a part of our group”

“Ronnie That was a very strange way to put that” said a long hair very lanky and tall boy with a laugh

Ronnie just flipped the boy off “Y/n this pain in my ass is Sam, then you have  Josh, Danny, Mckenzie, Amy, and Jake”

“Nice to meet you, y/n” said Josh really loudly with a bright smile

“Nice to meet you guys too!’ you said with a smile

“I really dig the shirt” Said Danny “We love rock!”

You here jake whisper something it sounds like “and roll” and Danny just rolled his eyes and laughs

“Well y/n, tell us about your self” Sam says, you begin to tell them about yourself and you are vibing with the whole group besides Jake who didn’t seem to be that interested in anything you have to say. You found out that you all love the same music, movie, and books. you share a couple laughs and jokes. You find yourself in awe of this group of people who are just like you. You begin to think this move wasn’t the worst thing that has ever happened to you. The bell rang and Sam walked with you because your classes were closed to each other.

~Flash Foward to 7th period~

Finally, it was time for choir you always loved to sing, music was always your escape you walked in to see Sam, Jake and Josh sitting in the tenor section Josh was the first to notice you and he smiled and waved, as the choir teacher walked in she saw you and smile lightly she ask what section you were at your previous school and you were an alto. she nodded and asked if you were comfortable to sing a solo at the end of the class once you got the songs down so she could make sure you were in the right section you smile and nodded she than sat you by Jake, you were sharing music with a girl next to you named Becky. She was super sweet and helpful the first song we sang was Stand By Me by Ben E. King she had written really great notes so you knew when to come in at one point of the song there was a solo that’s when you heard Josh singing you then noticed a very tight harmony when Jake started to sing as well you were stunned by how good they were it took you so off guard that you came in late. The next song was Summer Nights from Grease which caught you off guard it was one of your favorite musicals. You noticed there were solo sections and they had yet to assign the girl to the solo you whispered to Becky

“why isn’t there a solo section for a girl yet?”

“Mrs.Jones hasn’t picked anybody yet, she is usually pretty serious about her solos” she said with a slight laugh

“oh, that's interesting why are we sing grease”

“It’s our school play this year, you have a pretty voice. Tryouts are tomorrow after school you should give it a shot, this school needs a new female lead”

“Hmmm, I may take you up on that”

Before Mrs.Jones begin to play the opening notes to the song she asked if anybody wanted to fill in as Sandy for practice you found your self raising your hand she smiled and pointed in your direction. Jake looked in your direction and gave you a small smile that is when you realized Jake was the Danny solo. He whisper low so only I could hear “You got balls y/l/n, let’s see what you got” Mrs.Jones played the pitches for you and jake and the rest of the choir. You were a little scared but as soon as it was your turn to come in you went for it.  not caring what anybody thought you gave it your all. As the last note came out your mouth you felt a smile form on your face knowing you just crushed it. The class looked like they were in awe of the performance Mrs.Jones smiled and was like we may have just found our soloist. As everyone flipped to the next song Becky looked at you and said softly.

“You just fucking killed that”

“Thanks!”

“Now you have to try out, for sure”

You whispered softly only to Jake “How about that for balls, Jacob?” you said with a laugh, he looked at you and just rolled his eyes. Mrs.Jones spoke

“Alright, class we have time for one more song before class is over so if you guys could turn to Don’t Stop Me Now since we had a hard time with that one yesterday I would like to run through it with the remainder of the time.”

You were stoked about these songs Mrs.Jones had picked. As you guys ran through the song you zoned out before you know the bell rang. as you were leaving Mrs.Jones asked you to stay behind. you noticed the Kiszka boys were hanging around helping Mrs.Jones pick up the music stands

“Hey, y/n would you like to have the solo in Summer Nights, you gave the Kiszka boys a run for there money” she said with a slight laugh.

“Ha ha ha very funny Mrs.Jones, but y/n you were great you totally should and try out for the play tomorrow, too.” Josh Said

“Of course Mrs.Jones that would be great, What do I need to prepare for the tryouts tomorrow?”

“One scene and a song, Hopelessly Devoted for the role of Sandy”

“Okay yeah I can do that, also can someone help me find study hall?”

“Jake will help you” Josh stated his class is right across the hall

“Let me write you two a hall pass because your gonna be late.” said Mrs.Jones she then hands me and jake a late slip as we walk out of the room jake looks at me

“So you're going to try out for Sandy?”

“Yeah that’s the plan”

“Hmm you have some guts, you do know it is only your first day, right?”

“No way is that what today is, I totally forgot.” 

“You super funny, you know that?” he said really sarcastically 

“Do you only ask questions Jacob?” you say in a smartass manner

“One, don’t call me that, it’s Jake and two, it was rhetorical”

“No shit” you said bluntly and rolled your eyes

“Well as much fun as this has been your class is the last door on the left”

“Awesome”

you walked to the last door and made your way up to the desk to hand the monitor you last slip. You then looked over the room finding Ronnie with an open seat right next to her she smiled as you made your way to her.

“How was choir?”

“It was good, your bothers are great singers, and Mrs.Jones wants me to have a solo”

“What no way, That’s awesome. I didn’t know you could sing. Josh says she is super picky about her soloist, music in general too”

“I dabble, I love me some music, I also think I’m trying out for the play tomorrow”

“Josh and Jake are too, I think they are both going for Danny, so that should be interesting. Who are you trying out for?”

“Sandy, will you help me run lines”

“That's awesome, of course, if not me I'm sure my brothers will help out I told you today would be fine”

“You were so right”

“You’re still coming over right.”

“Yeah I will just have to call my mom”

“Cool I’ll text Josh and let him know your riding with us”

“Awesome”

You were stoked to hang out with your new friends and practice for the play tomorrow. Today had been awesome and you were stoked to see what tomorrow would bring.

Part Two