‘Grease’ Still Hot For Local Movie Fans
Searchlights blazed, movie stars waved, teenagers screamed, flashbulbs popped - it had all of the frenzy of a true Hollywood-style movie premiere as “Grease” turned 20.
The Fox Theater in downtown Spokane hosted what was officially billed as the Northwest Twentieth Anniversary Premiere of “Grease” on Saturday night. The rest of the country has to wait until Friday to see the re-released version, but Spokane landed the only benefit premiere outside of L.A.
Spokane’s event may have actually had more screams per second than at the L.A. premiere, according to those who attended both.
“That’s what’s fun about doing it here,” said Christina Hammer, representing Paramount. “There’s so much enthusiasm.”
The line on Sprague Avenue was already a block long two hours before the show. All 890 tickets were sold out weeks ago, but these people wanted to see the stars arrive.
About an hour before the start time, the crowd let out a roar. A KZZU-FM Hummer vehicle pulled up and disgorged three “Grease” actors: Jeff Conaway, who played the movie’s second lead, Kenickie; Kelly Ward, who played Putzie; and Ellen Travolta, who played a waitress and who also happens to be the sister of the guy who plays Danny Zuko.
The three proceeded to sign autographs and pose for pictures before being whisked inside.
“I always loved Kenickie the most!” shouted one woman as the crowd mobbed Jeff Conaway. “What a stud!”
Leanne Wagner, 21, had Ward sign a “Grease” bubble-gum card.
“We used to act this movie out, all of the time,” said Wagner, who was wearing a “Pink Ladies” jacket.
Tootsie Goetz had stood in line since 4 p.m., holding a birthday card for her 20-year-old son. Her plan - to get John Travolta to sign it. She had this feeling that he would be there.
“If he doesn’t show up, I’ll have Ellen sign it,” she said. “She’s just as cool.”
John didn’t show up, nor was he ever expected to. He’s up to his neck in interviews and appearances for “Primary Colors,” which opened Friday.
The crowd didn’t seem fazed. They gave standing ovations to Ellen Travolta, Ward and Conaway during a brief ceremony on the Fox stage before the movie.
Conaway, wearing a Kenickie-like leather jacket, ran to the microphone and shouted, “Who wants a hickey from Kenickie?”
The crowd went insane.
Conaway is accustomed to live “Grease” audiences. He recently did three months in the Broadway cast of “Grease,” in the role of Vince. Conaway is also familiar from his role as Bobby in “Taxi” and his current role in “Babylon 5,” but he said that his “Grease” role will live longest.
“I think that movie’s going to be around for another 100 years,” said Conaway. “There’s just not another movie like it.”
The evening was a hugely successful fund-raiser for the the Helen Burke Travolta Memorial Fund for the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre.
The Travolta connection is what brought the premiere to Spokane. Ellen Travolta lives in Coeur d’Alene and she has appeared in the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. John himself has been known to show up in the theater’s audience.
Together, they cooked up the plan for this benefit. The fund is named after their late mother, who encouraged all of her children to love and participate in theater. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos (1 Color)
MEMO: Cut in Spokane edition