Journey Vergara

Grease movie collage

In 1978 hit movie “Grease” Starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John was released in theaters. Based on the musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the movie quickly became a hit in theaters and is now considered a classic of American cinema.

But what made “Grease” a hit in the first place? And why is it still so popular today?

History has shown that people love theater, from Shakespeare to Broadway, audiences love watching people perform on stage, they love entertainment. But they also love a story they can be invested in and connect to. “Grease” combines these two things to create a vibrant and fun love story that people of all ages can connect to.

I’ve seen the movie over a dozen times, and it remains one of my favorite movies of all time. Even though the movie is set in the 50s, and was released in the late 70s, (long before I was alive,) I can’t help but feel a kind of nostalgia when I watch the film. As a high schooler, I can relate to the ups and downs of school, the drama, and the feeling of being forever young.

Many others have been able to personally connect to the movie as well, Alena Williams, a high schooler shares the impact the film has had on her,

“What really impacted me with the movie ‘Grease’ was the music as well as the fashion. How the lyrics and instrumentals showed what love, passion, dive, and fashion physically and emotionally was in that decade,” Williams explains. “And I love how people wore whatever they wanted to wear. No one felt pressured to be someone they weren’t when it came to dressing and being themselves.”

Grease fashion collage of characters Sandy and Danny (Journey Vergara)”Grease” without a doubt, is one of the most successful movie musicals of all time. Greasers themselves were some of the most fashionable and toughest fashionistas of the 50s, and they heavily inspired the movie’s wardrobe.

The typical Greaser uniform look consisted of Levi Jeans, cuffed at the bottom, and Converse or motorcycle boots; the clique’s famous footwear. The all-famous leather jacket was emphasized in the film however, real greasers wore denim jackets and sometimes even varsity jackets. Much of Greaser media has portrayed this look, but in actuality, it has much more variation.

Many different sources inspired their look. Most Greasers were in the working class and rode motorcycles, leather jackets provided protection against the road and so did the jeans. Their outfits were not only fashionable but practical as well.

Other inspiration came from WWII soldiers and the police, just like those, Greasers had a uniform that was very tough-looking and durable.

A Greaser’s attire alternated depending on where they were from.

For instance, Greasers who wore Leather jackets were typically from the Northeast of the U.S. In the southwest region, they would wear Hawaiian shirts and cowboy boots! The Californians wore denim jackets mostly and and loafers.

The Greaser uniform became a staple in men’s and women’s fashion. Greasers have been portrayed in many other movies or books before, another popular portrayal is from “The Outsiders,” but “Grease” is by far the most popular depiction of this group.

“Grease” is a movie that plays on the nostalgia of the 50s. The colors are bright, the music is loud, and it gives us a peek into an era that many of us weren’t a part of.

For many viewers my age, “Grease” is a movie they were shown through their parents or siblings. It’s a movie that has been passed down through generations. Vanessa Campos, a junior, shares her experience of discovering the movie.

“I grew up watching this movie with my dad,” Campos shares. “I loved how it showed off the 50s and the way high school girls were back in the day. Frenchy and Sandy were two characters I immediately fell in love with because of how relatable they were to me. I was about six I think when I first watched it. After the first time watching it I couldn’t help but watch it more and more.”

The great thing about “Grease” is it’s diverse characters. Each one has their own personality and it is unique in their own way, there’s a piece of every character that everyone can relate to.

“This movie held a big impact on my childhood and will always remain as one of my favorite movies of all time. I love the storytelling, the cinematography, the soundtrack, the characters, and the 50s theme they pulled off so well,”  Campos said.

“Grease” will continue to remain a classic in American cinema. As the movie ages it only gains more and more charm. “Grease” is so much more than a simple movie musical. It’s a message about individuality, about friendships, and freedom. It’s a very special film, one I believe everyone should watch.