EXCLUSIVE: Grease star Barry Pearl talks on-set secrets and working with Olivia Newton-John
“It seems like it was just yesterday,” the actor, now 73, tells Woman’s Day of the milestone anniversary this year. “It was very much a ‘blink of an eye’ experience. I had no idea that it would become what it is today.”
“It’s interesting that so many people are astounded at the longevity of the film. I can only say that it’s a combination of several elements – number one being the amazing performances of John and Olivia and how much the camera loved them.”
Advertisement
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Grease is no longer the word for Rizzo: Stockard Channing’s latest appearance raises eyebrows
This new Grease theory will change the way you watch the movie
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Telling the story of the blossoming love between Danny and Aussie expat Sandy during a turbulent senior year at Rydell High in the summer of 1959, the musical also featured character sideline stories, including the romance between Barry’s character and Pink Lady alum Frenchy (played by Didi Conn).
WE GO TOGETHER…
While the pair shared chemistry on-screen, Barry reveals that the chemistry continued when the cameras stopped rolling, too.
“There absolutely was chemistry between Didi and me,” he says. “It’s what made our playing so real and appealing on screen. But Didi was going through some stuff in her real-life relationship and I had a girlfriend at the time, so we respected each other’s situations.”
Advertisement
“Though we were young and certainly of the partying age, most of us had partners to go home to. So, though we did party on occasion, it wasn’t as wild as some may think. Saying that, Jeff Conaway (who played Kenickie) certainly made his portable dressing trailer rock and roll a few times!”
Memories such as these are what Barry has been reflecting on during this anniversary year – memories that he says are still fresh in his mind.
“There are too many!” he says of his favourites. “But some highlights include driving the vintage car down to Thunder Road, flying across camera at the end of the Beauty School Dropout song, filming Greased Lightnin’ and eating all the stuff I could cram into my mouth during the Frosty Palace scene.”
“I also remember trying to make Olivia feel at home by hopping around the rehearsal sound stage like a kangaroo,” he laughs.
