Maynard presents the second greatest musical from 1980: Xanadu.
Xanadu will be screened for your viewing pleasure in Sydney for one night only on Saturday 13th September, 8.30pm as part of Sydney Underground Film Festival at The Dendy Cinema, Newtown.
Then join us afterwards for the unlikely 1980 Disco afterparty at Bootleggers, upstairs at Kelly’s On King almost next door in King Street, Newtown from around 10.30pm. I’ll be your DJ, so you’ve been warned.
Olivia Newton-John as the Greek muse Terpsichore comes to earth to inspire two guys who are low on their creative juices. One is Gene Kelly in his last big starring movie role, the other one is Michael Beck, hot off The Warriors and coincidentally also in his last big starring movie role.
The Electric Light Orchestra do the soundtrack to a seemingly never-ending festival of flowing drapery and fluoro.
Gene Kelly, 72 years old at the time, risks his life roller skating in the finale that is over the top and under the table at the same time.
Olivia Newton-John was in this film instead of Can’t Stop the Music. Frankly I think she should have been in both, and probably Spice World as well. Every moment she’s on the screen is the best part of the film. Sadly she only gets one outfit for most of it, then gets about 10 different outfits in the final minutes.
Get your tickets from Dendy Newtown
This film is for anyone who has stapled a ribbon to a stick and run around the house imagining they are in the rhythmic gymnastics at the Olympics. My favourite number is All Over the World, for its blatant over-acting from almost every extra and the special effects that you may have seen in Tron and The Black Hole.
Scholars of Ancient Greek mythology will be bewildered and confused, but potentially entertained.
Xanadu is a much-maligned movie. Unfairly so, considering it was originally conceived to be even more of a roller disco movie than it turned out. It is often given the back handed compliment of being a “guilty pleasure”. Let us absolve you of your roller skate induced guilt! Unless you are Catholic, feel no shame whatsoever and enjoy every ELO-filled moment of movement from a cast best described as disco diverse.
If you came to last year’s Village People screening, you know we encourage singing and dancing, so glide along to Xanadu in what will be the most shameless cinema environment in Sydney. There will be lo-fi but unique prizes for best outfits.
Actual roller skates are not encouraged at the screening. Think of them as a signifier, or a metaphor, on how your life could be if you hung out with the guy from The Warriors (Micheal Beck).
What other film offers so many genres of music, with so much colour and roller-skated movement? It’s FUN in the extreme.
If you still have criticisms of this misunderstood masterpiece, you’re the one with issues, not us. We’ll be dancin’ at the after party …
Tickets are limited, as are the number of discerning people who love this leg warmer of a musical. There is nothing quite like sharing the enjoyment of the unique film with a loud cinema of like minded people. To quote Olivia herself from the film “I thought we were going roller skating.” Well you are, but without the bruising.
Watch Maynard interview with Olivia Newton-John & some of her career highlights.
Download your free 2025/2026 Xanadu calendar
Filmink – Xanadu at 45: Be a Xanadu, Not a Xanadon’t. Why I think Xanadu should not be poo-pooed.
