Xanadu Production Reel Part 3 of 3

This is a part of the original 20 min. production reel that was shown to members of the press during a Xanadu convention MCA Records held promoting the movie and soundtrack in May 1980.

Excerpt from the Xanadu Preservation Society site:
On the weekend of May 16, 1980, MCA Records held a two-day mini-convention in Universal City (the studios home) promoting Xanadu and its soundtrack to industry people, retailers, movie exhibitors, press and such. MCA Record president Bob Siner announced the beginning of a four-month Xanadu Blitz that included a massive array of promotion stand-ups and displays of various sizes and in-store contests. There was also a 30-minute syndicated special called Making Xanadu as well as radio specials each on ELO and Olivia AND, in selective department stores, a Xanadu Boutique that sold replicas of some of the films outfits (some of which were featured in Ladies Home Journal.).

During this mini-con, the attendees were treated to a staged preview of the soundtrack, complete with the actual Xanadu Dancers; later, a 20-minute production reel was shown. An MCA executive would later boast, We all know Saturday Night Fever and Grease saved our business in 1978 and Xanadu will save it in 1980!

Some of you regular visitors to this YouTube account will recognize some of the audio as I lifted a few excerpts for other YouTube videos: Whenever Youre Away From Me, Im Alive and All Over The World. Now, you can see it for yourself.

Considering that the movie production was rushed towards the end, the differences between this and the final product are too many to list here, so youll have to dig through this gold mine and report your discoveries on the commentary section. Knock yourselves, gang!

Xanadu: © 1980 Universal City Studios Inc. All Other Copyrights Acknowledged.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• xanadu
• 1980
• olivia
• newton
• john
• gene
• kelly
• electric
• light
• orchestra
• ELO
• outtakes
• musicals

[jmartin71]

Love those popping and locking guys at 6:06. Chain Reaction, I think?

[XanaduPreservation]

@jmartin71 Correct!

[britishcub]

its just HOPE all this 'lost' stuff finds its way on to a 2 disc 30th anniv edition...im not holding my breath though.

[XanaduPreservation]

@britishcub here here....this is probably the biggest problem Xanadu fans face everyday: the film you love getting no respect. Thick skin business, this is..

[dancesong4]

THANK YOU!!! I always wondered/hoped/knew that the '40s tap section of the finale actually had a finish . . . and now I've seen it!!!!

[Wyrehedd242]

god bless gene kelly.. what a great talent...

[debgibsonfan]

One of the greatest, most magical films ever made.

[coolpockets]

The Locking and Popping group is my group CHAIN REACTION

Only original CHAIN REACTION members were in the movie.

Thanks

[wyformerdiva]

Love the instrumental for All Over the World and of course the fact that Ozone is int he movie -- so much fun to find him! Gene and Olivia dancing together is pure heaven!

[ChanceRooney7]

@britishcub Good thing you didn't.  {{{{Sigh!}}}}

[ChanceRooney7]

If you watch the trailer to "Xanadu" on the 1999 DVD, you'll hear the beginning of the alternate version of "Whenever You're Away from Me" that is featured in this reel. A few years ago I sampled that and audio from this and made the ultimate "Xanadu" soundtrack.

[EmilyLovesApple]

Why is the wording diffrent in these clips and the scenes are added and taken out???

[dannybex]

There's actually a Xanadu PRESERVATION Society? God, poor Gene Kelly's probably skating in his grave...

Painful.

[chimera15]

awesomeness wow.

[tipton3314]

@jmartin71

if you didnt know mate,one of the guys is shabadoo (ozone) from breakin (breakdance).thought i'd let you know if you didnt already..great vid by the way,thanx for the upload