THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY of the movie Grease was an opportunity to restore the film using twenty-first-century technology. In 2018, the Paramount archival team went back to the original sound mix of the 70mm version. Celluloid film has so much inherent information in it that can still be mined before it is lost as the film degrades over time. Using High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, we were able to bring out greater contrast and richer gradations of colors that were preserved in the original negative.
Working with the Paramount team on the digital restoration in 2018
© Nikki Jee/Courtesy Randal Kleiser
John, Olivia, Didi, Barry, and I attended a special screening of the movie at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater on August 15, 2018, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Mario Lopez led us through some great memories in front of an audience excited to see the restored film on the big screen.
Everywhere I go in the world, I hear how much people love the movie, from kids to teenagers to grandparents. Grease had hit songs, cool dance moves, and great lines. But I think the connection people have with the movie is in large part due to the connection the actors all felt with one another.
A reunion for the fortieth-anniversary screening of Grease, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 2018
© Matt Petit/Courtesy Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
© Matt Petit/Courtesy Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences