Does anyone else think the movie Xanadu was partly influenced by Bewitched? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 01-11-2010, 09:17 PM

For some reason, I was thinking about the 1980 flop musical turned cult classic Xanadu, which starred Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly and Michael Beck. It dawned on me that there are quite a few similarities between the movie and Bewitched!

You take a gorgeous, blond supernatural female (Samantha is a witch, Kira is a muse) and a mortal man with darker hair. Mortal man and supernatural female fall in love, only for the man to be shocked by the true origins of the girl. (As an added bonus, both men are hard-working but down on their luck with dopey bosses.) Heck, even the scenes where the truth is revealed are similar!

*The moment of truth* (Bewitched, pilot episode):

Darrin Stephens: You're a what?
Samantha: I'm a witch!
Darrin Stephens: That's wonderful. We'll talk about it tomorrow.
Samantha: Now! I am a witch. A real broom-riding, house-haunting, cauldron-stirring witch.
Darrin Stephens: It MUST be the champagne. Now, darling, it's been a hectic day for both of us. This getting married is tougher than it looks.
Samantha: Would I say I am a witch if I'm not?
Darrin Stephens: I don't know. I have an aunt who thinks she's a lighthouse. Whenever it rains she insists on climbing up on the garage roof to warn the sailors.
Samantha: How do you know she isn't a lighthouse?
Darrin Stephens: Huh?
Samantha: Maybe you were the one who was looking straight at a lighthouse and thought you were seeing an old lady on a garage roof.

Darrin Stephens: I'm from Missouri. Do you know what that means? Show me.

Darrin Stephens: I wish I had a drink.
[drink appears in his hand]
Darrin Stephens: ... an Old Fashioned?
[an Old Fashioned drink appears]
Darrin Stephens: ... and a straw?
[straw appears in drink]
Darrin Stephens: You're a witch!
Samantha: That's what I've been trying to tell you.
[Darrin begins to faint and Samantha sends a chair over to catch him.)

*The moment of truth* (Xanadu):

Kira: Have you ever heard the expression "kissed by a muse"? Well, that's what I am. I'm a muse.
Sonny: Well, I'm glad someone's having a good time.
Kira: Oh, don't make jokes; I'm serious.

Kira: Look up "muse" in the dictionary. Go on, page seven twenty-eight. Read it!
Sonny: Okay, all right. I'll read it.
[reading]
Sonny: "Muse; any one of the nine sister...”
Kira: Like the album cover? Mm-hmm?
Sonny: [reading] "Any one of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology, presiding over song, and poetry, and the arts and do you believe me now, Sonny?" How'd you do that? What's going on?
Kira: [Points at the TV] The television!
[the television comes on and is showing a movie in black and white with two characters, Nick and Vargas, having a conversation when Nick pulls a gun]
Nick: What should I do, Sonny? Dive at him, um, or make a martini?
Vargas: Who you talking to?
Nick: Sonny Malone. He doesn't believe Kira's a muse.
Sonny: How can you be talking to me? You're a movie!
Vargas: I ain't got time for this, Malone. Brenda's the only one that saw me at the racetrack. Now if the lady says she's a muse, she's a muse.
[Brenda Trent enters, played by Kira, who is still also outside of the television screen]
Vargas: Who's that? Brenda!
Sonny: Kira!
Brenda Trent: Sonny.
[Sonny slumps into a chair]
Nick: I think he needs a drink.
Kira: It's okay; I'll take care of it. Thanks!
Nick: Good luck on the opening of your joint, kid.
[Puts his hands up]
Nick: Wish I could be there.
[the television goes off]

catlover79 · 01-12-2010, 01:52 AM

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Marvo301 · 01-12-2010, 02:02 AM

I never noticed those similarities until you pointed them out. It seems at least possible that the creators of Xanadu may have drawn some inspiration from Bewitched.

catlover79 · 01-12-2010, 02:05 AM

I never noticed the similarities myself until just a couple of days ago. I haven't seen Xanadu in ages, though I do have the soundtrack on my iPod.

TV Knowledge Fan · 01-12-2010, 04:28 AM

...was supposed to be an updated version of Rita Hayworth's 1947 Columbia musical "Down To Earth", yes, certain parts of it were reminiscent of the pilot episode of "BEWITCHED". And, because of Gene Kelly's presence, there were echoes of "Singin' in the Rain" as well. The people who conceived the movie seemed to borrow a little bit of everything...yet it pleased almost no one when it was first released in 1980 (the only "hit" to emerge from it was Olivia's song "Magic", which made the soundtrack album more of a success than the film itself). With the passage of time, it's now safe to enjoy it for what it is- even the Broadway revival of it celebrated the joy and pure fun it was intended to be...

comedyfreak · 01-12-2010, 06:51 AM

I've never seen Xanadu, so I wouldn't have picked up on anything.

catlover79 · 01-12-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...was supposed to be an updated version of Rita Hayworth's 1947 Columbia musical "Down To Earth", yes, certain parts of it were reminiscent of the pilot episode of "BEWITCHED". And, because of Gene Kelly's presence, there were echoes of "Singin' in the Rain" as well. The people who conceived the movie seemed to borrow a little bit of everything...yet it pleased almost no one when it was first released in 1980 (the only "hit" to emerge from it was Olivia's song "Magic", which made the soundtrack album more of a success than the film itself). With the passage of time, it's now safe to enjoy it for what it is- even the Broadway revival of it celebrated the joy and pure fun it was intended to be...

Great post!! You're right, "Magic" was a HUGE hit in the summer of 1980. ONJ still performs "Magic" and "Xanadu" in her concerts. Gene Kelly's character's name in Xanadu (Danny McGuire) was the same as his character in 1944's Cover Girl. So that's another movie that Xanadu drew influence from.

catlover79 · 01-21-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

I've never seen Xanadu, so I wouldn't have picked up on anything.

It's one of the greatest camp classics of all time!!!

Marvo301 · 01-21-2010, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Great post!! You're right, "Magic" was a HUGE hit in the summer of 1980. ONJ still performs "Magic" and "Xanadu" in her concerts. Gene Kelly's character's name in Xanadu (Danny McGuire) was the same as his character in 1944's Cover Girl. So that's another movie that Xanadu drew influence from.

I had a summer job in 1980 and always listened to the car radio on the way to work. "Magic" seemed to be on everyday! That was fine with me since I really like that song!

MickeyMac · 01-21-2010, 11:07 AM

To be fair I cant say since I have never seen the movie because I think Olivia Newton John's voice sounds like nails on the chalkboard.

catlover79 · 01-21-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

To be fair I cant say since I have never seen the movie because I think Olivia Newton John's voice sounds like nails on the chalkboard.

To each his own - I've always been a big fan of ONJ.

catlover79 · 01-22-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I had a summer job in 1980 and always listened to the car radio on the way to work. "Magic" seemed to be on everyday! That was fine with me since I really like that song!

1980, with the exception of the movie flopping, was a terrific year for Olivia Newton-John - both professionally and personally. Three of her songs from the soundtrack became hits: "Magic" went to #1, the title track went to #8 and "Suddenly" made it to #20. Not only that, but the two duets she recorded with Andy Gibb for his last studio album, After Dark ("Rest Your Love on Me" and "I Can't Help It"), became hits as well.

On the set of Xanadu, ONJ met a young actor/dancer named Matt Lattanzi, who in 1984 would become her first husband and eventually the father of her only child, Chloe. The next year would see the release of her biggest hit ever, "Physical" (10 weeks at #1), and the follow-up, "Make a Move on Me" went to #5.

So all in all, I think Xanadu did a lot of good things for Olivia in the long run. It shared another thing with Bewitched: to believe in magic and to believe that dreams can come true.

01-11-2010, 09:17 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Does anyone else think the movie Xanadu was partly influenced by Bewitched? For some reason, I was thinking about the 1980 flop musical turned cult classic Xanadu, which starred Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly and Michael Beck. It dawned on me that there are quite a few similarities between the movie and Bewitched! You take a gorgeous, blond supernatural female (Samantha is a witch, Kira is a muse) and a mortal man with darker hair. Mortal man and supernatural female fall in love, only for the man to be shocked by the true origins of the girl. (As an added bonus, both men are hard-working but down on their luck with dopey bosses.) Heck, even the scenes where the truth is revealed are similar! The moment of truth (Bewitched, pilot episode): Darrin Stephens: You're a what? Samantha: I'm a witch! Darrin Stephens: That's wonderful. We'll talk about it tomorrow. Samantha: Now! I am a witch. A real broom-riding, house-haunting, cauldron-stirring witch. Darrin Stephens: It MUST be the champagne. Now, darling, it's been a hectic day for both of us. This getting married is tougher than it looks. Samantha: Would I say I am a witch if I'm not? Darrin Stephens: I don't know. I have an aunt who thinks she's a lighthouse. Whenever it rains she insists on climbing up on the garage roof to warn the sailors. Samantha: How do you know she isn't a lighthouse? Darrin Stephens: Huh? Samantha: Maybe you were the one who was looking straight at a lighthouse and thought you were seeing an old lady on a garage roof. Darrin Stephens: I'm from Missouri. Do you know what that means? Show me. Darrin Stephens: I wish I had a drink. [drink appears in his hand] Darrin Stephens: ... an Old Fashioned? [an Old Fashioned drink appears] Darrin Stephens: ... and a straw? [straw appears in drink] Darrin Stephens: You're a witch! Samantha: That's what I've been trying to tell you. [Darrin begins to faint and Samantha sends a chair over to catch him.) The moment of truth (Xanadu): Kira: Have you ever heard the expression "kissed by a muse"? Well, that's what I am. I'm a muse. Sonny: Well, I'm glad someone's having a good time. Kira: Oh, don't make jokes; I'm serious. Kira: Look up "muse" in the dictionary. Go on, page seven twenty-eight. Read it! Sonny: Okay, all right. I'll read it. [reading] Sonny: "Muse; any one of the nine sister...” Kira: Like the album cover? Mm-hmm? Sonny: [reading] "Any one of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology, presiding over song, and poetry, and the arts and do you believe me now, Sonny?" How'd you do that? What's going on? Kira: [Points at the TV] The television! [the television comes on and is showing a movie in black and white with two characters, Nick and Vargas, having a conversation when Nick pulls a gun] Nick: What should I do, Sonny? Dive at him, um, or make a martini? Vargas: Who you talking to? Nick: Sonny Malone. He doesn't believe Kira's a muse. Sonny: How can you be talking to me? You're a movie! Vargas: I ain't got time for this, Malone. Brenda's the only one that saw me at the racetrack. Now if the lady says she's a muse, she's a muse. [Brenda Trent enters, played by Kira, who is still also outside of the television screen] Vargas: Who's that? Brenda! Sonny: Kira! Brenda Trent: Sonny. [Sonny slumps into a chair] Nick: I think he needs a drink. Kira: It's okay; I'll take care of it. Thanks! Nick: Good luck on the opening of your joint, kid. [Puts his hands up] Nick: Wish I could be there. [the television goes off] Attached Images
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013 Last edited by catlover79; 01-21-2010 at 02:13 PM.

01-12-2010, 02:02 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I never noticed those similarities until you pointed them out. It seems at least possible that the creators of Xanadu may have drawn some inspiration from Bewitched.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

01-12-2010, 06:51 AM	#6
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I've never seen Xanadu, so I wouldn't have picked up on anything.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

01-12-2010, 01:52 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	. Attached Images

01-12-2010, 02:05 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I never noticed the similarities myself until just a couple of days ago. I haven't seen Xanadu in ages, though I do have the soundtrack on my iPod.

01-12-2010, 04:28 AM	#5
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Even though "Xanadu"... ...was supposed to be an updated version of Rita Hayworth's 1947 Columbia musical "Down To Earth", yes, certain parts of it were reminiscent of the pilot episode of "BEWITCHED". And, because of Gene Kelly's presence, there were echoes of "Singin' in the Rain" as well. The people who conceived the movie seemed to borrow a little bit of everything...yet it pleased almost no one when it was first released in 1980 (the only "hit" to emerge from it was Olivia's song "Magic", which made the soundtrack album more of a success than the film itself). With the passage of time, it's now safe to enjoy it for what it is- even the Broadway revival of it celebrated the joy and pure fun it was intended to be...

01-21-2010, 11:07 AM	#10
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	To be fair I cant say since I have never seen the movie because I think Olivia Newton John's voice sounds like nails on the chalkboard.