A newly struck print of the John Travolta vehicle Saturday Night Fever (1977) will be screened as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' "Monday Nights with Oscar" (MNWO) on Monday, August 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy Theater in New York City. This special 30th anniversary celebration will feature a post-screening discussion with actresses Karen Lynn Gorney and Donna Pescow, costume designer Patrizia von Brandenstein, and casting director Shirley Rich.
Based on a magazine article by Nik Cohn and adapted for the screen by Norman Wexler, Saturday Night Fever — directed by John Badham — tells the story of Tony Manero (Travolta), a 19-year-old paint store worker from Brooklyn who finds respite from his drab existence by shaking his tush on the local disco dance floor. There, he meets Stephanie (Gorney), another working-class disco shaker. Love and issues ensue, including drug use, sexual hangups, anti-gay bigotry, and ethnic tensions.
The film, Travolta, and the Bee Gees soundtrack — some of the poorest songs ever ("Staying Alive," "Night Fever"; I must admit, however, that I do like "If I Can't Have You") — were all major hits at the time. Travolta even managed to nab a best actor Oscar nomination. Worse yet, his dancing style spread like a deadly virus, spawning a worldwide epidemic of tacky disco dancers.
The Academy Theater is located at 111 East 59th Street in New York City. Tickets for Saturday Night Fever are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets may be reserved by calling 1-888-778-7575. Depending on availability, tickets may be purchased on the night of the screening. Doors open at 7 p.m. All seating is unreserved.
Photo: Courtesy of the Margaret Herrick Library/ © A.M.P.A.S.
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Satruday Night Fever is not nearly as bad as people think it is. There are actually some good social commentary in the film. It's not all just John Travolta dancing.