Book Review- FEVER: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
by Margo Donohue
For many, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER is remembered as that disco movie from the 1970’s where John Travolta danced to music by The Bee Gees. And they are correct. However, this common description is missing what made the film resonate with me and so many others. Author Margo Donohue understood the gap and her new book excels at connecting the dots for these two sides. In the process, she expertly serves up some inside scoop on the filmmaking process, the actors, and the era.
Author Donohue explains why opinions on the film are so widely varied. First of all, there are two versions … an R-rated version released theatrically, and a PG version that ran in prime-time television. The differences go much deeper than cleaning up the profanity. Some of the topics addressed in the original are so glossed over in the TV version that one would be excused for being unaware. At its core, the story is about a young man searching for a path to adulthood that doesn’t limit him in ways that remaining in the neighborhood would.
For film buffs, Donohue details how little faith the studio had in the film, the budgetary limitations, the change of director from John G Avildsen (coming off his Oscar win for ROCKY, 1976) to John Badham (coming off THE BINGO LONG TRAVELING ALL-STARS & MOTOR KINGS, 1976), and the concerns about whether “Welcome Back, Kotter” star John Travolta could transition his popularity from TV to the big screen. She also breaks down some of the most memorable scenes – that iconic opening strut swinging a paint can, and the significant and relatable family dinner, among others. Donohue also spills the beans on Travolta’s dance training and the choreography during filming.
Some of the best writing and research is found in the segments (seemingly) directed at those who tend to off-handedly dismiss this as just a disco dancing film. Donohue drills down into the manner in which Donna Pescow made her Annette into such a complex character. It’s a shame that the author wasn’t able to interview Travolta for the book, but many of his past quotes about playing Tony in the film are included. Personally, I always struggled with Tony choosing Stephanie as his dance partner (when she appeared to be a mediocre dancer) yet I found Stephanie to be so familiar as a person – wanting to be an adult and desperate to make herself seem so important. Both female characters are heartbreaking in their own way and Donohue provides a great deal for us to chew on.
In writing the book, Margo Donohue makes the point that much of what’s in the film would not be included were it to be remade today. Racism, misogyny, abortion, suicide, religion, family dysfunction, and sexual abuse are key elements to Badham’s true version (R, not PG). It’s a gritty street movie that offsets poverty and other less desirable attributes with some historically popular music and some stunning dance sequences. In addition to the heaviness, there are also moments of levity: “Attica!”, Marisa Tomei’s line is always good for chuckle, as is, “He hits my hair!”. My personal favorite occurs while the group is at White Castle, and they ask, “Don’t you never chew, Tony?”. If a writer chooses to take on a movie that has had a lasting impact on so many, there better be some valuable insight and some behind-the-scenes intel that pack a punch. Margo Donohue has succeeded in delivering all of that and more. Unfortunately, Ms. Donohue passed away unexpectedly earlier this year at the age of 58, and her legacy is her writing and the influence of her podcast.
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness (on the edge of town). My connection to Bruce Springsteen’s music dates back more than 50 years and includes hitchhiking (from San Antonio) to a gig at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin. As much as I loved the early tunes from his first two albums, it was the 1975 release of the “Born to Run” album that spoke to me on a mystical level. His storytelling and anthems on that instant classic, as well as the next two albums, “Darkness on the Edge of Town” and “The River”, had a way of drawing us in for a pure escape. By 1981, Springsteen’s albums were huge and his live performances were legendary and exhilarating. It’s the time period just after that serves as the basis for this film from writer-director Scott Cooper, based on the 2023 book, “Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska” by Warren Zanes.
Greetings again from the darkness. Most everyone, especially lovers of Broadway musicals, knows the work of Rodgers and Hammerstein. And they should. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are regarded among the most prolific musical production writers in history. Their projects include “The King and I”, “Carousel”, and “The Sound of Music”. Their first collaboration, “Oklahoma!” is at the center of this latest from acclaimed director Richard Linklater (his NOUVELLE VAGUE coming out this year) and writer Robert Kaplow (ME AND ORSON WELLES, 2008). Yet we can’t help but wonder why so few are familiar with the work of Rodgers and Hart. Together, composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart wrote more than one thousand songs, including “My Funny Valentine”, “The Lady is a Tramp”, and of course, “Blue Moon.”
Greetings again from the darkness. It’s unusual for a documentary to credit three directors, but these three have been involved with some of the best Texas-based documentaries. Sam Wainwright Douglas, David Hartstein, and Andrew Alden Miller have each worked on at least one of these: HONKY TONK HEAVEN: THE LEGEND OF THE BROKEN SPOKE (2016), TOWER (2016), FADERS UP: THE JOHN AIELLI EXPERIENCE (2024), and ALONG CAME KINKY … TEXAS JEWBOY FOR GOVERNOR (2009). This time, their collaboration gives us a history lesson on legendary football coach O.A. “Bum” Phillips.
Greetings again from the darkness. If the Hallmark Channel produced a Western Romance movie, it would likely look much like this one from writer-director John Schimke, who along with co-writer Mike Maden, adapted the 2009 novel from Caroline Fyffe for the silver screen. Filmed in Montana, there are some terrific landscape shots displaying the vastness of the 19th century frontier.
Greetings again from the darkness. Watching this film is how I imagine it would be to view a poem. It’s meditative and slow … somehow calming us as we contemplate the topics broached. Director Charlie McDowell (THE ONE I LOVE, 2014) and screenwriter Robert Jones have adapted the 1972 novel by Tove Jansson. Granted, it’s an unusual set up for a film shown anywhere outside of a film festival, yet because it is poignant and relatable, it’s an easy one to recommend.
Greetings again from the darkness. Real life doesn’t offer too many opportunities for ‘do-overs’. Fortunately, movies do. Dallas born-and-raised (now Los Angeles-based) Adam Saunders wears many hats for this film that was inspired by his own life. Mr. Saunders wrote the story, directed and produced the film, and takes the lead role.
Greetings again from the darkness. I’m not sure if pumpkins get short-changed with most of their attention coming only during one season, or if perhaps they receive more attention than deserved during that season. Either way, pumpkins are rarely at the center of a cinematic event … despite having their moments during animated TV specials like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Spookley, the Square Pumpkin”. Director John McPhail (the excellent ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE, 2017) sets out to change that with a screenplay by a trio of writers: Nick Guthrie (MINI’S FIRST TIME, 2006), Ruth Fletcher (“Hawaii Five-O”), and Ruth’s husband and writing partner, Christos N. Gage.
Greetings again from the darkness. Co-directors Philip Delaquis and Barbara Miller opt against an on-camera Q&A session with the Dalai Lama and instead allow His Holiness (the 14th Dalai Lama) to speak directly to the camera on topics pertinent to what’s happening in the 21st century. This approach allows the film and his words to wash over us like a meditative event … calm and soothing. His words not only guide us on ways to chill out, but also inspire us to pay close attention to the current situation.
Greetings again from the darkness. We all love a thrilling whodunit murder mystery. The best ones offer a magical blend of creative story, interesting setting, and fascinating characters. Writer-director Simon Stone (THE DIG, 2021) has delivered a film adapted from the best-selling 2016 novel by Ruth Ware. Frequent writing partners (SEBERG,2019) Joe Schrapnel and Anna Waterhouse collaborated with Stone to adapt the novel into a movie that looks great, and for the most part, fulfills the above listed requirements.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 