Thank you for your response. I have never met Cheryl in person but she is well respected in her industry. I was lucky enough to interview Cheryl about her experiences on Xanadu.
A huge 'thank you' to Cheryl Baxter Ratliff for sharing her memories, photos, and diary entries with us. With regards to publishing her stories, a template could be "Frenchy's Grease Scrapbook". I think it would be awesome for her and the other dancers that she is still in touch with to collaborate.
Wow...what an awesome interview with Cheryl! Her little hometown of Avoca, WI is about 11 miles from where I grew up. I remember in my hometown people lining up for blocks, waiting for the theater doors to open so they could see Cheryl in the movie Xanadu. Everyone is very proud of Cheryl and the success she has attained through her hard work. My three daughters took dance lessons from Cheryl's mother, Betty Hayes Baxter. My daughter opened her own dance studio and Miss Betty remains her Mentor and close friend. Cheryl learned to dance from the best!! Her mother is 90 and still teaches at her dance studio! Thank you Cheryl for sharing all those great memories and best wishes for your continued success. Happy trails!
Wow, David M, this is fantastic! How in the world did you manage to snag this 'exclusive'? :) * Compliments to you, David, for being a terrific interviewer. You asked a few questions and allowed your guest to really answer them without interruption. * Also, fantastic graphics, with each question as a 'title card' and the photos scanned and inserted in "post".
Questions, I have questions: * I don't think another movie released in 1980 featured dancers. Was 'Xanadu' considered a unique opportunity -or- was there plenty of work for a dancer, perhaps on television? * She mentions that a friend was 'promoted' to be a muse. Does Cheryl know if the muses were ever planned to be speaking parts? It's a shame that they weren't featured more in the plot and dance numbers. * When shooting began, was Michael Beck already cast? In a movie full of dancing and singing, surely someone commented on the strange casting choice. * In the 40s/80s number, was there any hint that Olivia was supposed to dance and sing her part? * I have read in several articles that Gene Kelly's contract specified that he WOULD NOT be dancing. And that the gorgeous dance number with Olivia was shot after the rest of filming had completed. Was there any moment during the 40s/80s number, the 'spider'/Fiorucci number, or the finale when Gene Kelly suggested he might participate? * I've read that the script was being 'rewritten daily'. During the dance numbers, was Kenny Ortega in charge or the director or both? Did it feel chaotic and rudderless? Or was there a good sense of discipline and purpose, as it appears on-screen? * 'Xanadu' was a trailblazing movie in featuring men and women of different ethnic backgrounds joyfully dancing together, a 'rainbow' of people moving across the screen. Did Cheryl realize that when she was on-set? Did anyone in her 'tiny' hometown ever comment?
I really enjoyed this..Thank you!
I'm Brazilian, and a fan of Cheryl because of Tiktok! I'm delighted to know this side of her story! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your response. I have never met Cheryl in person but she is well respected in her industry. I was lucky enough to interview Cheryl about her experiences on Xanadu.
PLEASE Cheryl create a book of your Xanadu candids!
Cheryl really should do a Xanadu memoir with pics now, it would EXPLODE and all the fans would be so appreciative! This is a cult phenomenon and her personal photo collection is hers to publish however she wants, they’re her shots, copyright © them as hers. It would be so lovely to see behind the scenes of that with Olivia, Gene and cast. It would be great with the stories behind the scenes, she honestly has a DIAMOND 💎 in her hands.
A huge 'thank you' to Cheryl Baxter Ratliff for sharing her memories, photos, and diary entries with us.
With regards to publishing her stories, a template could be "Frenchy's Grease Scrapbook". I think it would be awesome for her and the other dancers that she is still in touch with to collaborate.
This is fabulous
Awesome job, David! Thanks so much for sharing! You should get it to Olivia!
Wow...what an awesome interview with Cheryl! Her little hometown of Avoca, WI is about 11 miles from where I grew up. I remember in my hometown people lining up for blocks, waiting for the theater doors to open so they could see Cheryl in the movie Xanadu. Everyone is very proud of Cheryl and the success she has attained through her hard work. My three daughters took dance lessons from Cheryl's mother, Betty Hayes Baxter. My daughter opened her own dance studio and Miss Betty remains her Mentor and close friend. Cheryl learned to dance from the best!! Her mother is 90 and still teaches at her dance studio! Thank you Cheryl for sharing all those great memories and best wishes for your continued success. Happy trails!
Thank you for the lovely message.
Loved the interview! Thank you for doing this.
This is so great. Thank you for adding to the history of Xanadu!!!
Wow, David M, this is fantastic! How in the world did you manage to snag this 'exclusive'? :)
* Compliments to you, David, for being a terrific interviewer. You asked a few questions and allowed your guest to really answer them without interruption.
* Also, fantastic graphics, with each question as a 'title card' and the photos scanned and inserted in "post".
Thank you for the response. I really appreciate it.
Questions, I have questions:
* I don't think another movie released in 1980 featured dancers. Was 'Xanadu' considered a unique opportunity -or- was there plenty of work for a dancer, perhaps on television?
* She mentions that a friend was 'promoted' to be a muse. Does Cheryl know if the muses were ever planned to be speaking parts? It's a shame that they weren't featured more in the plot and dance numbers.
* When shooting began, was Michael Beck already cast? In a movie full of dancing and singing, surely someone commented on the strange casting choice.
* In the 40s/80s number, was there any hint that Olivia was supposed to dance and sing her part?
* I have read in several articles that Gene Kelly's contract specified that he WOULD NOT be dancing. And that the gorgeous dance number with Olivia was shot after the rest of filming had completed. Was there any moment during the 40s/80s number, the 'spider'/Fiorucci number, or the finale when Gene Kelly suggested he might participate?
* I've read that the script was being 'rewritten daily'. During the dance numbers, was Kenny Ortega in charge or the director or both? Did it feel chaotic and rudderless? Or was there a good sense of discipline and purpose, as it appears on-screen?
* 'Xanadu' was a trailblazing movie in featuring men and women of different ethnic backgrounds joyfully dancing together, a 'rainbow' of people moving across the screen. Did Cheryl realize that when she was on-set? Did anyone in her 'tiny' hometown ever comment?