Weird and Wonderful Conspiracy Theories: 'Grease'
Harriet Wilson
Grease is legendary, so it makes sense that there are lots of conspiracy theories surrounding particularly the film version of the musical. The question is, how many of them are believable? Here are my favourites.
Sandy and Danny were dead the whole time.
This theory has done the rounds, so you've probably heard of it before. It all rests on the somewhat strange ending of the film Grease, when Sandy and Danny suddenly fly off in a car. Why? Well, one suggestion is that actually Danny didn't save Sandy from drowning earlier in the Summer. In fact, she goes into a coma (during which she dreams of being in high school with Danny) and then, when Danny's attempts at resuscitating her on the beach fail, she sees herself flying to heaven.
Olivia Newton John seems unconvinced by the theory – a view that I second, not least because there are no flying cars in the original staged version of Grease. And, frankly, it puts a real downer on an otherwise feel-good film.
Sources: https://imgur.com/RjChFGT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUcGT4sk6w8&t=82s
Sandy and Danny die in a car crash at the end.
This theory is similar, in that it ultimately centres around the tragic death of our beloved principal characters … But it's a different slant. In this theory, Sandy and Danny drink too much at their graduation, then Danny drives them home and crashes his car, causing both of their deaths (hence car flying towards heaven at the end of the film).
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/FanTheories/comments/1utny3/grease_that_ending/
Grease is set in the same world as Grand Theft Auto.
Without wanting to sound negative, this is an extremely random theory. I enjoyed it anyway. Seemingly flying cars can only exist in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, when the flying cars cheat is active. They must be linked!
The (clearly adult) cast of Grease were all undercover detectives.
Another film-based theory, this one asks what possible explanation there could be for the ages of the cast of Grease. They are clearly not students, and this theorist argues that the Pink Ladies and T-Birds have infiltrated Rydell in order to find a gang member. (A bit close to 21 Jump Street?)
Sandy helped Rizzo to get an abortion.
Mara Wilson's alternative story line is one that I can actually get behind. After all, Sandy does ask Rizzo if she can do anything to help after she finds out that she is pregnant – who's to say that it ended there? Perhaps Sandy really did help Rizzo out … and assisted her in getting an abortion.
Source: http://the-toast.net/2016/05/03/grease-sandy-and-rizzo-and-me/
Grease is one of those musicals which will never grow old. I have watched it so many times, and helping with props for a local production was my introduction into amateur dramatics, but I still can't get enough of it. In fact, researching different fan theories has reminded me that it's been a good couple of months since I last saw the film … On that note, let me leave you with the image of the Pink Ladies taking down a gang leader, and ask you to tweet me at @thespian_blog with any other weird and wonderful theories you've stumbled across.
Photo: Walnut Street Theatre