Stockard Channing as Rizzo

David · #1 08-17-2009, 10:34 PM

Stockard Channing plays Rizzo in GREASE with such command & such craft that it's impossible to think of anyone else in the role.

Consider the scene in which Rizzo, attired in black skirt, pumps, & sunglasses, presides over the gaggle of silly female geese (including Sandy & the Pink Ladies) like Cleopatra commanding her palace plebs & slaves. And she does so with the most minimal of means: a raised eyebrow here, a disdainful twitch of the mouth there, a "shove-off" with the shapely leg, & a bored bon mot delivered with perfect timing.

In later scenes, Ms. Channing acts the part right down to the ground, investing the essentially shallow character with anxiety & desperation. The emotional stature of her performance in the girls' bathroom, & her consequent betrayal by a "pal," is as resonant & stirring as the high trumpets in contrapuntal play with the full chorus in the Gratias agimus tibi propter of Bach's B Minor Mass.

**mylittledemon** · #2 08-17-2009, 10:57 PM

Although I have tried over several viewings, & over several years, I cannot bring myself to appreciate GREASE.

iamnotafraid · #3 08-17-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

The emotional stature of her performance in the girls' bathroom, & her consequent betrayal by a "pal," is as resonant & stirring as the high trumpets in contrapuntal play with the full chorus in the Gratias agimus tibi propter of Bach's B Minor Mass.

Whoa, I just got here. Don't break my mind David.

btw, I saw Grease the only place that counts...at a drive-in.
(I was but a child)

Dodfather · #4 08-18-2009, 05:00 AM

Stockard Channing is one of my favourite actresses and is consistently under-rated. I've seen afew interviews with her and which she still enjoys Grease and is greatful for it, she says the same old thing you always hear - that her other work has been overshadowed by it. She did song some of There are Worst Thing I Could Do in an interview recently though, it was great! I love Grease!

Check out her films with Mike Nichols, Smoke with Harvey Keitel and of course Stockard as Abby Bartlet in the amazing The West Wing! I love her in this!

GODDESS6 · #5 08-18-2009, 05:15 AM

stockard is afab actres, she was a wonderful rizzo~ man i love "grease", watched it 100's of times~

i also love her as the aunt in "practical magic"

jannieC · #6 08-18-2009, 08:58 AM

There are Worse Things I Could Do is by far the best song on the soundtrack. I have seen Grease so many times over the years- I *love* it. First viewing was in the theater.

Rizzo was such a bitch but she had a vulnerable and soft side, too.

Cornflake Girl · #7 08-18-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

There are Worse Things I Could Do is by far the best song on the soundtrack. Rizzo was such a bitch but she had a vulnerable and soft side, too.

I completely agree. I don't actually appreciate Grease very much. I think I've possibly seen it so many times it's lost its effect on me. Anytime I do watch t though I'm always amazed by Stockard's performance. Up until the moment she sings 'There Are Worse Things I Could Do' she does such a brilliant job of making me dislike/disapprove of her, then all of a sudden I'm empathising! Oh, and ''Sandra Dee' has to be one of the most hilarious songs/scenes ever!

She's been one of my favourite actresses since childhood. Ialso love her in the West Wing and Practical Magic (she makes that movie IMO).

Ghost_Tracker · #8 08-18-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Stockard Channing plays Rizzo in GREASE with such command & such craft that it's impossible to think of anyone else in the role.

Sorry did you say something?
I was too busy watching Stockard Channing on "The West Wing."

Whatever you said, I'm sure it was very nice and intelligent-sounding and -
Oh COOL she's in this scene! Gotta go!