Xanadu Product Reel (unedited)

This is a part of the original 20 min. production reel that was shown to members of the press during a Xanadu convention MCA Records held promoting the movie and soundtrack in May 1980.

Excerpt from the Xanadu Preservation Society site:
On the weekend of May 16, 1980, MCA Records held a two-day mini-convention in Universal City (the studios home) promoting Xanadu and its soundtrack to industry people, retailers, movie exhibitors, press and such. MCA Record president Bob Siner announced the beginning of a four-month Xanadu Blitz that included a massive array of promotion stand-ups and displays of various sizes and in-store contests. There was also a 30-minute syndicated special called Making Xanadu as well as radio specials each on ELO and Olivia AND, in selective department stores, a Xanadu Boutique that sold replicas of some of the films outfits (some of which were featured in Ladies Home Journal.).

During this mini-con, the attendees were treated to a staged preview of the soundtrack, complete with the actual Xanadu Dancers; later, a 20-minute production reel was shown. An MCA executive would later boast, We all know Saturday Night Fever and Grease saved our business in 1978 and Xanadu will save it in 1980!

Some of you regular visitors to this YouTube account will recognize some of the audio as I lifted a few excerpts for other YouTube videos: Whenever Youre Away From Me, Im Alive and All Over The World. Now, you can see it for yourself.

Considering that the movie production was rushed towards the end, the differences between this and the final product are too many to list here, so you'll have to dig through this gold mine and report your discoveries on the commentary section. Knock yourselves, gang!

Xanadu: © 1980 Universal City Studios Inc. All Other Copyrights Acknowledged.

P. S.: no, you're not hallucinating here. I've posted parts of this rare video many years ago, due to the fact that YouTube wouldn't allow postings longer than 10 minutes. Today, pretty much any length goes. Thus, we present 'Product Reel' in whole; no edits and no place cards I use to put on this thing.

Enjoy the unedited Xanadu-ness!
Don-O (again)

Видео Xanadu Product Reel (unedited) канала XanaduPreservation