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Grease 2: A novel
The antics of the Pink Ladies, Thunderbirds, and other members of the new generation at Rydell High. Sequel to Grease.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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About the author
William Rotsler
79 books8 followersWilliam "Bill" Rotsler was an American cartoonist and graphic artist; author of several science fiction novels and short stories, and television and film novelizations, and non-fiction works on a variety of topics, ranging from Star Trek to pornography; a prominent member of science fiction fandom; and a sculptor, primarily in metal, who contributed to the art at the entrance to the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters.
Pseudonyms:
Victor W. II Appleton, William Arrow, Andrew Garth, John Ryder Hall, Cord Heller, Latham Hilliard, Linda Holland, Harmony Holt, Lothar Korda, Honey Malcom, Hord Markham, Clay McCord, Howard Scott Miles, Clint Randall, Beverly Sorenson, Beth Waring, Fletcher Westflag.
Pseudonyms:
Victor W. II Appleton, William Arrow, Andrew Garth, John Ryder Hall, Cord Heller, Latham Hilliard, Linda Holland, Harmony Holt, Lothar Korda, Honey Malcom, Hord Markham, Clay McCord, Howard Scott Miles, Clint Randall, Beverly Sorenson, Beth Waring, Fletcher Westflag.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 15, 2020
After the disappointment of the first Grease novelization being told from Sonny's point of view, I was quite apprehensive about this one. I wasn't expecting it to exist, but found it after looking it up on the off chance. I have to say, the Grease 2 novelization is much better than its predecessor, and I really enjoyed it.
William Rotsler has done a much better job of sticking to the film, than Ron de Christofro did of the first - as I mentioned in my review for the first, it was almost like Ron had only seen bits from the screenplay and was making up the rest as he went along. And telling it from Sonny's perspective was the wrong way to tell the story.
It's a fairly average length novelization, coming in at 152 pages, and there's a few additional scenes included, but thankfully, the songs are considerably cut - only a few lines from the songs exist as part of the characters dialogue, which is OK when it's just one or two lines. When they start reciting pretty much verse and chorus, it does lean towards being a little more cringeworthy.
The additional/extended scenes include:
Michael's uncle and aunt exist (they were clearly cut from the final film, as they appear more than once) and Michael uncle Tommy shows him the air raid shelter. This makes a lot more sense than it does in the film, as all we see is Michael working on the essays for everyone else in here.
Eugene gets frisked for his lunch money by the T-Birds and also walks into the boys toilets, when Michael and Goose are arranging another essay to write - Eugene says that his "mother was right".
There is more detail about Mr Spears breakdown, when Mr Stuart gets introduced.
Blanche and Coach Calhoun have a conversation about what happened in the Sex Ed class (this was done as a way to explain what happened when the "Reproduction" song is sung).
Frenchy is the one who provides the leathers to Michael for his jaunt as the "Cool Rider" of Stephanie's dreams, because Frenchy just happened to have some leather from a previous class.
The one bugbear I always had was how Rhonda breaks her nose (rather than have the nose job that she was wanting) - this is explained in the novelization and it is the result of a door hitting her in the face.
There is an extended scene between Michael and Frenchy in the chemistry lab, after Michael's first appearance as the "Cool Rider".
On the night of the Talent Show, Michael heads towards Griffith Park Observatory, which would be nice for readers if they knew the area. But then he also appears during the Talent Show, trying to talk to Stephanie - this is a bit that I was glad was cut from the final film, as when Michael does finally reveal who he is to Stephanie, it makes it all the better for not seeing him in the lead up to this. He also appears at the luau, before the big reveal, telling Frenchy that he doesn't think Stephanie is worth it.
By the end of the book, Paulette and Johnny's relationship is now reversed, with Paulette more in charge and telling Johnny off for parading around without his shirt on.
Dolores also appears to stuff her bra with tissues to win over Davey, which makes more sense when she approaches Michael at the end of the film.
Mr Stuart's and Miss Mason's relationship is confirmed with some more dialogue between them, which was left a bit open ended in the film, I felt - with them disappearing behind the flowers.
The author did have a nasty habit of frequently referencing the characters full names, repeatedly. Even the minor characters, the majority of the time, they were referred to by their first name and last name. This gets a bit frustrating and repetitive, as it's really not necessary past the first introduction.
I would say as well, Mr Stuart comes across as a bit of a lech in the book, moreso than the timid man who is scared of females in the film. He constantly is referred to as looking at the girls/women in a lecherous way, and Stephanie also feels this during the book.
Grease 1 and 2 have always been my guilty pleasure films, and while I would not recommend the first novelization, I would definitely recommend this one, as it's a considerable improvement, and definitely worthwhile tracking down, before the price increases any more.
William Rotsler has done a much better job of sticking to the film, than Ron de Christofro did of the first - as I mentioned in my review for the first, it was almost like Ron had only seen bits from the screenplay and was making up the rest as he went along. And telling it from Sonny's perspective was the wrong way to tell the story.
It's a fairly average length novelization, coming in at 152 pages, and there's a few additional scenes included, but thankfully, the songs are considerably cut - only a few lines from the songs exist as part of the characters dialogue, which is OK when it's just one or two lines. When they start reciting pretty much verse and chorus, it does lean towards being a little more cringeworthy.
The additional/extended scenes include:
Michael's uncle and aunt exist (they were clearly cut from the final film, as they appear more than once) and Michael uncle Tommy shows him the air raid shelter. This makes a lot more sense than it does in the film, as all we see is Michael working on the essays for everyone else in here.
Eugene gets frisked for his lunch money by the T-Birds and also walks into the boys toilets, when Michael and Goose are arranging another essay to write - Eugene says that his "mother was right".
There is more detail about Mr Spears breakdown, when Mr Stuart gets introduced.
Blanche and Coach Calhoun have a conversation about what happened in the Sex Ed class (this was done as a way to explain what happened when the "Reproduction" song is sung).
Frenchy is the one who provides the leathers to Michael for his jaunt as the "Cool Rider" of Stephanie's dreams, because Frenchy just happened to have some leather from a previous class.
The one bugbear I always had was how Rhonda breaks her nose (rather than have the nose job that she was wanting) - this is explained in the novelization and it is the result of a door hitting her in the face.
There is an extended scene between Michael and Frenchy in the chemistry lab, after Michael's first appearance as the "Cool Rider".
On the night of the Talent Show, Michael heads towards Griffith Park Observatory, which would be nice for readers if they knew the area. But then he also appears during the Talent Show, trying to talk to Stephanie - this is a bit that I was glad was cut from the final film, as when Michael does finally reveal who he is to Stephanie, it makes it all the better for not seeing him in the lead up to this. He also appears at the luau, before the big reveal, telling Frenchy that he doesn't think Stephanie is worth it.
By the end of the book, Paulette and Johnny's relationship is now reversed, with Paulette more in charge and telling Johnny off for parading around without his shirt on.
Dolores also appears to stuff her bra with tissues to win over Davey, which makes more sense when she approaches Michael at the end of the film.
Mr Stuart's and Miss Mason's relationship is confirmed with some more dialogue between them, which was left a bit open ended in the film, I felt - with them disappearing behind the flowers.
The author did have a nasty habit of frequently referencing the characters full names, repeatedly. Even the minor characters, the majority of the time, they were referred to by their first name and last name. This gets a bit frustrating and repetitive, as it's really not necessary past the first introduction.
I would say as well, Mr Stuart comes across as a bit of a lech in the book, moreso than the timid man who is scared of females in the film. He constantly is referred to as looking at the girls/women in a lecherous way, and Stephanie also feels this during the book.
Grease 1 and 2 have always been my guilty pleasure films, and while I would not recommend the first novelization, I would definitely recommend this one, as it's a considerable improvement, and definitely worthwhile tracking down, before the price increases any more.
February 6, 2021
I think this is the first film novelisation I’ve read, so wasn’t really sure what to expect. We’re not talking literary genius here, but it was a short, fun read, that stuck fairly closely to the film. I particularly enjoyed the way the film’s song lyrics were incorporated into the dialogue. Definitely inspired to dig out the DVD for a bit of Cool Rider now!
April 19, 2020
I read this a few years ago now, but I've never forgotten how shockingly bad I found it!! It was a faithful novelization of the film but weirdly, I think that's the problem and It's not a patch on the film. I'll stick to watching it, not reading it.
September 14, 2020
I was so in love with this movie when I was a kid. I've had this book for years but never read it until now. It's different in many ways from the movie with the most obvious being the songs were sort of talked through as words in conversations.
May 11, 2014
Brilliant
April 27, 2023
It does follow the film pretty well, though the T-Birds were a bit more hostile than in the movie. I was thrilled that a lot of the unnamed characters, Michael DiMente’s “Student with Bass Guitar” was named Bruce Sanders in the novel. The scene with Michael and his uncle (in the deleted scenes he was played by Newhart’s Tom Poston) and showing Michael the fallout shelter. Also the salvage yard was named Pfeil’s. I’m working on a tremendously large “Fan-Script” of Grease 2, basically a complete accurate re-telling of the movie, from beginning to end, and the novel helped me immensely in giving characters names and filling in gaps, as I reintegrated three deleted scenes (Dave’s asking for Michael’s help with his essay, Frenchy teaching Michael how to be a Tough Guy, and the scene with Michael and his Uncle Tom Anderson.
For hardcore Grease2ers, I’d definitely recommend this book!
For hardcore Grease2ers, I’d definitely recommend this book!
April 23, 2021
The worst sequel novel ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2024
Have you ever read a book where the songs from the movie are turned into dialogue? It made me laugh out loud and fall in love all over again with these characters! While this book follows the movie pretty closely there are moments added to move the story along and some parts have been changed completely from the movie. I loved this book from the second I found it and read it, it is on the top of my list for rereads and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the movie! Plus Grease 2 is way better than Grease (yes, I said it and I stand by it!!)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews