1970s Iconic Movie Set Piece Expecting To Sell For $300,000
The iconic dance floor from the 1977 disco movie Saturday Night Fever is expected to fetch up to $300,000 when bidding opens via the upcoming Hollywood Legends auction in June. The set piece, adorned with vibrant flashing lights, served as the perfect stage for Tony Manero (played by John Travolta) to showcase his legendary dance moves in his signature white shirt.
The Dance Floor
Spanning over 24 feet in length and 16 feet in width, the dance floor boasts 288 light bulbs that illuminate in intricate patterns, as detailed in the auction listing by Julien’s Auctions. Originally crafted for the film, it was installed at the 2001 Odyssey Disco in Brooklyn, New York, where many Saturday Night Fever scenes were filmed.
When filming wrapped, the Saturday Night Fever dance floor remained at the club until it closed, after which a staff member purchased it.
Other items up for auction include a prop of the Ark of the Covenant from Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jeff Bridges’ bowling costume from the final scenes of The Big Lebowski. These items are expected to fetch $70,000 and $200,000 respectively.
Tony Finds A Refuge In Dance
Saturday Night Fever follows the story of 19-year-old paint store clerk Tony Manero, who finds solace and purpose in the Brooklyn disco dance scene. Through dance, Tony finds an outlet for his frustrations with his dead-end job and strained family life. The film explores themes of working-class struggles, masculinity, and the search for purpose and meaning in life.
The Music
Alongside the compelling character-driven narrative, Saturday Night Fever is also celebrated for its epic soundtrack by the Bee Gees, which included hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “Saturday Night Fever.”
Along with the movie from director John Badham, these songs played a major role in revitalizing disco’s popularity during a time when its prominence was fading.
Saturday Night Fever was a box office success, catapulting John Travolta to superstardom. The film earned $237 million worldwide, with $94 million of that coming from the US alone.
The movie’s re-release with a PG cut in 1979 added nearly $9 million in America, contributing to its overall box office haul.
Staying Alive
These successes, which included an Academy Award nomination for Travolta, led to a sequel, Staying Alive. Released in 1983, the movie was directed by Sylvester Stallone.
The film continues the story of Tony Manero, who has moved to Manhattan and works as a dance instructor and waiter while pursuing his dream of starring in Broadway dance productions.
The plot revolves around Tony’s relationships with two women, Jackie and Laura, as they all audition for the Broadway production “Satan’s Alley.”
The film received mixed reviews, with critics noting its departure from the gritty realism of Saturday Night Fever. Despite the negative reception, Staying Alive was a commercial success, earning over $127 million worldwide.
A Huge Impact On Dance Movies
Saturday Night Fever had a major impact on the dance movie genre. The movie’s influence is evident in various dance-themed films that followed, drawing inspiration from its style, music, and storytelling. The list includes Dirty Dancing, Step Up, Center Stage, and Grease – which starred Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
Source: CNN
