When I first heard about this theory, I mistook it as only Sandra (Olivia Newton-John) was dead the entire time. And here I was with a clever “I know what you did last summer, Danny Zuko” remark that is of no use, because it appears Mr. Summer Lovin’ (John Travolta) may have also been dead.
Over at Reddit a fan theory (which began three years ago and has picked up traction recently) speculates that either Danny or Sandy were dead for most of Grease.
Clues are scattered throughout the hit 1978 musical. From the lyrics in “Summer Nights,” where Danny supposedly saves Sandy from drowning, to the flying car at the conclusion as a metaphor for a dying Sandy ascending to Heaven.
The theory posits that Sandy is dying in a coma on the beach – the result of the drowning and a lack of oxygen. In the reprise of “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” the line “Goodbye to Sandra Dee” seems to be a clear indication that Sandra didn’t survive.
Hold on, this new #Grease theory blew my mind. Sandy died when she drowned at the beach, and the car is taking them to heaven at the end???
— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) September 7, 2016
But maybe Sandra did survive and it’s Danny that actually died.
In the Reddit thread, one user speculates that Danny is the one dying. He drowns in his attempts to save Sandy. Neither refers to the other by name in “Summer Nights” – only as “he” and “she.” So Danny gives her the name of Sandy, because of their encounter on a sandy beach. The rest of the film is his vision of how he would have liked the rest of his life to play out: Danny rekindles his love with “Sandy” after summer back at school, builds a dream car, graduates high school and rides off into the sky with his favorite gal.
Not sure if the hand jive is a cryptic sign for the passing of a loved one, but one could argue that the song “You’re the One That I Want” is the voice of god as sung by the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies.
