Xanadu

Xanadu

Year: 1980

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Greenwald

FantasyRomanceScience FictionSong and danceDazzling vocal performances and musicals

A whimsical fantasy musical set in a world where dreams become reality, a beautiful muse encourages an artist and his older friend to transform a rundown auditorium into an opulent rollerskating club, blending art, romance, and glittering spectacle.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Xanadu (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Xanadu (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1970s to early 1980s

The story unfolds in a contemporary late-70s/early-80s Los Angeles setting, blending pop-art culture with a mythic premise. The tone and visuals echo the era's music and cinema aesthetics as Sonny and Danny pursue their dream. A memory of the 1940s romance mentioned in the film provides a longer timeline and the enduring pull of inspiration.

Location

Los Angeles, Abandoned Art Deco-style auditorium, Mount Helicon

Los Angeles serves as the contemporary backdrop where Sonny pursues his art and the main action unfolds. The key location is an abandoned Art Deco-style auditorium that becomes Xanadu, a dreamlike nightclub for creativity. Mount Helicon, the mythical home of the Muses, appears as a realm that intersects with the mortal world, guiding the characters toward inspiration.

🏙️ Urban LA 🏛️ Art Deco setting 🗺️ Mythic realm

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:41

Main Characters – Xanadu (1980)

Meet the key characters of Xanadu (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sonny Malone (Michael Beck)

An aspiring illustrator in Los Angeles who has lost his artistic spark. He reconnects with Danny and meets Kira, whose mystery rekindles his passion and fuels his dream to open Xanadu. He is romantic, hopeful, and open to magical intervention that helps him pursue his art.

🎯 Protagonist 🎨 Artist ❤️ Romantic

Danny McGuire (Gene Kelly)

A former big-band clarinet player and later construction mogul who has lost his creative spark. He befriends Sonny and helps realize Xanadu, drawing on his past experiences with a muse. He embodies resilience and mentorship to Sonny.

🎷 Former musician 🛠️ Dream-builder

Kira (Olivia Newton-John)

A mysterious woman who appears from Sonny's mural and is revealed to be Terpsichore, a Muse. She inspires Sonny and Danny but is bound by divine rules that prevent mortal love. Her presence catalyzes Xanadu's creation and the emotional stakes at play.

✨ Muse ❤️ Forbidden love

Muse 1 (Sandahl Bergman)

One of the Nine Muses who animates the mural when touched by Sonny's sketches. Her presence embodies artistic grace and hints at the mythic dimension of the story.

🗝️ Enigmatic 🎀 Artistic

Muse 2 (Lynn Latham)

Another Muse whose presence supports the artistic fertility of Xanadu and enhances the dance and performance elements of the film.

🗝️ Enigmatic 💃 Dance-inspired

Muse 3 (Melinda Phelps)

A third Muse who contributes to the evolving mood of inspiration and guides the team toward a cohesive artistic vision.

🗝️ Enigmatic 🎨 Creative

Muse 4 (Cherise Bates)

A Muse who adds to the tapestry of performance and grace, helping to weave Xanadu's dreamlike atmosphere.

🗝️ Enigmatic 🩰 Dance-inspired

Muse 5 (Juliette Marshall)

A Muse whose presence reinforces the musical and lyrical dimension of Xanadu's world.

🗝️ Enigmatic 🎶 Music-inspired

Muse 6 (Marilyn Tokuda)

A Muse contributing to the broad mythic ensemble that underpins the film's creative energy.

🗝️ Enigmatic 🧭 Guiding

Muse 7 (Yvette Van Voorhees)

A Muse whose poise and presence add depth to the dance and performance aspects of Xanadu.

🗝️ Enigmatic 💃 Poise

Muse 8 (Teri Beckerman)

A Muse who contributes to the theatrical and graceful aura surrounding the creation of Xanadu.

🗝️ Enigmatic 🎭 Theatrical

The Tubes (Bill Spooner, Michael Cotten)

Cameo rock musicians featured at Xanadu's opening, adding contemporary energy to the mythic celebration.

🎸 Cameo musicians 🕺 Live performance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:41

Major Themes – Xanadu (1980)

Explore the central themes of Xanadu (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

✨ Dreams & Inspiration

Dreams drive the actions of the main characters as they translate sketches into a physical venue. The living mural acts as a catalyst that blurs the line between art and reality. Kira's presence shows that inspiration can come from beyond mortal bounds, yet it requires courage to pursue it. Xanadu embodies the idea that imagination can create a space where dreams become tangible.

🎶 Creativity & Music

Music and dance are the lifeblood of Xanadu, with Sonny's artistic work and Danny's past converging with the muses. The grand club opening becomes a performance that fuses myth with modern expression. The Muses' influence demonstrates that art needs both collaboration and an audience to thrive.

❤️ Love & Sacrifice

Love drives the protagonists to push beyond fear and self-doubt. Kira's mortal-romance-bound love introduces tension between divine duty and personal happiness. Danny's past and present choices reveal sacrifices that shape the path of Xanadu. Ultimately, the story suggests that love can momentarily transcend boundaries, even if only for a single moment.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:41

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Xanadu Summary

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Xanadu Summary

Xanadu Timeline

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Xanadu Timeline

More About Xanadu

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