Xanadu (film) actual order in the film: The plot of the 1947 film "Down to Earth" was used as the basis for "Xanadu". In the film, Rita Hayworth played Terpsichore, opposite male lead Larry Parks, who played a producer of stage plays. The film was originally conceived as a relatively low-budget roller disco picture. As a number of prominent, A-list performers joined the production, it evolved into a much larger project, while retaining rollerskating as a recurring theme, especially in the final scenes of the club's opening night. Earlier versions of the story established that Sonny was the artist who created the
Xanadu: The Marco Polo Musical career as second lead to Julie Andrews in "The Boy Friend" and later became an important film and television director, three times nominated for Emmy awards. Virginia Boyle, who played the female lead in "Xanadu", established a career as a country and western singer and songwriter. Johnny Gilbert became the host or announcer of numerous popular television game shows, and his voice is still heard every night saying, "This ... is ... "Jeopardy!"" In the accompanying cast picture, Johnny is wearing a diamond-pattern costume and is standing next to composer William Perry. PROLOGUE: The Mandarin and the Chorus SCENE ONE: