MovieChat Forums > Saturday Night Fever (1977) Discussion > Annette was a better dancer than Stephan...

Annette was a better dancer than Stephanie

posted 2 years ago by Whom (528)
8 replies | jump to latest

I like the character Stephanie. She was a tough and helped Tony see a life beyond the disco and paint store.

But she was nothing special as a dancer. I blame the producers. Obviously they spent their entire dance training budget on Travolta, when it was necessary to have the character Stephanie be a good dancer too.

Annette was a decent dancer in the first disco scene. Maybe they should have switched the casting of Annette and Stephanie.

[–] jcnyclv (1557) 2 years ago

I totally agree, Annette was a better dance. I don't know anyone who actually thought Stephanie was appropriate for the role she played.

[–] Whom (528) 2 years ago

I thought her acting was good for the character. She played a NYC borough gal with the right attitude and accent.

[–] jcnyclv (1557) 2 years ago

I'm born and raised in Brooklyn and was a teen when this film came out and I thought her "accent" was horrible. And, as I said, I don't know anyone else who liked her in that role either.

I think if one isn't a native New Yorker, one hears the accent differently 🙂

[–] Whom (528) 2 years ago

I liked the character and thought she got the main traits down. Do you think Donna Pescow (Annette actress) could have been a better Stephanie? I think that could have been a better choice of casting.

[–] jcnyclv (1557) 2 years ago

Pescow definitely would have been a better choice, although they might have thought was too young for the role. I think they wanted someone a little older, who seemed a little worldly and, very unfortunately, they chose Karen Lynn Gorney. Although they might have been able to make Pescow look older. They at least should have tried.

[–] strntz (12255) 2 years ago

Stephanie was a terrible dancer, but she was better than Annette. I can't believe we watched the same film.

[–] Whom (528) 2 years ago

When you have a chance, check out the time she and Tony dance at the disco. She has better posture, timing, and precision. She may not have a slim dancer’s figure but she has the moves down. Whereas Stephanie looks slumpy and stiff on the dance floor.

[–] jcnyclv (1557) 2 years ago

Annette was a much better dancer, had much more rhythm than Stephanie. She was also very believable in her role, where Stephanie wasn't.