Kids are still asked today if they really dance and sing in the cafeteria; I wonder if they even understand the reference and why people constantly ask them. It would be nice if students of LaGuardia and Frank Sinatra HS have seen the 1980 film about four years in the life in a performing arts high school, because, surprisingly, the characters’ stories are still relevant:
“Doris” – the sweet naïve mommy’s girl from the outer boroughs struggling to define herself;
“Ralph” – class clown from the Bronx still devastated by the untimely death of his favorite tv idol;
“Leroy” – pure raw talent, accepted to the school by chance and not prepared academically;
“Hilary” – no matter how hard she tries, the teachers say she is not good enough;
“Montgomery” – the neglected rich kid practically raising himself and struggling with being gay;
“Lisa” – so privileged, so beautiful, but she needs to prove that she can join a ballet company without having her stepmother send in a
“Bruno” – talented songwriter who wants to do it all himself (okay, you can laugh at his “keyboard”);
”Coco” – has her professional career all planned: she sings, she dances, she knows how to play “the game” — or at least thinks she does…
I watched the original Fame recently, waiting for cringe–worthy moments. Other than Bruno’s “keyboard”, I was pleased that the clothes and hair were so nondescript. Teenagers of 2009 will have no distractions and will be able to focus, sympathize and dream about attending such a school.
The 1980 VERSION IS RATED “R”, HOWEVER. There is female matter–of–fact upper frontal nudity and bad language. So, if parents are not allowing their children to see breasts in film… it’s okay for females 13 years and older.
Oh, I kind of forgot: Leroy (Gene Anthony Ray) dances very, verrry seductively in his audition, but that is in one of the most delicious scenes in recent film history — because of the setup, the fantastic music and the reaction of the peripheral characters. It goes with his character. If we’ve all seen Michael Jackson do worse, then this will not corrupt our teens.
Tremendous props to the late Gene Anthony Ray, who just absolutely STEALS this movie and went on to star in the television series. He is an example of talent only taking one so–far before real life gets in the way.
See:
Anne Meara (Night at the Museum Ben Stiller’s mom) as the English teacher;
Debbie Allen (Cosby Phylicia Rashad’s sister), a fierce Broadway dancer/actress, almost steal the movie from Gene Anthony Ray. She also starred in the series and is in the 2009 movie;
Richard Belzer (Law and Order SVU) in his first occupation as standup comedian;
Isaac Mizrahi, the fashion mogul, in the audition scenes wearing the jester’s hat (he really attended the High School of the Performing Arts).
This film had a lot going for it: one of the best collections of movie songs, a talented cast, a compelling story and a great director. Director Alan Parker (Hellraiser, Midnight Express, Pink Floyd’s The Wall, The Commitments, Angel Heart, Mississippi Burning, Evita) treated the story about teenagers seriously. The kids were not portrayed as candy–coated teeny–bopper caricatures. Parker also incorporated musical numbers in a real life way — that’s an important feature to consider for those who claim to hate “old–fashioned musicals”.
Note that High School Musical would be considered old–fashioned. Admittedly the 1980 Fame has no one as cute as Corbin or Zac, but some of the girls are as good–looking as Vanessa Hudgens, albeit in a more real life way. Save the Last Dance, Take the Lead and the Step Up movies have been heavily influenced by Fame. No air–brushing.
What about the remake? Not sure if it’s a remake or an update riff. I will go see it. Check out the trailer for the 1980 version below.
See the first Fame. Comment on what you think.
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