Went with a longtime friend to see Fame outdoors in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. A film I’d seen several times as a kid, especially summers in Boise where my brother and I spent two months each year as part of a child custody agreement and where neither of us knew any peers. No friends but my brother meant a lot of watching Fame, My Favorite Year, The Making of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, and Purple Rain on VHS (especially Purple Rain, stopped counting after 50+ views).
Watched the Thriller VHS so often that I learned the choreography for that music video, and “Bille Jean” and “Beat It” (also included in the VHS). At 14, I got second place in a MJ dance-alike contest (losing to an adorable toddler – several strangers said I should have competed in the 15+ age category). The Summer of 1985 I danced to “Thriller” on the center of Autzen Stadium’s football field during the July 4 fireworks show in Eugene. It came together spontaneously. My Mom got calls from friends the day after and she had no idea it had happened. Stories for a later time.
The crowd dug this super-New York-y movie on this comfortably warm not-too-humid night. Sing Harlem was the opening act. Hadn’t seen this movie in decades. Still charming.
Averted my eyes during that scene with Coco. If you know the scene, you know. Talking at the screen fails to change Coco’s situation. I’ve tried.
Most of the cast ended up having long careers. Gene Anthony Ray, fiery and sly and compelling as Leroy Johnson would continue the role into the Fame television show. During the film, his mother got caught trying to sell illegal drugs on the set. Her behavior continued into the production of the television show and she got arrested running a drug ring. Gene Anthony himself struggled with addiction, was often absent, and ended up dying in 2003 at age 41. Still managed to have a varied career. The Wikipedia page linked above is worth reading.
Gene Anthony attended the school Fame is based on. In this introductory scene, he helps a friend with her dancing audition, while he himself is not interested. Then he gets interested and steals the moment. (Clip is dubbed in French, quel dommage. But Debbie Allen’s asst. dance teacher describes his style as “wicked”.)
As you can see, it’s one of those entertainments where none of the high school students seem to be under 25 years old.
Directed by Alan Parker, whose career includes similarly shot films like Midnight Express, Pink Floyd: The Wall, Birdy, Angel Heart, Mississippi Burning, on and on, his style really conveys the vitality and dark of late 70s New York City. Watching it in Brooklyn conveyed nostalgia for that era. Not that anyone wants that back, necessarily, but it’s a palpable and compelling vibe.
I didn’t watch much of the television show. I liked Debbie Allen, had crushes on Janet Jackson (Willis’ girlfriend from “Different Strokes”!) and Cynthia Gibb. But, just couldn’t get there. If you watched the show I’d like to hear about it.
Prospect Park was a great, low-key location. Lightning bugs flitted on and off in the woods just a few steps away. And it was a delight to see that “Hot Lunch Jam” still slaps.
Tip: The Good Batch’s Chocolate Chunk ice cream sandwich served in Prospect Park is better than the Confetti Cake (sprinkles) one.
