Fame       

By Rochelle O'Gorman

This early effort by director Alan Parker is lively but jagged as it follows four students through their years in the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Rather predictably, the kids fall into four clearly defined stereotypes: brazen, gay and hypersensitive, prickly, shy. It makes up for a disjointed presentation with a lot of heart and a great soundtrack (for which it won two Academy Awards). The hopes and disappointments, failures and successes of these teens are fodder for emotional scenes and exuberant dancing in the streets. It also turned out to be the first of many imitators and spawned a popular television series. (It was the breakout film for the short-lived feature film career of Irene Cara, who sang the title song.)

Academy Awards

Fame won Academy Awards for Music Best Song (Michael Gore - Music, Dean Pitchford - Lyrics) and Music Scoring Awards (Best Original Score; Michael Gore). It was also nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen; Christopher Gore), Film Editing (Gerry Hambling), Music Best Song (Michael Gore - Music, Lesley Gore - Lyrics), and Sound (Michael J. Kohut, Aaron Rochin, Jay M. Harding, Chris Newman).

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		Your Memories Shared!

"Why "Fame" caused the most embarrassing moment of my life: Fame is one of the greatest movies of all time, first of all. It was spunoff into a TV show in the Awesome80s, sort of like the movie. In the opening credits, there was a scene with people dancing around a huge outdoor fountain dancing to the title song. A few months ago, our youth group at church went to a convention in Nashville, and we stayed at the Opryland Hotel. Must I add, this is a very high-class, five-star hotel. There were a lot of people there for the prom, too. Well, a few of us guys decided to walk around inside during the afternoon. We passed by this huge fountain about ten times. I told my best friend, Reed, that every time I saw it, I wanted to climb up on the ledge, strike a pose, yell "Fame!", and make everyone laugh. About the 11th time we passed it, he said, "Dude, if you want to, go for it..." So I did. I ran towards it in front of everyone. I don't remember what happened. Reed said as I was running, one of my legs hit the side. He said I hit the ledge and began rolling over the side. I fell in backwards! I sat up to see everyone rolling on the floor laughing hysterically! I was glad I didn't get kicked out of the hotel. It was a pure classic!" --Eric (E-free)