Great Movie Scenes: “Fame” Sings the Body Electric

Spawning multiple television spin-offs, a reality show, a musical, and a misguided 2009 remake, Fame remains a phenomenon that will live forever. It all started with director Alan Parker‘s 1980 drama, a grittier-than-you-remember effort peppered with unforgettable musical numbers that chronicles four years in the life of students at New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts. As each of the characters attempts to begin their journey towards what they hope will be a bright future, they discover that the road to stardom is often paved with heartbreak and tragedy. Despite the hardships many of the characters go through, the film ends on a triumphant note — a graduation ceremony song-and-dance number in which the school’s various creative disciplines are all given a time to shine.

Here then is “I Sing the Body Electric”

With graduation season upon us, I urge you to watch the above footage and how it sparks with a feeling of unlimited potential. And if it’s been awhile since you’ve seen the original Fame, give it another look. It is at once a time capsule of a now-gone New York and feels incredibly of this moment…and as the above footage shows, its soundtrack is still fantastic.

This article originally ran last year and is being reprinted today as we celebrate the class of 2020!