Original subtitles

Chris Donnell, distinguished alumnus.

Jeez, what an egomaniac!

It really isn't that tough to make it on the outside.

You really believe that, Chris?

I don't understand.

Is something wrong?

Mr.

Johnson, you don't have a credential.

When you get to the top, this ain't what you think it's gonna be.

When I said dance like a bird, Johnson, I didn't mean like a pigeon!

Look, I know Michael doesn't like me.

That's not true.

I decided I want you to be my lead dancer.

Hey,

I'm gonna live forever I'm gonna learn how to fly I'm feeling comin' together Here's what's easy at night I'm gonna

make it to heaven Might have to fly like a plane Hey, I'm gonna live forever Baby,

remember my life You got big dreams You want fame Well,

fame costs And right here is where you start fame Sweatin' I'm gonna live forever Baby,

remember my life The School of the Arts Not your ordinary high school Hello,

I'm Principal Robert Ehrenforth And it's my privilege to welcome you to our first video edition Of the school yearbook

I told you we weren't ordinary Creative experimentation Finding a new way to say ordinary Do something That's what this

yearbook at our school is all about so sit back relax and enjoy we'll turn the pages for you okay yeah you can get all

the words right this time but thanks to me I could do it again no why miss perfection well good luck with your

advantage of alumni we interview our illustrious graduates and find out their reflections on what the school is meant

to them it's a really good idea yeah thanks mr.

dear nothing I got a call from the Board of Ed they want to conduct a reevaluation of you before the school year ends I

don't understand is something wrong no but it's been two years since your first evaluation you mean they reevaluate

every teacher mr.

Johnson you don't have a credential I know, but I've been teaching all this time.

I mean, doesn't that count for anything?

Well, of course it does, and your work has been exemplary, but if you want a job next year,

I'm afraid you're gonna have to submit to the board's wishes.

It's policy.

You're right.

Chris Donald, distinguished alumnus.

Yeah, yeah, I like that.

That's cool.

You know, I've been out of school less than a year and asked me to come back and be a guest speaker.

I hear it was ten years before Al Pacino got an invitation.

Chris, what does the School of the Arts mean to you?

You know, that's where it all started.

The Donald Mystique.

Someday I figure my fans will come back.

You know, like, how people visit Elvis's birthplace?

So, Chris, what you're saying is the School of the Arts is going to be like a shrine to Chris Donald.

Not a shrine.

More like a tourist attraction.

Jeez, what an egomaniac.

Donald's gonna need a truck to carry his head around it.

Hey, come on, you guys.

It's a real honor being invited back to the school as a distinguished alumnus.

Guy's got a right to be a little cocky.

Yeah, besides that, he's gorgeous, talented, sexy, and he's got the best bod in the city.

No, he's probably got the best bod in the entire state.

All right, already enough about his body.

Get off the counter.

Who's your favorite entertainer?

This might sound a little conceited, but it's me.

You're dancing better than ever.

Thank you.

I wish you could tell I told those big-time choreographers and producers out there.

Is Michael Taffner big enough for you?

The movie star?

And distinguished alumnus of the school, who I talked into choreographing a ballet for their new 9-week show,

and guess who's dancing in the lead?

Yourself.

No.

Well, I tried to talk him into it, but he said he wanted a male lead dancer.

So I talked him into using you.

That's great.

You better dance.

It's going to be a lot of big-time choreographers and producers out there in that audience.

That is so fierce.

I love it.

Thank you.

I owe you one.

You owe me one?

Yeah.

One?

Honey, we're talking about 5, 10, 15.

Wait until you owe me.

You're going to forget about me when you get to be a big star.

You know I am.

Okay, okay, you're gonna get a pop.

Ha ha ha ha ha.

Oh.

Oh, I heard about Mr.

Dierden for them his real evaluation.

Tell me about it.

Ain't nothing like being appreciated, huh?

Leroy, I don't think you need to come back here and teach in this school next year.

Oh, so that means Ms.

Grant is gonna pay my rent.

No, I'm not gonna pay your rent.

You're gonna go out and get a job.

Ha ha, doing what?

Gazzing.

Yeah, right.

Well, come on, Leroy.

It's time you got out of here and took a chance.

You should be concentrating all of your energies on your own career right now.

Look...

I like my teaching to fall back on.

I don't know if I'm ready to get out there and just strike it on my own.

I'm gonna strike you on my own if you don't get on out of here.

I'm gonna strike you on my own.

Look at all the celebrities.

Yeah, I don't see anybody really famous.

Hey, wait a minute, are those the Hershkowitz twins, the famous painters?

Bob and Rob.

They don't look like twins.

They ain't even got the same fill they can.

I think one of them's a doppin'.

Mr.

Dyrn, this is Michael Taffner.

This is Bob Dyrn for our principal.

Hello, Mr.

Taffner.

What a thrill it is to actually meet you.

I was a big fan of yours.

Was?

And just exactly when did you stop?

Mickey, you remember me?

Mrs.

Burke, how could I forget you?

I secretly lost it after you for years.

Mickey, you little devil.

Look, I'm gonna go and see if I can finally work Johnson.

Okay?

Do you know Mr.

Taffner?

We have practically every film you made in our school video library.

Why?

Well, I mean, you didn't actually pay real money for it, did you?

I just love nothing personal.

And Brothers 4.

The scene where you jump over the axe handle.

What's your favorite film, Mickey?

Citizen Kane.

Oh, I mean money.

Oh, I hated them all I just Hey Chris Listen,

I understand you're gonna be the guest speaker for my beginning acting class.

I'm looking forward to I can't believe all these famous people That's pretty impressive You must feel honored To be

included of course Look I'm gonna check you later All right, let's go.

There you are.

I've been looking all over for you.

I don't, uh, I don't like crowds.

Well, I thought you should meet Leroy Johnson, since you two are gonna be working together.

How long was it tapping?

Look, I've heard so much about you.

Uh, do you like hot dogs?

I love hot dogs.

I tell you, there's two things that I really miss about New York.

In the school of the arts, of course.

And these hot dogs.

You sure you don't want another one?

Positive.

I'm so full.

You really miss the school, huh?

Oh, hell yes.

It was the most creative time of my life.

I mean, back then, I was totally free.

No fear.

No big image to live up to.

Well, don't you think we should probably be getting back to the party?

Girl, I hate parties.

If only one more person tells me how much they love the brothers' poor.

I think instead of this hot dog, I'm gonna bite their nose off.

Whoa, I'm glad you told me first.

No, no, you're due.

What are you kidding?

The bond raising number is my all-time favorite.

You know what part I like especially?

No, I know.

When I jump over the axe, all right?

It's crazy, you know?

I mean, 30 movies, four Broadway shows, and all people can remember is a damn jumping over the axe handle trick.

Boy, you'd think I could've left something just a little more important for people to remember than that, huh?

What's happening?

You had an incredible career.

What are you talking about?

When you get to the top, it just ain't what you think it's gonna be.

Well, being at the bottom ain't no party either.

Well, you know, when you have a dream, you're willing to take a chance.

Dreams, huh?

Well, I guess you're just gonna have to find out for yourself.

Find out what?

Dreams for sleeping.

Are you ever gonna graduate?

I can't believe you made it.

How are you, Mattali?

Great.

Let's see if you can do this.

Are you kidding?

Not at all.

Mr.

Mattali!

Well, something's never gonna happen.

Yeah, but we've got stuff here.

Come on!

Come on!

So what's all the excitement?

Ollie!

Papa!

Sorry!

The public displays of the function are so talented.

Oh, you were so good.

I would never make a fool of myself like that.

No, neither would I.

You know, when I first started school, I had this...

burning desire to be a star.

I figured I already knew it all, so I was just going to breeze through my classes until I was discovered.

Surprise!

By the second day, I realized I didn't know anything.

I mean, I had to work my act.

OK, we're taping, right?

All right.

I had to work real hard just to keep up with the other kids.

I mean, you either did it or you were gone, right?

But this school taught me something important.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

I mean, a truly valuable success, it doesn't happen overnight.

It's based on a foundation of technique and hard work.

You know, becoming a star isn't really important to me anymore.

Becoming a great artist, that's what counts.

Five, six, seven, eight!

Turn two, three, four, five, six, seven, down!

What are you stopping for?

The music's still going.

Go on, Johnson.

Get higher, higher.

Once I dance like a bird, Johnson, I didn't mean like a pigeon.

All right, back.

That's it.

Now get ready.

Barrel rolls.

Keep going, keep going.

Come on, in you come.

Arms out, arms out.

What are you doing with your fingers?

All right, hand out.

All right, spin.

And hold!

That's enough!

Look, can I at least try this again?

No, that's all for today.

It's happening at rehearsal, same time tomorrow?

Yes, same time.

I promise to try to work on the steps, okay?

Yeah, sure.

Damn it!

I can't get this right, Miss Grant.

Well, Rich and the cop would have trouble with that variation, honey.

He just expects a lot.

I got to get this perfect.

Yeah, but don't you overwork it.

I know you lead Roy Johnson.

You're no good when you work too hard.

Miss Grant, you've seen how mad he was.

Yeah, but don't let his attitude throw you.

Michael's always like that.

Besides, you have to learn how to work with all kinds of people.

This just means a lot to me.

I don't want to blow this chance.

You're not gonna blow anything.

You just do this.

the work and you'll be fine you hear me yeah we have a special guest with us here today up until last year he was a

student here at the school of the arts and well since leaving the school I'm sure he's experienced a lot of frustration

and getting the job and agents and open calls and well probably a lot of rejection and here to share with you what it's

really like on the outside is distinguished alumnus Chris Donlon what mr.

Seager said about struggling to get jobs it may be true for most people but not for me yeah I got my first big

commercial right after I graduated so I really don't know how it feels to be rejected at additions and as far as agents

I always got five or six hounding me to sign you know so it really isn't that tough to make it on the outside If you're

prepared and you've got the talent, it's a piece of cake.

Uh-huh.

Yeah, you really believe that, Chris?

Come on, it happened to me, didn't it?

Well, it's not quite so easy for the vast majority of the actors.

Uh, okay.

Uh, any questions for Mr.

Donnell?

Yeah.

If it's so easy for you, why are you working at Loos?

You know, he's a friend of mine, you know, so I'm just helping him out a little bit, you know?

Growing up, I was short, and as you can see, I'm still short four years later.

I'm coming to McNeil forever short.

A little leprechaun-y is.

So, um, what has the School of the Arts meant to you?

I guess you could say it was my brown tuxedo.

Brown tuxedo.

Could you explain that a little bit?

Growing up, I always felt like the world was a black tuxedo, and I was a pair of brown loafers.

I just didn't seem to fit in anywhere.

Then I started classes at School of the Arts, and I instantly felt comfortable here.

I was still my weird little self, but that seemed to be okay with everybody.

And I also found out that I had this special talent.

I was a good actor.

All of a sudden, I was somebody.

No, no, Michael, look, I think you're wrong.

I think you're just overreacting to one bad rehearsal.

Uh, you want to make that two bad rehearsals?

Just give Leroy a chance to relax, and he'll be fine.

Look, Lydia, I just don't have time to babysit my lead dancer.

I want this to be a great number.

It will be, and I know Leroy can do it.

Look, Lydia, you're wrong.

I mean, I'm sorry, but, uh, he just doesn't have it, and I'm gonna replace him.

Michael, Michael, please.

Are you waiting for me?

Yeah.

Guess what?

What?

I decided I want you to be my lead dancer.

Michael, I'm not an alumnus.

And besides, I'd never do that to Leroy.

Well, why not?

I mean, we'd probably be doing him a favor.

I can't believe you're such a bastard.

Now, look, now, Lydia, I don't know if you...

You don't have the right to come in here, crush other people's dreams.

I ought to hold him.

Now, damn it, I just wish that somebody had told me the truth when I was Leroy's age.

I mean, I wouldn't have wasted my whole life chasing after something that didn't exist.

What are you talking about?

How can you say that?

You've done brilliant work in the movies, on television, on Broadway.

I've done commercial crap!

Look, Lydia, try to understand.

I had an opportunity to make a really important contribution for the theater, to art.

I mean, it's...

I became a movie star.

The last time I did some work I could be proud of was right here at the school.

What about all those movies you did with these kids?

These kids saw you, and you inspired them to become dancers.

Oh, I inspired my agent and my accountant.

Wrong.

Houston, Texas, 1962.

I sat in the Alex Theater and watched you in nothing personal, three times in a row at a matinee,

till my eyes were popping out of my head.

That was the day I knew I had to become a dancer.

It's a lovely story, but...

Oh, Michael, you were good.

Michael, you were great.

Why can't you accept that?

Look, Lydia, I need a lead dancer.

You've got one.

Look, all I'm asking is for you to give Leroy one more chance.

Just one more chance.

All right.

All right, one more rehearsal.

Leroy, are you in here?

Yeah, I'm over here.

Oh.

Mind if I join you?

No problem.

Move my mirror.

Look, I noticed the other night in rehearsal that you were still having a little bit of trouble with that variation.

You know, tonight, after my classes, I could help you.

Look, Miss Grant, I'm dropping out of the number.

Why?

Look, I know Michael doesn't like me.

That's not true.

Come on, Miss Grant, I'm not stupid.

Okay, he was getting ready to replace you, but I just spoke with him.

He's gonna give you another chance.

What if I still can't cut it?

Leroy, I can work with you tonight after my classes.

Are you interested?

Yes or no?

Yay or nay?

Yay.

See you later.

Give me a second.

Eat too much.

Thanks, Ms.

Graf.

You know, when I first came here, I didn't know anything about relating to other people.

My life was music.

But, uh, everyone at this crazy school, you know, the teachers and the other students,

demanded that I stop hiding behind my synthesizers and start dealing with them on a one-to-one basis.

Well, this was fairly difficult at first.

But, uh, once I started to open up, um, I went nuts.

You know, for the first time in my life, I had friends.

Um, the most amazing thing out of all this is that the more I came out of my shell, the more I grew as a musician.

OK.

Mr.

Sigert, can I get you something?

No, no, I just, uh, fuck it, Chris.

If it's about my speech, I'm sorry, all right?

Kids were disappointed, Chris.

They really wanted to know what it was like on the outside.

I told them what it was like, for me.

You lied.

No, no, I exaggerated a little.

Why tell those kids all the bad things, huh?

Because it'll prepare them for what's really out there.

Mr.

Sigert, what do you want from me?

I want you to come speak to him again.

I don't have the time.

OK, well, look, I'm flexible.

We'll make fun of you.

Oh, I don't want to do it, OK?

You want a refill?

No, thanks.

Don, you ought to talk to those kids.

Sure, Lou.

Right after Michael Taffner and Al Pacino told them about Hollywood and all the movies they've been in,

I'm going to tell them I'm working on a bowling alley?

Heh, right.

What's wrong with that?

It's embarrassing.

Look, Lou, I'm sorry.

No, you're right.

And I don't want you to be embarrassed because you work here.

Donlyn, you're fired.

What?

Now you got nothing to be ashamed of.

So go talk to those kids.

So it's been a year since you left.

What do you think the school has meant to you in life?

Oh, I have great memories of this place.

The people.

The dressing rooms.

But actually, the first week here was an absolute...

I mean, I really didn't think I would make it.

The criticism was just too much for me to handle,

and I think I probably would have left school if my friends hadn't convinced me not to.

But after that, I just started working on I'm not taking things so seriously, you know?

I just used to torture myself over every little thing.

It had to be perfect.

And I think what this school taught me was that...

just to enjoy your work, you know?

And I think that's important, because if I'm enjoying myself, the audience will too.

Now, when you go to hit those double turns, you got to be fast, fast, short, double, double, excellent, and down,

clean, clean.

That's what he wants.

Here we go.

And double, double, excellent, down.

And when you hit that down posture, pull up, pull up.

Watch it.

Five, six, seven, and double, double.

No, no, no, slow.

Stop slow.

Slow, a little slow.

Try it again.

Just pull up, concentrate.

Spot.

Five, six, seven, and double, double.

No, no, don't look in the mirror this time.

space over here.

Pull up, pull up, pull up, pencil through your head.

Here we go.

Five, six, seven, and double, double.

Leroy.

Leroy.

In learning about choreography there's a lot more you need to know than how to make up steps and dance to the beat of

the music.

You need to understand how to design lighting, how to use the set and costumes, and how to use props.

Props.

These wonderful little pieces of things that can add business and determine how you're gonna move about the stage.

Things that were used from the minstrel days to the Charlie Chaplin days to the Fred Stan days.

Props.

Now I'm going to show you a piece of choreography that was done on film maybe 25 years ago that was definitely

influenced by the set and by the props.

He's dancing on a piece of wood.

And look at him balance.

Watch this.

Now let's really go for the gold.

All right.

Now today we are privileged to have the man who made this move so famous.

Ladies and gentlemen, excuse me.

Michael, would you wait a minute?

Hey thanks a lot.

I mean what a cheap shot.

What are you trying to prove anyway?

You really think that old piece of film is gonna make me feel better about my work?

You know you...

Oh forget it.

Whoa, whoa, no wait.

Go ahead.

Go ahead.

Tell me what you think about me really.

I feel sorry for you.

I don't want your pity.

I didn't play that film to make you feel good about yourself.

That film has been part of my curriculum for the past five years.

Like it or not, Michael Taffner, you are part of the curriculum of the school.

It's just too damn bad that you don't have enough sense to appreciate your own contribution.

Well, Schwartz, I don't have to ask what you've been doing since you left the school.

I'm a Tullo, just so there's no misunderstanding.

I am married, and this is my nine-week-old daughter, Jenny.

And who's the lucky guy?

His name is Bob Rhythm.

Forget it.

I've heard all the jokes.

He's the artistic director of the Kenley Players of Akron, Ohio.

We met during summer stuff.

Then we fell in love and...

And the rest is history.

Okay, now here's the big question.

What has the School of the Arts meant to you?

And Jenny, you can have to let your mom speak for herself.

Well, this is the place where I discovered the real Dora Schwartz.

You know, I was always acting as a kid.

Always playing roles, trying to be what everybody wanted me to be.

Then I came here, and everybody had so much confidence and personality, and...

I realized I didn't know who I was.

Then after about four years, and the help of the people here, and the love, I started to get acquainted with myself.

And you know something?

I really like who I am.

If I hadn't come here, I probably would have never known that.

And when I got out to Hollywood, I wasn't used to it.

I didn't have my technique done.

I got to...

Uh-oh.

We have a surprise guest.

Mr.

Donilon has returned.

Thank you.

All right.

I have something out, sir.

Mr.

Donilon has returned.

Do you want to do this?

Yeah.

First of all, I want to apologize for the other day.

Because most of what I told you was a lie.

I'm not a big shot.

I'm just another struggling actor like a thousand other guys in his town.

The truth is, it's damn tough on the outside.

No matter how much talent you got, you're gonna be rejected.

over and over again but you can't give up if you really love performing you got to keep trying always give it your best

shot and you can't be afraid to fail besides all that rejection is part of being an actor not a lot of fun but a oh

there you are mr.

Johnson come on the board's waiting uh wait right here one second I gotta take care of one thing Here he is now.

Sorry, I'm late.

It's all right, Mr.

Johnson.

Can we just get on with it?

Yeah, it's all right.

All right, jazzers, let's hit it.

All right, jazzers, let's hit it.

All right, jazzers, let's hit it.

All right, jazzers, let's hit it.

All right, jazzers, let's hit it.

Jazzers, let's hit it.

Jazzers, let's hit it.

I'm glad you all like that work.

I've decided that I'm not coming back to the school next year.

I just want to devote all my time towards my career as a performer.

However, I do thank everyone here for their support.

Honestly, everyone.

I have the greatest amount of respect for anyone who could stand up in front of a class and teach.

Because that's been the most difficult thing for me.

And, um, I'm going to miss working with all the kids here, everyone.

I feel after six years that I just have my wings, and I should fly away from this mess.

Um, however, I thank you, Miss Grant, who's been my friend and my teacher.

You showed me the right way, and you always will.

I hope you guys never forget me, because I'll never forget you all.

And, uh, I'll always love this school.

Well, I was beginning to think you were going to make it.

Well, I'm a little late, but I'm here.

Well, let's see what you got, kid.

From the top.

You got it.

Baby,

hold me tight You can make me lie You can take me straight to the top Give me love and take all I've got to do And then

I'll be tough Too much is not enough I can turn your heart to the rain I've got to fight it Hey,

I'm gonna be here forever Hey, I'm gonna be here forever Hey,

I'm gonna be here together Give up the baby and I'll be there I'm gonna raise you to heaven Light up the sky like a

crazy man I'm gonna be here forever Hey,

I'm gonna be here forever Hey, remember, remember, remember Raise your hand high,

raise your hand high Raise your hand high,

raise your hand high I'm gonna be here forever I'm gonna work with you I'm living all this together I'm going to make

it forever, light up the sky, not the day, but I'm going to live forever.

I'm going to make it forever, light up the sky, not the day, but I'm going to live forever.

Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up,

bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up,

bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up,

bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up,

bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up,

bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up, bring him up, bring him up Bring him up,

bring him up,

bring him up I'm going to live forever I'm going to learn how to fly I'm feeling coming together Here's what's in me at

night I'm going to make it to heaven Light up the sky like the moon I'm going to live forever Baby,

remember my love I'm going to live forever Baby, remember my love I'm going to live forever Baby, remember my love