Dance on Film: The 1980’s
“The best entertainment speaks to the human condition in an honest way.”
Fame (1980) | Street Dance- Everyone
A super fun, lively, and upbeat dance scene, as hundreds of dancers flood onto the streets of NYC, dancing on-top of and in-between all the cars. Choreographed by Louis Falco.
Flashdance (1983)
He’s a Dream- Marine Jahan
Stylistically filmed in silhouette, this rather sexy solo dance with nothing but a chair is pure 80’s glam. The silhouette style helped the cinematographers hide the fact that it wasn’t Jennifer Beals dancing, but her dance double Marine Jahan. Choreographed by Jeffrey Hornaday
What a Feelin’- Marine Jahan/ Sharon Shapiro
An impressive final audition dance, complete with pirouettes, split leaps, and the famous acrobatic flip, which was actually performed by gymnast Sharon Shapiro. Choreographed by Jeffrey Hornaday
Risky Business (1983) | Old Time Rock and Roll- Tom Cruise
A rather comical scene improvised by Tom Cruise as his character romps around his house lip-syncing to Bob Seger. This scene actually served as inspiration for a rather similar scene in the 2003 film Love Actually.
Footloose (1984)
Warehouse Scene- Kevin Bacon
Bold and energetic, Ren expresses his anger through the medium of dance in the setting of a dark and ‘manly’ warehouse. Choreographed by Jamal Sims.
Footloose- Everyone
Incredibly fun and perhaps a little bit cheesy, everyone comes together to dance at their high school disco and lets loose. Choreographed by Jamal Sims.
White Nights (1985) | Prove Me Wrong- Mikhail Baryshnikov & Gregory Hines
When two dance superstars come together, nothing can go wrong. This scene is just so cool and a must watch for any dance lovers. Choreographed by Twyla Tharp.
The Breakfast Club (1985) | Detention Dance- Everyone
High-spirited and free, all the kids in detention bop out to some music having spent some time bonding before. Originally the scene was only meant to feature Molly Ringwald’s character, however, on the day she was feeling self-conscious and so it was re-choreographed to include the rest of the cast. Choreographer unknown.
A Chorus Line (1985) | I Hope I Get It- Everyone
A dance scene showcasing the reality of what it is like auditioning to be in a production. The energy is tense and competitive as everyone is trying to get noticed. Choreographed by Jeffrey Hornaday.
Pretty In Pink (1986) | Try a Little Tenderness- Jon Cryer
A rather intense and passionate dance-come-lip-sync in order to impress two young women. Choreographed by Kenny Ortega.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Hungry Eyes- Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze & Cynthia Rhodes
A seemingly sensual scene in which we see ‘Baby’ learning how to dance, firstly while slotted in-between Patrick Swayze and Cynthia Rhodes, and then in her own right as Swayze’s partner. Choreographed by Kenny Ortega.
The Time Of My Life- Jennifer Grey & Patrick Swayze
Probably the most iconic dance scene of the 80’s, as Baby her her moment on the dancefloor, featuring the oh-so-famous lift. Choreographed by Kenny Ortega.
Do The Right Thing (1989) | Fight The Power- Rosie Perez
This dance scene rather unusually appears in the opening credits of the film. It is quirky, daring, and certainly powerful. Choreographed by Rosie Perez.
Bonus:
Big (1986) | The Floor Piano- Tom Hanks & Robert Loggia
A charming scene where father and son play a duet on the floor piano, turning it into kind of a dance. Choreographer unknown.
