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Albert Hague played music teacher Benjamin Shorofsky in the movie and television series "Fame". Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/635148353688750926/ (May be subject to copyright) |
It is Albert Hague’s birthday today and, although he died in 2001, when I saw his name today, it conjured up memories of Benjamin Shorofsky and particularly his relationship with his student Bruno Martelli. However, I also discovered he was a composer of some renown, and was surprised at some of the well-known, and cool, music he composed.
Biography
Albert Hague was born to a Jewish family in Germany in 1920, but they raised him a Lutheran fearing his Jewish heritage would be a problem. Wikipedia reveals shortly before he was to be taken into the Hitler Youth, he and his mother fled to Rome. He came to America in 1939, after his sister got him a musical scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. He did not have legal immigration status to be in the United States, so he was adopted by an eye surgeon associated with the university. After graduating in 1942, he served in the United States Army’s special service band during the Second World War.
Albert Hague was born to a Jewish family in Germany in 1920, but they raised him a Lutheran fearing his Jewish heritage would be a problem. Wikipedia reveals shortly before he was to be taken into the Hitler Youth, he and his mother fled to Rome. He came to America in 1939, after his sister got him a musical scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. He did not have legal immigration status to be in the United States, so he was adopted by an eye surgeon associated with the university. After graduating in 1942, he served in the United States Army’s special service band during the Second World War.
He would go on to score Broadway musicals, film, television, and do some acting as well.
Brush with “Fame”
“Fame” followed the lives of students and teachers at New York City’s High School of Performing Arts. Albert Hague originated the role of Benjamin Shorofsky when “Fame” came out in theatres in 1980. I watched it a few years ago and, quite frankly, Mr. Shorofsky did not leave an impression at all.
“Fame” followed the lives of students and teachers at New York City’s High School of Performing Arts. Albert Hague originated the role of Benjamin Shorofsky when “Fame” came out in theatres in 1980. I watched it a few years ago and, quite frankly, Mr. Shorofsky did not leave an impression at all.
That would change when “Fame” became a television series in 1982. That's when Albert Hague really developed the character of Mr. Shorofsky.
There are two episodes from that first season that really stand out in my mind. I can recall them as if I saw them last week.
“Sh…Sh…Sh…Shorofsky…”
The 13th episode of the season, entitled “A Musical Bridge”, came out on April 1, 1982. Bruno Martelli was a student who was a keyboardist and composer who studied under Mr. Shorofsky. It seemed to me as if Bruno was Shorofsky’s favourite student, because the teacher always pushed and challenged the student.
The 13th episode of the season, entitled “A Musical Bridge”, came out on April 1, 1982. Bruno Martelli was a student who was a keyboardist and composer who studied under Mr. Shorofsky. It seemed to me as if Bruno was Shorofsky’s favourite student, because the teacher always pushed and challenged the student.
In this episode, Montgomery, another student, loves this new song on the radio. However, Bruno says it is just noise and anyone could come up with something like that. To prove it, he sets up behind his keyboard and asks Montgomery to give him a topic. Mr. Shorofsky then enters the room, unbeknownst to Bruno.
“Mr. Shorofsky,” Maontgomery says, trying to warn Bruno.
Instead, Bruno takes that as the topic of this song, and starts to compose this song.
“Sh…Sh…Sh…Shorofsky…”
Bruno discovers Mr. Shorofsky there soon enough. However, Montgomery recorded Bruno’s song, submitted it to a local new wave band, and they got interested in Bruno. Montgomery tells Bruno, but the rest of the students don’t like the way Montgomery used Bruno. At the same time Mr. Shorofsky helps Bruno realize he shouldn’t compromise his integrity for money.
I can still hear that line “Sh…Sh…Sh…Shorofsky…” in my head as I type this.
Frieda
Two weeks later, “Reunions”, the 15th episode of the first season, aired on April 19, 1982. Mr. Shorofsky’s old girlfriend, a Holocaust survivor named Frieda Grauer, played by Signe Hasso, pays a visit. I recall at one point Mr. Shorofsky preparing to sing her their favourite German song – “Du, du liegst mir im Herzen”, which my Mom immediately recognized. He eventually did sing it to her, but I don’t recall what happened after that.
Two weeks later, “Reunions”, the 15th episode of the first season, aired on April 19, 1982. Mr. Shorofsky’s old girlfriend, a Holocaust survivor named Frieda Grauer, played by Signe Hasso, pays a visit. I recall at one point Mr. Shorofsky preparing to sing her their favourite German song – “Du, du liegst mir im Herzen”, which my Mom immediately recognized. He eventually did sing it to her, but I don’t recall what happened after that.
Albert Hague stayed with the show for its entire six-season run from 1982 to 1987 for a total of 136 episodes.
Beyond “Fame”
Hague also had guest spots in the ‘80s in the TV shows “Nightmares”; “Mr. Belvedere”; “Amazing Stories”; “Falcon Crest”; “Tales from the Darkside”; “Faerie Tale Theatre”; “Beauty and the Beast”; “ABC Afterschool Specials”; and “Hotel”; the TV movies “Not Just Another Affair”; “Passions”; and “Murder or Memory: A Moment of Truth Movie”. In the ‘90s he was in the movies “Space Jam”; and “Playing Dangerous 2”.
Hague also had guest spots in the ‘80s in the TV shows “Nightmares”; “Mr. Belvedere”; “Amazing Stories”; “Falcon Crest”; “Tales from the Darkside”; “Faerie Tale Theatre”; “Beauty and the Beast”; “ABC Afterschool Specials”; and “Hotel”; the TV movies “Not Just Another Affair”; “Passions”; and “Murder or Memory: A Moment of Truth Movie”. In the ‘90s he was in the movies “Space Jam”; and “Playing Dangerous 2”.
“The Story of Us”, in 1999, was his last role.
“You’re a mean one…”
Something I was unaware of was how great and prolific a composer Albert Hague was. He really was qualified to be a music teacher, much less play one.
Something I was unaware of was how great and prolific a composer Albert Hague was. He really was qualified to be a music teacher, much less play one.
He was the composer for the 1966 TV cartoon “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”, which I recently learned. I think that is really impressive.
Hague also composed songs such as “Young and Foolish”, which was performed by artists such as Paul Anka; Bing Crosby; Lesley Gore; Dean Martin; Johnny Mathis; Oscar Peterson; and many others.
Albert Hague died in November of 2001 from cancer.
He was 81.
Parting thoughts
Albert Hague brought a German sensibility to the role of Benjamin Shorofsky. He was stern, serious, intense, demanding and dead pan. Yet, he had a sense of humour he revealed with an impish little grin, quick glance or slightly raised eyebrow. He was also fiercely loyal to his students, especially his prize pupil Bruno Martelli.
Albert Hague brought a German sensibility to the role of Benjamin Shorofsky. He was stern, serious, intense, demanding and dead pan. Yet, he had a sense of humour he revealed with an impish little grin, quick glance or slightly raised eyebrow. He was also fiercely loyal to his students, especially his prize pupil Bruno Martelli.
It is interesting to look back, because I got none of this from the movie “Fame”. It was in the six seasons of the follow-up TV show where he revealed all this character.
He certainly left a lasting impression on me, because I can still picture specific scenes he was in 40 years ago.
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