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West Side Story Overview:

West Side Story (1961) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise and produced by Robert Wise, Walter Mirisch and Saul Chaplin.

SYNOPSIS

This is a jumping, heart-throbbing leap forward for film musicals, full of melodies you know by heart, frenetic dancing, and a time-tested romance. Based loosely on Romeo and Juliet, Laurents's stage production follows two New York street gangs and the ill-starred romance between Wood and Beymer that crosses the line between them. Moreno sparkles and Wood's luminous beauty would have any young gangster singing her name. Robbins clashed with Wise (who also brought stage smash The Sound of Music to the screen) and choreographed only four numbers (including "I Feel Pretty" and "America") but they're athletic, balletic stunners. The immortal songs (by Bernstein and Sondheim) also include "Maria," "The Jet Song," "Officer Krupke," and "Tonight."

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

West Side Story was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1997.

Academy Awards 1961 --- Ceremony Number 34 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorGeorge ChakirisWon
Best Supporting ActressRita MorenoWon
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Boris Leven; Set Decoration: Victor A. GangelinWon
Best CinematographyDaniel L. FappWon
Best DirectorRobert Wise, Jerome RobbinsWon
Best Film EditingThomas StanfordWon
Best Music - ScoringSaul Chaplin, Johnny Green, Sid Ramin, Irwin KostalWon
Best PictureRobert Wise, ProducerWon
Best WritingErnest LehmanNominated
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West Side Story BlogHub Articles:

West Side Story (2021)

By Alyson on Feb 10, 2022 From The Best Picture Project

Like many, I had my doubts when I heard that Steven Spielberg was directing a remake of West Side Story. First of all, the man has never taken on a musical. Second, West Side Story is already a masterpiece. How could he, even the great Spielberg, improve such a wonderful film? Long story short, he d... Read full article

Musical Monday: West Side Story (2021)

on Dec 13, 2021 From Comet Over Hollywood

It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals.In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 600. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals. This week’s musical:West Side Story (2021) –... Read full article

Musical Monday: West Side Story (1961)

on May 3, 2021 From Comet Over Hollywood

... Read full article

Classic Conversations: Two Award-Winning Costume Designers Re-Imagine ‘Rebecca’ and ‘West Side Story’

By Danny Miller on Nov 14, 2019 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

As classic movie lovers, we can be a very sensitive group when it comes to messing with our favorites. Even movies that seem to get a new version for each successive generation get severely criticized by those of us who are devotees of the originals. While Lady Gaga received a lot of acclaim... Read full article

Field Trip: “West Side Story” at AMC River East 21 on the big screen June 24

By Stephen Reginald on Jun 11, 2018 From Classic Movie Man

Field Trip: “West Side Story” at AMC River East 21 on the big screen June 24 West Side Story on the big screen Date: June 24 Where: AMC River East 21, 322 East Illinois, Chicago, IL Time: 2:00 p.m. This electrifying musical, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics from Stephe... Read full article

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West Side Story Quotes:

Tony: Well end your suffering little man. Why don't you pack up your gear and clear out of here?
Tony: You know what Maria and me are gonna do out in the country? We're gonna have kids, lots of 'em, and name them all after you-even the girls. That way when you come and visit...
Doc: [slaps him] Wake up! Is this the only way to get to you? Fight like all you kids do?
Riff: Boy, am I a victim of disappointment in you.
Maria: [after discovering that Bernardo is killed] Make it not true, please make it not true!
Riff: Four-and-a-half years I live wit' a buddy an' his family. I think I'm diggin' a guy's character... Boy, I'm a victim of disappointment in you.
Tony: End ya sufferin', little man. Why dontcha just pack up ya gear an' move out?
Riff: 'Cause ya ma's hot fa me...
See More Quotes from West Side Story
West Side Story Facts
Was the first film to win a Best Director Oscar for two directors (Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins). This would not happen again until 46 years later, when Joel Coen and Ethan Coen shared the award for No Country for Old Men.
The song "Gee Officer Krupke" was banned by the BBC because of its mentions of drug use and sexual ambiguity.
The song "One Hand, One Heart" was written for the earlier musical "Candide," but later discarded by Leonard Bernstein and revived for "West Side Story."
Riff and Tony repeat an oath of loyalty to each other: Riff says "womb to tomb" and Tony answers "birth to earth." On stage Tony's original answer was "sperm to worm," but this was changed for the movie because it was beyond the censorship standards of the time.
Opening dance sequences were shot on the upper west side of Manhattan where Lincoln Center stands today. This area was condemned and the buildings were in the process of being demolished to make way for Lincoln Center. The demolition of these buildings was delayed so that the filming of these sequences could be completed.
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