West Side Story (1961) | |
| Director(s) | Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise |
| Producer(s) | Saul Chaplin (associate), Robert Wise, Walter Mirisch (executive uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Musical, Romance |
| Top Topics | Based on Play, Coming of Age, New York, Romance (Drama), Romance (Musical), Tragic Love |
Featured Cast:
West Side Story Overview:
West Side Story (1961) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and produced by Robert Wise, Walter Mirisch and Saul Chaplin.
West Side Story was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1997.
Academy Awards 1961 --- Ceremony Number 34 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Supporting Actor | George Chakiris | Won |
| Best Supporting Actress | Rita Moreno | Won |
| Best Art Direction | Art Direction: Boris Leven; Set Decoration: Victor A. Gangelin | Won |
| Best Cinematography | Daniel L. Fapp | Won |
| Best Director | Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins | Won |
| Best Film Editing | Thomas Stanford | Won |
| Best Music - Scoring | Saul Chaplin, Johnny Green, Sid Ramin, Irwin Kostal | Won |
| Best Picture | Robert Wise, Producer | Won |
| Best Writing | Ernest Lehman | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
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 ManField 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
Win Tickets to see “TCM Big Screen Classics: West Side Story” (Giveaway runs through June 9)
By Annmarie Gatti on May 20, 2018 From Classic Movie Hub BlogWin tickets to see ?West Side Story? on the big screen! In Select Cinemas Nationwide Sun June 24 and Wed June 27! ?When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way! from your first cigarette your last dyin’ days.? CMH continues into our?3rd year of our partnership with Fathom Events?- w... Read full article
West Side Story (1961)
By Beatrice on Jun 20, 2017 From Flickers in TimeWest Side Story Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins Written by Ernest Lehman from the musical play by Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins; lyrics by Stephen Sondheim 1961/USA The Mirisch Corporation/Seven Arts Productions Repeat viewing/Netflix rental One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before ... Read full article
West Side Story: The Names Behind the Jets and Sharks
on Oct 18, 2016 From Comet Over HollywoodWhen I was 14 in 2002, I watched “West Side Story” for the first time and became obsessed with the movie musical, which premiered 55 years ago in New York City on Oct. 18, 1961. My dad who introduced me to the film later regretted it, because I listened to the soundtrack every night and ... Read full article
Review: West Side Story (1961)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Feb 4, 2016 From 4 Star FilmsLook at West Side Story through a simple lens and you might see a Shakespearian classic given a 1950s face lift and set to music. It might seem antiquated, perhaps not as politically correct as we have come to expect, and maybe a bit regressive. However, this musical based off of the bard’s fa... Read full article
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Quotes from
Lieutenant Schrank: Do you mind?
Doc: I have no mind. I am the village idiot.
Doc: [frustrated] Why do you kill?
Tony: [picks up the scattered money] I told you how it happened, Maria understands, I thought you did too.
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Facts about
Shooting in 65mm was prohibitively expensive. After their experiences making this film - and especially Jerome Robbins' extensive reshooting - the Mirisch brothers refused to make any more films in the format.
Robert Wise wanted the film to have a single rising line of tension, with no light moments after the rumble. Therefore, "I Feel Pretty" was moved earlier, and the positions of "Cool" and "Gee, Officer Krupke" were reversed. Those who feel that the sassy, light-hearted tone of "Gee, Officer Krupke" is out of place following the deaths that end the first act prefer the film's ordering of the numbers. The placement of "I Feel Pretty" and "Gee, Officer Krumpke" after the Rumble in the stage version was meant to help cheer people up after the deaths of Bernardo and Riff, as audiences were not used to death occurring in Broadway musicals. This issue is still heatedly debated among the film's fans.
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