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:
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 BlogAs 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 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
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Quotes from
Lieutenant Schrank: At the gym last night, your brother got into a heavy argument because you danced with the wrong boy.
Maria: Yes
Lieutenant Schrank: Who was that boy?
Maria: Another from my country.
Lieutenant Schrank: And his name?
Maria: Jose.
Bernardo: [singing] Everywhere grime in America / Organised crime in America / Terrible time in America
Anita: You forget I'm in America
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Facts about
In 2010, Stephen Sondheim (who wrote the lyrics) told "Fresh Air" interviewer Terry Gross that while he was writing the stage musical, he originally wanted the show to be the first one in Broadway history to use the words "fuck" and "shit" in its song lyrics. He wanted the end of the song "Gee, Officer Krupke" to be "Gee, Officer Krupke/Fuck you!" (instead of what it became, which is "Gee, Officer Krupke/Krup you!"), and he wanted the lyrics in "The Jets Song" to be "When you're a Jet/If the shit hits the fan" instead of "When you're a Jet/If the spit hits the fan". However, the show's writers were informed that if the Original Cast Album contained those profanities, it would have been illegal to ship the record across state lines. So Sondheim made the substitutions for those words that appear in both the stage show and the movie.
Gus Trikonis who played Indio, one of the Puerto Rican Sharks - and who is actually Greek - is the brother of Gina Trikonis, who played Graziella, the tough red-haired Italian girlfriend of Riff, leader of the Jets.
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