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.

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).

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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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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) ? Music... Read full article


Musical Monday: West Side Story (1961)

on May 3, 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 (1961) ? Mus... 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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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.


Riff: Boy, am I a victim of disappointment in you.


Tony: You're not thinking I'm someone else?
Maria: I know you are not.
Tony: Or that we've met before?
Maria: I know we have not.
Tony: I felt, I knew something never before was going to happen, had to happen. But this is so much more.
Maria: My hands are cold.
[he takes them in his]
Maria: Yours too.
[he moves them to his face]
Maria: So warm.
[she moves his to hers]
Tony: So beautiful.
Maria: Beautiful.
Tony: It's so much to believe. You're not making a joke?
Maria: I have not yet learned how to joke that way. I think now I never will.


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Facts about

"Cool" was such a demanding number for the performers, Harvey Evans (aka Harvey Hohnecker), who played Mouthpiece, later stated that the actors ritually burned their kneepads upon wrapping the scene.
Eliot Feld (Baby John) collapsed and ended up hospitalized with pneumonia during the demanding filming of "Cool".
Filmed on-location on West 61st Street.
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Best Picture Oscar 1961






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National Film Registry

West Side Story

Released 1961
Inducted 1997
(Sound)




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Also produced by Robert Wise




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