West Side Story (1961) - The Making Of

[@lauralamkay1246]

I grew up watching WSS every year it came into my TV. I cried very hard with the ending music. I remember having a crush on Bernardo and Tony. I was probably around 9 or 10 having to see it for the first time.. I was born in Manhattan on April 2nd 1960. Can't believe that much time has gone by. WSS and the Wizard of Oz were my top notch favorites until 1973 when JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR came out and I had a new crush on Ted. Neeley . I was hooked on the music ever since. In 1995 and :96 The musical came to Syracuse where I got to meet Ted Neeley twice and he remembered me!!

[@vickitaylor680]

I love Russ Tamblyn’s dancing.

[@if6was929]

I agree but Bobby Banas as Joyboy in Westside Story was the best dancer.

[@victoriagordziel8594]

My favorite movie ever! Thank you!

[@paulyricca3881]

🥃👴🏻 MY FAVORITE MOVIE IS TUB BOAT ANNIE.

[@bon47ful]

Brilliant. For all time. 💔

[@bruceandt]

I was 4 turning 5 years old. 1972. I watched the movie on our black and white TV. My Mom had purchased the album. It folded open like a book of songs and pictures of what I was watching. I remember matching each scene with the still photos as I watched. Looking back on that time, I remember music and movement. That was huge for me. The music matched the physicality. I cannot explain why this movie affected me so deeply and forever. So many individual moments with music and things I didn’t understand yet.

[@blanchefan]

Why aren't more people watching this?? It's even MORE brilliant now than when I saw it seven months ago. This is about the original movie--1961--that's right, than won 10 Academy Awards. I did love the new Spielberg version--a beautiful production--but the magic of the original is unsurpassed. THEN, go see the original movie on the BIGGEST screen you can get or borrow--with the best sound. You'll--be--so--moved.💓💞💕❤‍🔥👄

[@TW-ed9gk]

Grew up watching this all the time since Tucker Smith was my uncle. He was the best and miss him very much.

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

Tucker Smith played a major role as Ice in the original. He was one of my favorites and just stood out. His looks, talent. Cool was awesome in the original. His dancing was unbelievable. In this new version Cool was terrible and I couldn't even find Ice. Your uncle was a gift. Gone too soon but will always be remembered.

[@aschmitt3395]

I was mesmerized by his eyes!

[@TW-ed9gk]

@@aschmitt3395 My mother had the same ones and I was fortunate to get a set too. Thanks..

[@troyannbladsacker1811]

@@aschmitt3395 so was I!!!

[@ilsaramos379]

Sorry to read of your loss. Be proud you can see your uncle on the screen. Spiritually, it must mean a lot to him that even today the movie is still shown. Be grateful you can still see him. That others still watch the movie. So many of them have passed. It's sad. Still be grateful that this movie has become such a legend. Such a legend that today this movie continues to be a legend for those now born in the 21st century. Hopefully it will teach our youth, reality of life. I only wish people would learn from this movie and apply it to their own lives. All due to the fact it's a movie based on reality. Reality in regards to the world back then and the world we live in today. I've been fortunate to have seen Chita Rivera visiting my school a few times. She smiled at me. I didn't know who she was til later. I thought it was because we are of the same culture. She seemed nice & friendly. Later l was told who she was.l never saw the version she was in. Ive only seen the version your uncle was in. In fact l just spotted 2wks ago the new version on dvd as l was shopping. I bought it. The roles of Anita, Bernardo, and of Riff were the best. I felt a lot was missing. A lot was cut out. My criticism is simply because I've studied music/dance. l felt a lot more depth into these characters was missing. The way the 60s movie touched people of my generation. Not long ago l saw a reunion on tv. There were 3 of them. I had to laugh when George Chakirus said his pants tore and he was then given tights to hide the year. Studying dance l've seen that in class. Then the guy who portraits Riff now claims he could hardly walk with all those stunts he did. As for Rita Moreno my mother also detested the song of PR. When Mom watched the show she asked, "is that what you do in class? No wonder! l realize why you come home you're dragging yourself. Then going to see Dr. Goldstein!" I'd tell her it's exercise, it keeps you busy/young! She would role her eyes and smirk! ❤️🤸😀

[@marleneanderson9501]

Love this movie , I first saw it when I was about 15 years old. Now in 2024 still watching it still loving it. ❤

[@4everyoungsusie]

There is not one dull part in this movie. Every scene was done with so much style & grace & it take me back to my childhood growing up in Manhattan ghettos & loved living it.

[@kathieburchett]

I saw them first movie in 1961,I was 11yrs old. Love the dancing and singing and intensity. It really communicated teenage angst and needing to belong. It shows the animalistic feelings that people give into when they don't have good examples of strong direction from their parents. The best version is the first movie, by far.

[@Mike-dk7wj]

The greatness of West Side Story is that every component of the show is so extraordinary and moreover so well integrated. Just one example: the music is remarkable but so are the orchestrations, which are a story unto themselves. Glad to see Sid Ramin, Bernstein's childhood friend and one of the two orchestrators of the original stage production and the film, being interviewed.

[@maximohita9863]

Es la mejor película del Mundo.

[@2034916]

118 times I’ve seen it. My favorite movie of all time.

[@jenniferwise8515]

Fabulous! Thanks for posting. I love both the 1961 and 2021 WSS versions. All artists interpret in their own way.

[@lauralamkay1246]

Haven't seen the 2021 yet.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I really thought Spielberg was insane to remake it. But it was Rita Moreno being involved that got me hyped.

[@if6was929]

I was 11 when the original West Side Story was released in theaters but didn't get to see it until two years later. I had a classmate who saw it and after he told me about it, all I could think of was seeing that movie. However, the Catholic Legion of Decency categorized it as "Morally Objectional" and my mother wouldn't let me see it. When I became old enough to go to the movies by myself, I went to the theater where it had been playing for two years straight, I bought a ticket for .25 cents, plopped down into a seat and finally saw the movie which would occupy my consciousness for years. Oddly (maybe not?), as an Anglo, I thought Bernardo was the coolest character in the movie! Living in Brooklyn, I could identify with the characters, the fighting and the romance between Maria and Tony. It was the music though, which really impressed me, I still feel the same emotion listening to it now, as I did as a pre-teen kid, its my favorite musical score. I don't care much for musicals but West Side Story I love and listen to frequently.

[@jeannecontreras475]

So so moving. To work with the Maestro ❤️

[@richardkilroy3248]

Thank you for this. Tucker finally gets some of his due here and it's appreciated.

[@joecates3371]

Everyone loves the original West side story

[@marknewton6984]

The original is better!

[@lauralamkay1246]

I haven't seen the new one,and sorry to say that they made another one just so it's in Spanish???? Stick to the original one.

[@paulyricca3881]

🥃👴🏻 I DONT

[@julioalcaraz5417]

@@lauralamkay1246-Absolutely

[@stevenhaff7973]

Thank you for posting this! I enjoyed it very much.

[@blanchefan]

Brilliantly done. The movie, of course; also this video--is a great homage to West Side Story. Thank you!😍

[@SteveBrant55]

Absolutely wonderful retrospective / tribute / study of its contribution to societies all over the world!

[@StuartWilliamson-q3r]

We were given the stage version of WSS in the 50s by a very hip music teacher, Mr Warnock BW Smith in a secondary modern school in the industrial north of England. I've been living with the music and the story since I was 13 or 14 and still love it. I eventually got to make a waxwork of Leonard Bernstien for Madame Tussauds. A highlight of my waxworking career.

[@paulyricca3881]

🥃👴🏻 MY HUSBAND LEFT ME FOR THE BUTTER AND EGG MAN.

[@2034916]

You’re absolutely right.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I think the 1961 and 2021 film versions are equally beautiful! They both have their pros and cons. But it’s still the same passionate love story set to timeless songs! Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim created a rare score where I love almost every tune. And as a millennial theatre kid, I say that without West Side Story, there would be no High School Musical or In The Heights. RIP Mr. Sondheim

[@marknewton6984]

The original was better!

[@manuelorozco7760]

@@marknewton6984 To each their own

[@fgaspar1]

I was a teenager in the 90s when I first saw Robbins/Wise WSS. I couldn’t believe my eyes with that prologue and the whole film. This is as far as music, dance and cinema can get. It seemed to me that I didn’t know anything of art until this.

[@michaellazzeri2069]

IMO, both " America " & " Cool " are , hands-down, THE best ensemble dance sequences ever filmed. EVER. ----------------MJL, 76 y/o

[@lauralamkay1246]

I grew up with the movie as much as The Wizard of OZ!

[@manuelorozco7760]

I’ve seen Wizard of Oz more times

[@paulyricca3881]

🥃👴🏻 SOOO HOW OLD IS U 900?

[@paulyricca3881]

@@manuelorozco7760🥃👴🏻 THE WIZ IS BETTER.

[@elizabethramirezsierra3700]

RIP Stephen Sondheim

[@paulyricca3881]

🥃👴🏻 RIP LAWRENCE TIERNEY THE GREATEST ACTOR IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD 🌍 BAR NONE.

[@michaellazzeri2069]

I 1st saw " WSS" in the late summer of '61, in Denver, at the only theater showing it at the time, The Denham, on 17th & California streets in old Downtown. I was 14, heading to 15 & my sophomore year in HS in September. As always when I really wanted to see a film, I went alone. I saw the Saturday matinee, & stayed for the 7PM showing , after letting Dad know where I was. As a young kid in the 50's, my Mom often dragged me to films, especially, the musicals. I saw Astaire & Kelly , but honestly, didn't think much of them. They were too old for me to identify with, at all. But Ohhhhh my ! " WSS" changed EVERYTHING ! 1st off, I so wanted to dance down the street like the Jets did, because "WSS" suddenly made dance macho, & bad-ass. And then, there was ' Maria " ! Did I care that she wasn't really Puerto Rican , or do her own singing ? Of course not ! She was gorgeous, & I was in love . Totally.---- the music-------the dancing-------the story ----------all moved me in my teen years, as no film has ever done since. For me, the '61 "WSS' " is a timeless Masterpiece. Now maybe, this new '21 version is as good -------maybe-------but I doubt it. seriously. ------------MJL, 76 y/o

[@lauralamkay1246]

I was only a year old when it came out, but grew up with it years later. 9 years old or older. I love the movie so much and still do.

[@robertblount9985]

Michael, ditto on EVERYTHING you said. I was 10yo in 1961 and loved it to my bones.

[@adelebz7]

Russ Tamblyn, Richard Beymer and Queen 👑 IGOT are still here. I love this movie so much!!

[@marknewton6984]

So much!

[@barbaratang8685]

So is George Chakiris

[@cor-z8m]

Can’t and won’t watch the remake! There is only one Mona Lisa!

[@marknewton6984]

Yes the original is better!

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

I've watched the film numerous times, and I learned some Spanish as well 😊 and then I watched the original Swedish production. They had a really cool scenography with the New York fire stairs, really cool

[@adelebz7]

Oh dear, and George Chakiris, the stars ✨ in the movie WSS.

[@deniseoates7147]

I wonder if any of the extras of the original movie was asked to be extras in the background since it seem there are a few that might still be alive. I saw a few older people in like when Tony in the 2021 version is singing Maria, he walks past an older gent cleaning the courtyard and then he goes past an older lady sitting on the bench feeding pigeons. I am really happy that Moreno was still around to participate in the reimagining WSS2 but did any other casts from the original answer the call just to be included no matter how small the appearance. If so, that would be totally cool, but it would be nice for that to be pointed out if that the case.

[@malp1]

Two of the Jets from the 1961 movie are in the Spielberg version: David Bean appears briefly in "America" as a shop owner, and Bert Michaels is the Gimbels security guard. Yvonne Othon, who memorably delivered the line "I know you do!" in "America" in the first movie, only very recently died; I wonder if she was asked to deliver the same line in the new movie?

[@deniseoates7147]

@@malp1 Thankd so much for providing this information because I just knew if there had to be others from the 1961 version would have love being in this one to and I saw a lot of elders in the background. That cool and I am sad to hear the news on Yvonne Othon (RIP). That would have made me giggle with glee.

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

Rita Moreno, playing Anita in the 1960s film, was the female Doc in the new West Side Story film, and it made me teary eyed. Not sure if anyone else was in it

[@kevinfarrell523]

A Wise film.

[@willsullivan7074]

Maria's warning: "What killed them is hate! Well now I hate" has been completely ignored and become a way of life.

[@leann1956]

A Masterpiece

[@Brother_Dre1900]

The original West Side Story (1961), was the best version of this story. Don't get me wrong, the 2021 version is a good film, but not a great film. And as a classically trained dancer, I can easily say that the original movie's dance scenes, were far superior.

[@MrCrowebobby]

I was a dance student then and saw the original production. The most impressive thing for me was that the gang members all looked like the producers went up to the Bronx and asked a bunch of street kids if they wanted to be in a musical and then trained them. I knew they all had years of training and theater experience, but that right-off-the-street aura was overpowering. It didn't transfer to the film.

[@Brother_Dre1900]

@@MrCrowebobby you're right about the transference to film. That's what I liked about the 1961 film.

[@MrCrowebobby]

@@Brother_Dre1900 I was referring to the 1961 film. Those "gang" members looked like "dancers"; and Richard Beymer looked like a big "fruit" (that was his own opinion). As a classically trained dancer, that may not have bothered you; it drove me crazy.

[@2034916]

I agree with you completely, but the 1961 was far superior, I think. I didn’t like Spielberg’s version of “Cool” or “Somewhere.” I may be in the minority, but the bedroom scene with Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood was very sensual. I saw it when I was 13 and now I’m 75, and it still affects me. Btw, I’ve seen WSS 1961 version 118 times as of today. My favorite film forever. And the ending, the last 10 minutes of the film, still resonates me, and I know what’s going to happen. “Somewhere” is a love song between Maria and Tony, and this was so disappointing in Spielberg’s version as well as the number “Cool,” which is one of the most beautiful iconic dance numbers ever filmed. With all due respect to Spielberg and the marvelous singers and dancers, the original was far superior. Who couldn’t/wouldn’t remember George Chakiris in his purple shirt and Moreno in her purple dress? The dance “America” on the rooftop is far superior to the street scene in Spielberg’s version. George Chakiris wrote a memoir about his life, and what he said about the film and Richard Beymer’s performance is noteworthy. I was at a book signing and spoke with him personally. He was charming and sweet and still so handsome. Love him and Richard both.

[@marknewton6984]

The original was better.

[@williamfairchild7439]

I do like both the 1961 and 2021 film versions of West Side Story

[@marknewton6984]

But the original was better!

[@williamfairchild7439]

@@marknewton6984 Indeed

[@marknewton6984]

Natalie, Chakiris, Tamblyn, Rita -- WOW!!

[@brucegruben140]

My parents had the album. So when we finally saw the movie. We were like WOW. Great soundtrack and Movie. Natalie was beautiful. I know she didn’t sing.

[@Juliaflo]

In loving memory of Tony Mordente, who played Action.

[@curtistedrow-harder2719]

Who originally published this documentary? I am not able to find it.

[@garydubois5539]

The Steven Spielberg remake was a good movie. The original film is a masterpiece. I don't care how "unwoke" people think it is. Its pure unadulterated theatrical electricity. Spielbergs film just misses the theatrical punch the original had. What's the missing ingredient?? In a word (or a name) Jerome Robbijns.

[@2034916]

I agree with you and want to add two points which really turned me off from Spielberg’s version: “Somewhere” is a love song that is sung by Maria and Tony about the hopeless state of their relationship. It is not a generic song, as was portrayed in the Spielberg version. The number “Cool” is such an iconic dance number and is on everyone’s list as one of the best dances in the history of musicals is treated ridiculously in Spielberg’s version. It is not that it was poorly executed in his recreation, but it is on no comparable level to the original. And I also prefer the original’s version of “America.” George Chakiris in his purple shirt and Rita Monreno in her purple dress are unforgettable. With all due respect to Spielberg and his talented singers and dancers, the original is far superior in EVERY WAY to the new version.

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

It's the truth, equally as real then as it is now

[@if6was929]

Spielberg's remake of WSS was unnecessary.

[@elizabethramirezsierra3700]

0:27 RIP Yvonne Othon

[@robclark4626]

RIP Tony Mordente

[@elizabethramirezsierra3700]

12:09 Original 1961 theatrical trailer

[@manuelorozco7760]

I wish someone can fully upload it

[@emeraldkimble7602]

The location became Lincoln center

[@adelebz7]

The 👑 IGOT is Rita Moreno.

[@laurieberry4814]

Natalie Wood was a beautiful woman.

[@d.martin7692]

Everything has to be "woke" these days.

[@kevinfarrell523]

The British Film Institute dismisses its dancing as "dreary" . .😊

[@marknewton6984]

British Film is dreary.

[@marknewton6984]

British Film is dreary.