West Side Story
West Side Story
West Side Story#0
Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:37pm
The other day I was watching The Hollywood TRue Story of Natalie Wood, and they showed clips of West Side Story. I remember seeing this movie years ago... The music was great and so was the dancing.
What do you think?
re: West Side Story#2
Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:39pm
Besides Guys and Dolls and Porgy and Bess, West Side Story is my favorite musical. Just ever. The choreography is amazing, the songs catchy and pretty, and the ending heart wrenching. The way it was adapted from Romeo and Juliet impresses me so much.
And I love Natalie Wood. Even if she didn't really sing in the movie
re: West Side Story#3
Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:40pmThe dancing is amazing. But Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood have absolutely no chemistry. Both miscast, especially him. However, the music and the dancing almost make up for it.
re: West Side Story#4
Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:41pm
Well as discussed on other threads recently, NOBODY does their own singing in the film. Not even Rita Moreno, who is dubbed on certain notes of "America" and all of "A Boy Like That."
I agree. Natalie Wood is a wonderful Maria. She's the heart of that film.
re: West Side Story#5
Posted: 8/8/05 at 4:42pmSpecifically about the film, I watched it not long ago. The thought that kept coming to mind was, "Every director who makes a movie musical should have to watch this one first. It's perfectly filmed." Not just the actual songs, but the way the editing works with the underscore and the dance sequences -- brilliant.
re: West Side Story#8
Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:18pm
Natalie Wood was NOT a miscast. She gave a splendid performance. And those b*tches screwed her over big time with the singing.
If this movie was done today, Natalie and the rest of the cast would be doing their own singing.
re: West Side Story#10
Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:23pmMadonna and Prince approached Sondheim about doing a remake in the 1980s. Supposedly, he laughed in their faces.
re: West Side Story#11
Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:23pmHopefully more actors that are actually Latino.
re: West Side Story#13
Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:25pmShoot me - but Jenny Lo has the moves and look for Anita.
re: West Side Story#16
Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:27pm
Me too. She could definitely act the role too. She is getting a lot of buzz for her performance in the upcoming AN UNFINISHED LIFE.
re: West Side Story#18
Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:36pmPersonally, I cannot think of any film actors that have the vocal training necessary for this show. Anita could be done by J.Lo. I can see that. But for Maria? She needs to have such a pure, pristine voice. I wouldn't want to hear an untrained singer singing those songs. It wouldn't be right. I'm glad they dubbed it. Natalie Wood is an outstanding actress, but I fear for what her singing might have been like. Thank God for Marni Nixon!
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
re: West Side Story#19
Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:54pm
Some of the dubbing was unnecessary. Dubbing Russ Tamblyn for the Jet Song?? I think in some cases they went dubbing happy. I dunno, I feel like esp. for Maria and Tony they could have tried more to get people who could sing the parts, but I guess dubbing was used often in movies in those days.
Still though, as much as I love the movie and little order changes they make(switching Krupke w/ Cool) I like the OBC recording much better then the soundtrack, especially Tony, I loove Larry Kert's voice.
re: West Side Story#20
Posted: 8/8/05 at 5:59pm
No matter who would've been casted as Maria and Tony in the original WSS movie - they would've been dubbed. The producers were "dubbing crazy."
Natalie Wood was an amazing actress, and some consider her the best Maria - even without singing her own vocals. And mind you Natalie's outtakes are somewhere. Sadly they haven't been released, but they let you sample some on the special eddition WSS dvd.
But all this was made up for - because they let Natalie use her beautiful vocals in the GYPSY movie.
Updated On: 8/8/05 at 05:59 PM
re: West Side Story#21
Posted: 8/8/05 at 6:06pmIve commented on this before, but since its being discussed here.... I actually have heard all of Wood's vocal tapes. She could have used some sweatening to give her voice a fuller sound, but she certainly hits all the notes. I don't think she'd be dubbed today. Particularly, because her interpretation of the lyrics is so superior to what Marni Nixon did.
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