Elvis Presley as Tony
-
oprlvr33 — 10 years ago(July 03, 2015 11:46 AM)
Humorously I had almost imagined the same premises, except that for, perhaps Wise had not seen most of Presley's films (including the Westerns) .. and basely considered the legendary King to be part of his hopeful film version on the potential of bias perhaps. Or simply a ratings issue; which would have made little sense, as WSS was not a TV show. In any face, Wise being a respected film producer, and an obvious Elvis fan, would have had some major (understated) budget issues on his hands in casting Presley, with having to hire a talent coach to justify casting a mediocre actor in a magnitude production.
Peanutlee33 -
friendoffilm — 10 years ago(July 03, 2015 04:40 PM)
From what I understand and what I heard/read, Elvis Presley did date Natalie Wood for awhile at one point. I sincerely wonder if that, too might've been a factor in Robert Wise's having first approached Elvis Presley for the role of Tony in the film version of
West Side Story. -
friendoffilm — 10 years ago(July 11, 2015 08:37 PM)
Hmmmm.never gave the idea that Elvis Presley wouldn't have had to be dubbed had he played Tony any consideration, but then again, since dubbing in movies was rather common back then, who knows what might've happened?
-
spookyrat1 — 10 years ago(July 22, 2015 05:20 AM)
While Elvis indeed could act (fairly well), the bulk of his roles were his own music/movies. A few of his more dramatic roles were okay, but not award-worthy.
I admit it would be really interesting to have seen what sort of success he may have made of the role, but the sharp Colonel didn't want Elvis diluting the strength of his own brand at a time when he was at the height of his personal global popularity. -
dmnemaine — 9 years ago(April 26, 2016 11:47 PM)
I don't know if Elvis (a singer in the baritone range) could have handled the tenor role of Tony. Seems almost as weird to me as Judy Garland being the original actress considered for Julie Jordan in the original film verison of Carousel. Fantastic singer. Wrong range.
-
friendoffilm — 9 years ago(April 27, 2016 12:53 PM)
Hmmmmm.that's an interesting thought, dmnemaine. If that's the case, it's kind of too bad, because Elvis Presley had the looks and the personality of an ex-gang member, plus he did have a good voice and dancing ability. You may be right about Elvis Presley's not being able to handle the tenor range, too, however.
-
pontevedro — 9 years ago(January 15, 2017 02:27 PM)
Timing is wrong. WSS was released in 1961 and Proby had only a couple of independent label singles at the time. His Wikipedia biography says that he had a couple of small roles in films early on, but they must have been uncredited. I think he would have too obscure at the time.
As for Elvis himself, I agree with an earlier poster who said that it would have made WSS story into an Elvis Presley movie, rather than the ensemble effect that came to be. It's interesting to think about, but it probably worked out for the best that he didn't. -
greenbudgie — 9 years ago(February 04, 2017 04:43 AM)
Thanks for the information about P.J. Proby. I've just thought of 'Somewhere' which is another song that PJ had a hit with in the UK so obviously he must have been a fan of this film.
I agree that it would have been a bad idea for Elvis to have been in 'West Side Story.' But it would have been good for the then obscure PJ.