Needs a serious re-make…
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bluesouptin — 9 years ago(April 14, 2016 09:28 PM)
Agreed, cheeso65. In fact, I believe WWS finds its grittiness in the phenomenon of delinquent youth gangs, emergent in the mid-1950s, and prominent on the Upper West side of Manhattan (Spanish Harlem). Interestingly, some say that the story originated as a Romeo & Juliet re-cast set in Manhattan's Lower East Sidethe combatant gangs, Catholics and Jews. Essentially, East Side Story!
But here's a question a friend once raised: Inasmuch as the story mines the tension of socially forbidden love, what better polarity in 1961 than that between black and white? And to spike the southern (and northern) outrage, cast Tony and the Jets as black and Mary (Maria) and the Sharks as poor whites, and watch the sparks of miscegenation fly! [Consider that, in WSS, for all the cultural disassociation depicted, no real
color
difference exists between Tony and Maria, nor much between the Jets and the Sharks, in truth. Yet, color matters as one of America's true markers of "otherness." Casting directors well know this.]
With black Jets and white Sharks, and all the racial hatred of 1961 thrown atop the production, many would have agreed with Anita's plea to Maria to "find one of her own kind." Of course, film producers of the era would never have attempted such a casting. Why? Because they knew their audiences and would have believed, rightly, in the unpalatability of a "black/white" casting. Such a main casting would have trouble, even today, more's the pity. -
jschillig — 9 years ago(April 14, 2016 07:25 PM)
I wouldn't mind a new adaptation, if it's done well. I mean, why do we see different stage productions of the same play or musical, if not to see what different directors and actors can bring out of it?
But I think I'd rather see it done as a live television musical. Most of the ones they've done so far have been rather lightheartedit would be a bit of a change to see them do a serious one with more serious themes for a change. -
leader-7 — 9 years ago(April 14, 2016 09:56 PM)
Op: this may sound harsh, but you're an idiot. And also probably a troll, and/or very young. Now go back to your play pen and listen to the music again. if you can, try really really hard to understand real musical composition, and if not, return to your preferred dreck, and stay away from here.
No remake. You don't futz with perfection. -
tobyfathom — 9 years ago(June 06, 2016 01:55 PM)
It seems the remake in development is a self indulgent project by Steven Spielberg that will white wash the title role (the three women in contention for Maria are all white, blue eyed, and blonde haired [at least naturally]).
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friendoffilm — 9 years ago(June 06, 2016 02:51 PM)
It seems the remake in development is a self indulgent project by Steven Spielberg that will white wash the title role (the three women in contention for Maria are all white, blue eyed, and blonde haired [at least naturally]).
I'm not worried about the women who are in contention for the part of Maria in Spielberg's desired re-make of the film
West Side Story.
What does concern me, however, is that Steve Spielberg insists on showing his affection for
West Side Story
by messing with a classic, when it really should be left alone!
Moreover, tobyfathom, you're absolutely spot-on when you say that the remake of West Side Story by Spielberg in development is a self-indulgent project that will white-wash every single thing about itand make a total piece of junky, cheap, and cheesy hip-hop rap film out of a beautiful classic.
Steve Spielberg, if you're listening, I suggest that you pull the plug on your plans to re-make the film
West Side Story
while you're behind.
Don't do it!
Thanks. -
friendoffilm — 9 years ago(June 22, 2016 05:32 AM)
Riff's girlfriend, Graziella, doesn't sing, except in the
"Cool"
scene, which, in the film version of
West Side Story
, is closer to the end of the film.
I don't know Florence Welch, so I have no comparison(s) to make, but I still remain a nay-sayer when it comes to a re-make of this iconic classic.
You all know where I stand on this one! -
friendoffilm — 9 years ago(June 25, 2016 05:12 PM)
Thanks, leader-7!
Great to hear from you, too! I watched the TCM airing of
West Side Story
just this past Thursday night, which I enjoyed immensely, as usual. My 6.5 year old pet Congo African Grey Parrot, Aziza, also watched it with me, and enjoyed it just about as much! there's another airing of WSS on TCM coming on Monday, July 4th, at 5:15 p. m., and there's a screening of the film
West Side Story
in 70mm coming to the Somerville Theatre, not far from where I live, in late September, as part of their week-long 70mm film presentation series, which I plan to go to, and invite my sister and a friend of mine, if they're interested in coming along. The Tickets aren't on sale yet, however. I'm watching and waiting for it. . I'm so excited! It may strike some people a little bit weird that I get so excited over a 55 year old film, but what the heck? I just relax and enjoy it!!
