Natalie Wood STUNK in this film!
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shulma2002 — 10 years ago(May 05, 2015 09:04 AM)
Ms. Wood, one of my favorite actresses, was miscast for this film. The producers also wanted Audrey Hepburn for the role; even worse. They had to darken Natalie's skin and made her speak in an annoying speech pattern. Poor casting ruined the film for me despite the great songs and choreography.
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Blueghost — 13 years ago(January 22, 2013 12:09 AM)
by willbrax (Mon Jul 9 2012 15:57:30)
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I don't know what any of the rest of you are thinking, but she was AWFUL!!! And Richard Beymer wasn't much better. And George Chakiris was too slight, pretty, and effeminate to be convincing. After Jimmy Dean died aside from Brando, Clift, McQueen and Beatty all that was left were lightweights.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
Maybe you can show us how it's done by writing the script, raising the money, casting the roles, shooting the film, then editing and marketing the thing to show us your "Maria" prodigy.
Go now.
Your destiny awaits. -
StrongRex — 13 years ago(January 27, 2013 04:16 PM)
WSSlover, I heard that Natalie resented Richard because of the whole Rebel Without a Cause audition. Wasn't Richard made to audition by his agent for Sal Mineo's role? And didn't Natalie, James Dean, and the director make fun of him because he was so much taller than Dean?
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friendoffilm — 10 years ago(May 25, 2015 03:04 PM)
This:
WSSlover, I heard that Natalie resented Richard because of the whole Rebel Without a Cause audition. Wasn't Richard made to audition by his agent for Sal Mineo's role? And didn't Natalie, James Dean, and the director make fun of him because he was so much taller than Dean?
I didn't know, StrongRex, but I
am
aware of Natalie Wood's extreme hostility towards Richard Beymer, and the fact that Natalie Wood did actually try to get Richard Beymer kicked off of the set (inotherwords, fired) on several occasions. -
puirt-a-beul — 12 years ago(May 04, 2013 07:22 AM)
Are you really claiming that Jimmy Dean *
wasn't- slight, pretty and effeminate? Really?? He was a brilliant actor, but come on
Anyway. I thought Natalie Wood was a great choice for the role. True, she didn't look Puerto Rican, she was noticeably less physically assured than most of the others in the cast, and her accent sounded like an actor's voice exercise rather than a real person speaking, but she handled the role well, she was sweet and appealing but still with an underlying strength, her emotions were convincing and she probably bridged the gap adequately for the predominantly-white audience between them and the Puerto Rican characters.
George Chakiris all I can say is that his dancing and singing were spot on, I thought his accent was mostly good, and I had no trouble believing they would have accepted him as a leader of the gang. What he lacked in physical menace he made up for in commanding presence and auhtoritative bearing. To be honest, I thought the most lacking thing about his performance was his makeup.
And Richard Beymer yes, he was wet. But to be fair, so has every Tony I've ever seen been wet and (honestly) more than a little annoying as was Romeo before him, in fact. I've never warmed to the character of Tony in any production, so I figure that's just the way it is with him. Maybe that's what draws Maria to him, as a contrast to all the dripping, steaming machismo that surrounds her every day.
You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.
- slight, pretty and effeminate? Really?? He was a brilliant actor, but come on