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Set in the Lincoln Square neighborhood in Manhattan on the West Side, we see a gang of youths known as the Jets. They roam and rule their turf, but don't like the fact that the neighborhood also has a large group of young Puerto Rican men roaming as well. Those are the Sharks, and both gangs dislike each other greatly. The opening minutes of the film see both gangs take turns chasing and intercepting one another, and it eventually turns into a fight amongst them all until it gets broken up by Lt. Schrank (Simon Oakland) and Officer Krupke (William Bramley). Schrank doesn't take sides per se, but he doesn't hide his distaste for the Latinos either. He tells both gangs to go their separate ways, and they do. A tomboyish girl named Anybodys (Susan Oakes) wants to join the Jets, but gang leader Riff (Russ Tamblyn) tells her no repeatedly. After our first vocal number, "The Jet Song", Riff decides to try and get his best friend who helped him form the gang, Tony (Richard Beymer), to rejoin them in getting rid of the Sharks once and for all.
Tony works at Doc's drug store and soda fountain, and he's happy to see Riff but refuses to go back to the gang, and he says that's behind him. Plus, he feels like he's just around the corner from something life-changing, even though he doesn't know what that will be ("Something's Coming"). Eventually, Tony does promise to make an appearance and see the Jets at the dance recital later that night, arriving at 10PM once he finishes work. Meanwhile, at the home of Sharks leader Bernardo (George Chakiris), his girlfriend Anita (Rita Moreno) has dressed up Bernardo's younger sister Maria (Natalie Wood), as Maria will be attending the dance, her first event as a young woman, new to America. Maria also has a feeling that tonight will be the beginning of her new life. Anita jokes that Maria just moved here to marry Chino (Jose DeVega), but Maria says she doesn't love Chino.
The dance at the gym is a rocking affair, but eventually everyone from both gangs arrives and engage in a staredown. As the fuse seems to be about to light, the emcee (John Astin) steps in-between and sets up a "get together" dance where all the boys will get in one circle and surround all the girls in a second circle. Both circles will walk in opposite directions until the music stops, at which point whichever boy and girl are next to each other, they dance with each other. The music starts, everyone goes in circles, the music stops, and all the boys and girls just ignore who they're next to (as most of the combinations would mix the races) and dance with the dates they came with in the first place. Tony arrives during this dance and Riff greets him before going back to dance with his girl. A few moments later, Tony and Maria see each other from opposite sides of the room, and everyone else just falls into the background as they gaze at one another and meet in the center. It's love at first sight and they both say they feel like kindred spirits. It ends with a kiss, but that kiss is interrupted by Bernardo, who shoves Tony away and has Chino take Maria home. Bernardo and Riff agree that both gangs will meet at midnight at Doc's for a "war council" in preparation for a rumble.
Tony walks home singing "Maria", while back at her home, she goes to bed smiling as she thinks of Tony. Bernardo and Anita go to the rooftop with the rest of the Sharks and their girlfriends, and they all get into a battle-of-the-sexes debate about "America". The men all then leave as they head out for the meeting with the Jets, but not before Bernardo and Anita plan for a late-night rendezvous on the rooftop when he returns. Meanwhile, Tony calls in the alley for Maria to come out, and she does so onto her balcony ("Tonight"). Maria tells Tony to meet her at closing time at the bridal shop across the street where she works, and to come in through the back door.
The Jets are all outside waiting for the Sharks. Officer Krupke shows up and tells them all to disperse. After he leaves, the Jets sing "Gee, Officer Krupke" in derisive fashion, then head to Doc's. Doc (Ned Glass) is surprised Tony isn't there. The Sharks arrive and they all sit around a table to agree on terms for the rumble. It will take place tomorrow night after dark under the highway overpass. Tony runs in and tries to tell them all to call it off, especially as Bernardo and Riff argue back and forth as to what weapons will be legal for the fight. Finally, it's agreed that one Shark will fight one Jet man-to-man. Bernardo takes up the challenge and expects to be fighting Tony, and he can't wait for that chance. However, Riff tells Bernardo he'll be fighting their largest guy instead, Ice (Tucker Smith). Schrank shows up and all the guys pretend to hang out, playing cards and chatting and whatnot. Schrank isn't fooled, and he doesn't use any subtlety this time either in telling the Puerto Ricans to head home, which they do after nearly coming to blows with Schrank. Schrank then asks the Jets where the rumble will be, as he knows full well why they're all there tonight. No one talks, angering Schrank further.
Maria is in a great mood at work, and it's almost closing time ("I Feel Pretty"). It's closing time, and the boss leaves. Anita and Maria remain. Maria tells Anita she has a few things she wants to finish, so Anita can leave now and she'll lock up later. Anita makes mention of the rumble happening later, and Maria hates that her brother and the others have to fight like that. Just then, Tony dashes in through the back door. Anita now sees why Maria wanted to stay behind, and she tells Tony he's crazy to be in love with Maria. Anita promises Maria she won't tell Bernardo, but she needs to be home in 15 minutes.
Maria wants Tony to go to the rumble and stop the violence. Tony at first says it's fine since it's just going to be a one-on-one fistfight, but Maria still doesn't want even that, so Tony says he'll go and put a stop to it. The star-crossed lovers talk about each others families and play dress-up with the merchandise, eventually realizing they're dressed as if they themselves will be getting married ("One Hand, One Heart"). They kiss and both leave for their respective destinations, with Tony promising to come back after he puts a stop to the rumble.
The above video is the "Quintet" number. The Sharks and Jets prepare for battle. Anita prepares for her rendezvous. Tony and Maria prepare for their future. Schrank and Krupke know something's going to happen somewhere and they want to be prepared as well.
Both gangs arrive for the rumble. Just as Bernardo and Ice begin to fight, Tony runs in and tells them all to stop. His attempts to make peace fail, as Bernardo just wants to fight Tony anyway, and he provokes him physically and verbally until finally Tony puts up his fists, only to put them down again. Bernardo chastises him further, even slapping his face, until Riff gets involved and tackles Bernardo. Both gang leaders pull out knives and the fight has now escalated dangerously. Tony is being held back but continues to yell for them to stop. Just as Riff is about to stab Bernardo, Tony breaks free and pulls off Riff. However, Riff breaks free and runs back to Bernardo...only to be stabbed in the stomach. Riff falls dead. Tony then snaps and stabs Bernardo with Riff's knife, and this triggers an all-out brawl with everyone now involved. They all stop when they hear sirens and run off, with Anybodys coming back to get Tony, who stayed behind horrified at what occurred. The cops will eventually arrive and find both gang leaders' bodies.
Maria is on the rooftop waiting for Tony to return. She's surprised to see Chino arrive, looking disheveled. He tells Maria that Tony killed her brother. Maria refuses to believe this but then hears others say the same thing as the gossip spreads throughout the building. Maris runs to her room and begins to cry, and then Tony arrives through the window. She at first is angry, but then Tony tells her the full story of how everything transpired. Tony and Maria agree to meet up later and run away together ("Somewhere").
Jet member Baby John (Eliot Feld) is on a rooftop crying, upset about what happened. He's joined by Ice, who calms him down and tells him everything will be fine. They go down to the street where the rest of the gang is. A debate ensues amongst themselves about whether or not to seek revenge for Riff's killing, until Ice takes control and tells them to just stay "Cool". Anybodys shows up and says they need to find Tony ASAP, as word on the street is that Chino has a bullet ready with Tony's name on it. They all run off to find him, with Ice telling Anybodys that she is indeed a true Jet.
Tony and Maria are asleep in her bed, and they are stirred awake when Anita returns to the house. Anita knocks on Maria's locked door and can hear the whispers as the couple plan to meet later. Tony goes out through the window and Maria opens the door. Anita immediately looks out the window and sees Tony running down the street. While they're both upset about Bernardo's death ("A Boy Like That"), they both know that this gang war has no winners. Anita tells Maria that Chino is out to get Tony. Maria plans to go to Doc's to warn him, but Schrank shows up to question Maria. Maria speaks in code and asks Anita to go to Doc's to pick up the item as she's been detained. Anita leaves and Maria lies to Schrank in response to his questions about the boy she was dancing with at the recital.
Anita arrives at Doc's. The place is full of Jets, and they're none to happy to see her there, knowing that her brother killed Riff. They rough up Anita and attempt to assault her, but Doc comes from downstairs and breaks it up. Anita is incensed and says her brother was right about all of them being animals. She then decides she doesn't want Maria associating with Tony either so she fibs to them that Chino shot Maria dead when he found out she was seeing Tony. Anita then leaves. Doc has had enough and kicks all the Jets out. He then goes back downstairs, where Tony has been all this time. He tells Tony that Maria is dead, shot by Chino. Tony runs upstairs and out the door, through the streets calling for Chino to come and get him next. After a minute of this, Tony looks and sees Maria in the distance. He's elated, as is she, and the two of them start running towards one another, but just as they meet, Chino steps out of the shadows and shoots Tony, who falls to the ground in Maria's arms. The rest of the Sharks and Jets arrive as Maria sings to Tony, trying to tell him they'll still have their future, but unfortunately Tony dies. The gangs are about to brawl but Maria screams for them all to stop. She then picks up Chino's gun and says now SHE feels hate, and doesn't care who she kills since that's all they seem to know, plus she'll still have one bullet left for herself. She blames them all for the killings of Riff and Bernardo and Tony. Eventually she calms down and goes back to Tony, kissing him one final time. Schrank and Krupke arrive. The Sharks and Jets join together in carrying Tony's body away, all now realizing the gang war has led to nothing but tragedy for everyone. Chino is arrested, leaving with Schrank and Krupke.
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Robert Wise was the first tabbed to direct the film, but having no movie musical directing experience, he asked for Jerome Robbins to handle the musical aspects of directing since Robbins did so for the stage version. Robbins ultimately was fired by the producers since the film was over budget and over schedule, but Wise insisted that Robbins still get a co-director credit for all the work he and his assistants put into the final product.....Elvis Presley was approached to play Tony, but his business manager Colonel Tom Parker didn't think the role was appropriate for Elvis's reputation. Years later, Elvis said he regretted passing on this one. Bobby Darin, Burt Reynolds and Warren Beatty were also considered.....As far as Maria, such actresses as Jill St. John, Valerie Harper and Audrey Hepburn all lobbied for the part. Hepburn actually was offered it, but by the time that offer came she was pregnant, so she turned it down....The original soundtrack release spent a total of seven non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 Album Chart in 1962.....Most of Natalie Wood's singing was overdubbed by Marni Nixon, and most of Richard Beymer's by Jimmy Bryant. Several other characters also saw parts of their songs overdubbed by others, even Rita Moreno, who couldn't hit the lowest notes of "A Boy Like That". Many of the original singing voices can be heard on current DVD/Blu-Ray releases amongst the special features.....In the stage version, "America" is sung just by the women, but Robbins decided to change it to both genders for the film, a change that Moreno says made the song and its story work even better.....John Astin, who portrays the dance emcee, is one of several uncredited actors in the film. Others include Elaine Joyce (a dancer) and Kit Culkin, father of Macauley (teen who retrieves a basketball from Riff in the film's opening minutes).....Steven Spielberg desires to remake this film. I desire for him to cease and desist such nonsensical desires immediately.
West Side Story was an Oscars juggernaut, garnering a whopping 11 nominations and winning 10 of them, the most for any movie musical in history. The lone loss was for Adapted Screenplay (Lehman was defeated by Abby Mann's Judgment at Nuremberg). Wins came for Color Art/Set Direction, Color Costume Design, Color Cinematography, Sound, Film Editing, Original Score, Supporting Actress (Moreno), Supporting Actor (Chakiris), Director (Wise and Robbins) and Best Picture. The top prize was won over Fanny, The Guns of Navarone, The Hustler and Judgment at Nuremberg. Wise and Robbins were the first co-directors to win their category. It's only happened one other time since then (Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country For Old Men, 2007). Moreno is one of the few on the list of career EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). Chakiris has been long-retired from acting but now has a successful second career in sterling silver jewelry design. Robbins also received an Honorary Oscar for his choreography of the film, which actually means this film received 11 Oscars, but the Honorary award isn't counted officially since it is non-competitive.
If you've been reading this blog series throughout the year, it's no secret to you that I am a fan of movie musicals, and without question West Side Story is absolutely my favorite one. The songs give me chills, and the performances in the film with those songs together just slay me every time. MGM are the production company that were the measuring stick for movie musicals in their heyday. MGM owns this one now, but the initial production was from United Artists, and in my book, it's not MGM but UA that made the greatest movie musical of all time. If movie musicals are new to you, and you want to check one out to see if they're your cup of tea, there is no better film to start with than West Side Story.
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