In January 1961, the lowest temperature recorded was 14 degrees atop Haleakela in Maui. It may have been cool on the highest peak of this island, but things were heating up in New York where anxious dancers vied for a
In January 1961, the lowest temperature recorded was 14 degrees atop Haleakela in Maui. It may have been cool on the highest peak of this island, but things were heating up in New York where anxious dancers vied for a chance to be in a new musical film.
Little did they know that this motion picture filled with song and dance would later become the Academy Award for Best Picture winner known as “West Side Story.”
This musical film, starring a young Natalie Wood, would later win nine more Oscar statuettes, including one for Rita Moreno for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal as Anita, the fiery girlfriend of Bernardo (George Chakiris), the Puerto Rican teen gang leader.
The movie takes its cues from “Romeo and Juliet,” the model for all doomed romantic legends, the rivalry between two trouble-making teen gangs and the catastrophic outcome in which there are no winners.
The gangs, one American the other Puerto Rican, compete for ownership of the streets of the Upper West Side of New York. Their hate for each other leads to a deadly rumble and a love that never blossomed to its fullest.
The unsuspecting love story unfolds when Maria (Wood), the younger sister of Bernardo, and Tony (Richard Beymer), a former member of the Jets, see each other at a dance. Their love is instantaneous. As they move rhythmically toward one another, time seems to stand still. They share a brief but passionate kiss. Bernardo and Riff (Russ Tamblyn), leader of the Jet gang, witness this exchange. Bernardo scolds Maria and demands Tony stay away from her. Riff and Bernardo exchange angry glares and agree to meet to decide on a day and time of an all-out rumble.
The talk turns violent as the rebels discuss weaponry. Tony, who walks in on the discussion after meeting Maria in secrecy, convinces both sides to fight with fists.
Maria and Tony see each other the next day and Maria begs Tony to stop the fight. He arrives at a highway underpass where Bernardo and another Jet are fist-fighting while the other teens root for their fighter. As Tony tries to stop the them, Bernardo and the other Sharks mock him.
This enrages Riff and suddenly he pulls out a knife. Bernardo follows, and the two are embroiled in a bloody battle. Bernardo stabs Riff to death and in return, Tony stabs Bernardo. Maria and Anita hear about Bernardo’s demise and Tony’s involvement from Chino (Jose De Vega), a close friend and member of the Sharks.Maria confronts Tony who confesses to the altercation. A confused Maria is visibly upset but is calmed by the promise that Tony will take her away. The two agree to meet later that night and leave New York for good.
Maria is temporarily detained by a police officer who questions her about Bernardo. While she is summoned, she gives Anita a cryptic message for Tony who is hiding out in the basement of the drug store where he works. Hesitantly, Anita agrees. When she enters the store, the Jets, who have since congregated their, torture and taunt her.
In anger, she changes her story and tells the remaining Jets that Maria is dead, shot by Chino. Chino does have a gun, but it’s meant for Tony. A brokenhearted Tony wanders the streets for Chino, begging him to end his life. Without Maria, he can no longer go on. Just then Tony sees Maria and as they are briefly reunited, Chino shoots Tony. He dies in Maria’s arms promising his forever love.
This timeless classic has lived and will continue to live on. “West Side Story” has certainly won!
