The bigger problem for me with WSS (the film) is Richard Beymer as Tony is
miscast as the lead who's arguably the most important character. Beymer
himself later admitted he still can't look at himself in that picture; in fact,
in interviews, he said, "I looked like a big fairy up there" -- which in
context, didn't refer to his sexuality -- but to his lament that his character
showed none of the toughness for which the Sharks and the Jets respected,
worshipped and feared. He wished he could do it over again. George Chakiris
and Rita Moreno steal the picture -- (admittedly, those roles are constructed
in a way on film and on stage that whoever plays them -- will alway get the
best of the "showstopping" numbers and the loudest standing "Os" during curtain
calls). -d.
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:18:24 -0700
From: fly...@pacbell.net
Subject: Re: Gertrude Lawrence was not in West Side Story
To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
Also who could forget Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris in that
film. I adored it!
Toochis
From: Susan Heim <filmfantast...@msn.com>
To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 12:46:14 PM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] Gertrude Lawrence was not in West Side Story
I so agree with you Channing. There's an example of the original actor that
should have played in the film version that didn't. Richard Beymer was o.k.,
but not the voice that Larry Kert had. Neither of them were "lookers" if that's
what the studio was looking for. That film has so many wonderful things about
it. It has one of my favorite opening sequences of any film I have ever seen.
Love the title sequences also. I would love to see it on the "big" screen again
one day.
Sue
www.hollywoodposterframes.com
> CC: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
> From: channinglylethom...@worldnet.att.net
> To: filmfantast...@msn.com
> Subject: Re: [MOPO] Gertrude Lawrence was not in West Side Story
> Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:26:34 -0700
>
> The really great thing about the Broadway cast album of WEST SIDE
> STORY is Larry Kert's performance. His singing is amazing and he must
> have been the perfect Tony! I watched the film version on the big
> screen recently and was reminded that the musical scenes were
> absolutely terrific but the dramatic scenes were really turgid. Just
> my opinion, Channing
>
> On Mar 20, 2009, at 12:21 PM, Susan Heim wrote:
>
> > You are right Steve. It was Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert. I've
> > always wondered which soundtrack West Side Story fans like more, the
> > Carol Lawrence version or the Marni Nixon verison? I so love Marni
> > Nixon in her many incarnations, but Carol Lawrence had a beautiful
> > voice.
> >
> >
> > Sue
> > www.hollywoodposterframes.com
> >
> > Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:50:05 -0700
> > From: slsw2...@yahoo.com
> > Subject: [MOPO] Gertrude Lawrence was not in West Side Story
> > To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
> >
> > Okay Joe & Michael,
> >
> > The mistake was obvious. Just a careless slip. The Broadway Maria
> > in West Side Story was played by Carol Lawrence, not Gertrude
> > Lawrence.
> >
> > Gertrude Lawrence was outstanding as Amanda in The Glass Menagerie.
> >
> >
> >
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