Film Friday: West Side Story (1961)
To celebrate Natalie Wood's 78th birthday, which was on Wednesday, this week on «Film Friday» I bring one of the films that she is best remembered for. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, West Side Story (1961) revolves around the tensions between the Jets, a self-styled «American» gang, and the Sharks, a group of young Puerto Ricans. The leader of the Jets, Riff (Russ Tamblyn), swears to drive the Sharks, led by Bernardo (George Chakiris), from the streets of the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Despite warnings from Lieutenant Schrank (Simon Oakland) and Office Krupke (William Bramley), Riff decides to challenge Bernardo to a rumble that night at a dance at the gym. For support, Riff turns to Tony (Richard Beymer), a young Polish-American boy and co-founder of the Jets who now works at a drugstore owned by Doc (Ned Glass). Tony, who has lost interest in promoting violence, reluctantly agrees to accompany Riff out of friendship. Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, G...