Where to watch West Side Story (1961)

Trivia & production notes

• Jerome Robbins, who directed and choreographed the original stage musical, had never made a film before, so Robert Wise was hired as co-director to handle the dramatic elements while Robbins focused on the musical sequences.
• After 45 days of shooting under Jerome Robbins's direction, the film was 24 days behind schedule and over budget, leading producers to dismiss him; however, Wise later gave Robbins co-directing credit in recognition of his creative contributions.
• Elvis Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker rejected the role of Tony on behalf of the singer when it was offered to him.
• Richard Beymer was cast as Tony despite having no background in singing or dancing.
• Natalie Wood was discovered for the role of Maria only after producers saw her in a scene from Splendor in the Grass while evaluating Warren Beatty for the role of Tony; they decided Wood was perfect for Maria but Beatty was not right for Tony.
• Carol Lawrence, who originated the role of Maria on Broadway at age 29, was rejected for the film version after her screen test because producers felt she was too old for the part.
• Saul Bass designed the opening title sequence and end credits, serving as visual consultant for the overture sequence.
• Jerome Robbins and film editor Thomas Stanford worked together during editing to ensure the cuts revealed the characters' emotions, even when it compromised the dancing itself.
• On-location shooting for the opening sequences took place at East 110th Street in Manhattan, now known as Tito Puerte Way, and at West 68th Street, both in New York City.
• Multiple dancers sustained injuries during production, noted by assistant director Robert Relyea as being an unusual number for a film shoot.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article West Side Story (1961 film), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Rewritten for StreamShack; errors are ours — tell us about them.