tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post9200776102115530506..comments2024-03-23T21:46:50.843-04:00Comments on the passionate moviegoer: more blasphemy!joe baltakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-77150371982447024312017-07-09T11:00:43.809-04:002017-07-09T11:00:43.809-04:00GuiltyGuiltyjoe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-2364973844807483762017-07-09T10:57:08.188-04:002017-07-09T10:57:08.188-04:00Hi, Joe. One of your old readers (and fans) from S...Hi, Joe. One of your old readers (and fans) from Sacramento. I recall you once referring to Marni Nixon as "the bane of movie musicals" or something like that. Am I correct?Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-55342853860827008792017-07-08T14:47:22.421-04:002017-07-08T14:47:22.421-04:00True, Ray, they won. But WSS had a landslide, Osca...True, Ray, they won. But WSS had a landslide, Oscar-wise, that year. It won, all but one, of the Oscars for which it was nominated. It was the popular film of the year. Those awards belonged to Judy Garland and Montgomery Clift for their work in "Judgment at Nuremberg."joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-17412213485648616072017-07-08T14:43:24.381-04:002017-07-08T14:43:24.381-04:00Excuse me, but didn't Rita Moreno and George C...Excuse me, but didn't Rita Moreno and George Chakiris win Oscars for their performance?Ray K.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-63890746680989514522017-07-04T08:59:29.788-04:002017-07-04T08:59:29.788-04:00Again, Joe, terrific comments and analysis. Again, Joe, terrific comments and analysis. Marilyn Halprinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-14311049764797704492017-07-04T08:49:24.220-04:002017-07-04T08:49:24.220-04:00Joe: The older actors are much worse in West Side ...Joe: The older actors are much worse in West Side Story - Ned Glass, Simon Oakland and the actor who plays Officer Kupke (sp?). The acting all around leaves much to be desired.Peter Warnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-58324833060439652072017-07-04T08:45:17.666-04:002017-07-04T08:45:17.666-04:00What can I say, Joe, BUT THAT GREAT MINDS THINK AL...What can I say, Joe, BUT THAT GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE?!? I loved your column about WEST SIDE STORY today. MarvinMarvinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-52233066704464633682017-07-03T17:56:41.955-04:002017-07-03T17:56:41.955-04:00I like your comparison of stage to film. It expla...I like your comparison of stage to film. It explains why so many plays, hits on stage, strike out as movies. I'm thinking specifically of the Neil Simon comedies that followed "Barefoot in the Park" and "The Odd Couple," both as successful on film and on the Broadway stage. The others are a dim memory. Who remembers "I Ought to Be in Pictures" and "Only When I Laugh" or "Last of the Red-Hot Lovers"?Michael Neffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-28811474419755772722017-07-03T15:59:31.746-04:002017-07-03T15:59:31.746-04:00It should be noted, Joe, that Arthur Laurents was ...It should be noted, Joe, that Arthur Laurents was no fan of WSS. Of course, he was critical of all adaptations of his work if he wasn't directly involved himself and that includes the films "Summertime" and "Gypsy," both also based on his stage work. I guess he liked the film "The Way We Were" because he wrote the original screenplay. It's not very good but it sure is popular. I get the impression that he was impossible to please if not just plain impossible.Brian Lucasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-38024218576817882192017-07-03T14:07:40.741-04:002017-07-03T14:07:40.741-04:00I know that musicals are all about the music and t...I know that musicals are all about the music and there's no argument that West Side Story has great music. But sometimes that's not enough because, as you say, the camera misses nothing. If Spielberg does remake the movie, I hope he overhauls the script to make its message as powerful as it should be.Tim K.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-90258168333609160522017-07-03T13:54:09.485-04:002017-07-03T13:54:09.485-04:00Joe! First "Breakfast at Tiffany's."...Joe! First "Breakfast at Tiffany's." And now "West Side Story." Don't be surprised if the Turner Classic fans come after you!Sheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-72547162951644494462017-07-03T13:29:56.602-04:002017-07-03T13:29:56.602-04:00What can you expect? WSS was written by middle-age...What can you expect? WSS was written by middle-aged men, most of them gay. How can you realistically expect any accuracy about teenage gang members?Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-28521267811792364482017-07-03T13:22:03.250-04:002017-07-03T13:22:03.250-04:00There for a while Steven Spielberg talked about re...There for a while Steven Spielberg talked about remaking the film. That would be interesting, particularly if he cast age-appropriate performers. There a lot of young talent out there, multifaceted, who could make it work. I agree with Charlotte, it's difficult to watch mature actors play teenagers. Ugh!Denise Rnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-32725178498649709762017-07-03T12:41:15.934-04:002017-07-03T12:41:15.934-04:00I agree about the ages of the movie's performe...I agree about the ages of the movie's performers, but I don't think Rita Moreno's character is supposed to be a teenager. I see her character as being in her early 20s. Still, casting a 30-year-old was pushing it.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-74990149464200734792017-07-03T12:33:12.532-04:002017-07-03T12:33:12.532-04:00Excellent! But you fail to note how most of the ac...Excellent! But you fail to note how most of the actors in the film are just too old to play gang members who are teens or thereabout. I think Rita Moreno was 30 when she made the film. Charlottenoreply@blogger.com