West Side Story

NORBY WALTERS: THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

We just heard that Norby Walters died at 91- he was a successful music agent from New York who threw those fabulous Night of 100 Stars Oscar parties at the Beverly Hills Hotel every year. As the Star Magazine gossip columnist, this was a party I never missed. Celebrities – many of them classic old time movie stars – all turned up – and they were friendly, talkative, and VERY accessible. We recall Mamie Van Doran looking ultra-glamorous, but the biggest thrill for me was meeting George Chakiris from West Side Story. Remember – he played the hot Puerto Rican gang member in the purple shirt (and he could DANCE!) George was sweet and I told him his movie character had changed my life. As a Chicago teen I had never even MET a Puerto Rican, so I vowed to go to New York someday and look for a boyfriend like George’s character Bernardo. (Yes, I did, but my bf looked more like Jimi Hendrix, which was fine.) George laughed at my story and he was a pleasure to meet. Thanks to Norby Walters, a dream of mine came true!

Photo; West Side Story- Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris

By Janet / January 2, 2024

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Ansel Elgort West Side Story

ANSEL ELGORT: THE LONGEST NECK IN HOLLYWOOD?

It takes one to know one. We have always felt we had an oddly long neck so its nice to see a handsome guy in the same situation. Ansel Elgort is currently promoting his starring role as Tony in West Side Story so his long neck is certainly not getting in his way. The Baby Driver star is 6’3” but we’re pretty sure that neck is adding considerably to his height. He makes long necks look appealing…

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA,

By Janet / December 7, 2021

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Rita Moreno Steven Spielberg West Side Story

RITA MORENO APPROVES OF SPIELBERG’S REMAKE OF WEST SIDE STORY

Speaking of long careers, let’s not overlook Rita Moreno, 89, who won an Oscar for her 1961 performance as Anita in West Side Story (of course she went on to win an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony too, for various projects.) A documentary of Rita’s life showed at Sundance this year and it includes a sordid but juicy story about her affair with Marlon Brando. In the 90’s, we used to run into Rita every time a cool shop on Sunset Strip had a sale on Martin Margiela clothing – luckily we weren’t the same size. A special role was written for her in Steven Spielberg’s new version of West Side Story, and surprisingly, she loves the new version. We cannot imagine remaking a perfect movie (for better or worse, the film inspired us to have a lifelong obsession with Hispanic men.)

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

By Janet / January 29, 2021

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"The Man With The Iron Fist" Ansel Elgort Longest Neck Miley Cyrus West Side Story

DOES ANSEL ELGORT HAVE THE LONGEST NECK IN HOLLYWOOD?

Baby Driver star Ansel Elgort turned up for the Tom Ford show at NY Fashion Week, but he wasn’t WITH Miley Cyrus. Actually she was at the show too and they just got together to pose for some photos. Ansel, 25, has a long-time girlfriend. He’s currently filming the remake of West Side Story – he plays Tony. What we find interesting about Ansel is the length of his neck. We think he’s cute, but he has the longest neck in Hollywood and it gives him a couple extra inches of height. He’s 6’3” and whenever we see him in a suit, his neck looks extra long. Of course, his good posture elongates the whole look. Do you agree?

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

By Janet / September 9, 2019

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George Chakiris Steven Spielberg West Side Story

SPIELBERG’S “WEST SIDE STORY” REMAKE: WE’RE NOT HOLDING OUR BREATH

That’s Steven Spielberg in the Hawaiian shirt directing dancers in his new version of West Side Story- about which we have mixed feelings. The original film was SO wonderful and successful (10 Oscars including Best Picture) in delicious TECHNICOLOR, (for those who remember)- what is the point of a remake? Can anyone ever top Bernardo (George Chakiris) with his pompadour and purple shirt? We have our doubts.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

By Janet / July 13, 2019

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Ansel Elgort Remake West Side Story

WOULD UPDATED VERSION OF WEST SIDE STORY BE A BLOODBATH?

The announcement today that Ansel Elgort has been cast to play Tony in Steven Spielberg’s “updated” version of West Side Story, leads to SO MANY questions! In the original West Side Story, the gangs of disaffected youth were cool but not dangerous, except for an occasional rumble. But NOW the gangs like The Latin Kings or Harlem Crips are psychopathic criminals capable of unthinkable violence! Is there any room for a sweet romance? Personally, we fell in love with slick Bernardo in the original film and haven’t lost our taste for Latinos. We never forgot him in that purple shirt and black shiny hair at the big dance. Who could play THIS key role? Any suggestions? Is this remake an awful idea?

Photo: George Chakiris as Bernardo and the Sharks

By Janet / October 1, 2018

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George Chakiris Steven Speilberg West Side Story

WHEN YOU’RE A JET, YOU’RE A JET ALL THE WAY, FROM YOUR FIRST CIGARETTE, TO YOUR LAST DYING DAY…

Don’t know WHAT to think about the news that Steven Spielberg is planning to film a remake of West Side Story. The original was SO colorful and fabulous. We will never forget that life-changing moment when George “Bernardo” Chakiris, in that purple shirt, and great posture, appeared at the big dance. It resulted in a lifetime attraction to Latinos in purple shirts. Years later we met George and he still had that dancer’s physique. Very nice man. What can Steven Spielberg possibly have in mind that will improve this movie? We’ll try to keep an open mind… (Above, George Chakiris and Natalie Wood)

By Janet / March 6, 2014

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