# West Side Story: The Jets, the Sharks, and the Making of a Classic - Hardcover

by **Richard Barrios** (Author), **Turner Classic Movies** (Author)

**A captivating, richly illustrated full account of the making of the ground-breaking movie classic** _**West Side Story**_ **(1961).**

A major hit on Broadway, on film _West Side Story_ became immortal-a movie different from anything that had come before, but this cinematic victory came at a price. In this engrossing volume, film historian Richard Barrios recounts how the drama and rivalries seen onscreen played out to equal intensity behind-the-scenes, while still achieving extraordinary artistic feats.

The making and impact of _West Side Story_ has so far been recounted only in vestiges. In the pages of this book, the backstage tale comes to life along with insight on what has made the film a favorite across six decades: its brilliant use of dance as staged by erstwhile co-director Jerome Robbins; a meaningful story, as set to Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's soundtrack; the performances of a youthful ensemble cast featuring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and more; a film with Shakespearean roots (_Romeo and Juliet_) that is simultaneously timeless and current. _West Side Story_ was a triumph that appeared to be very much of its time; over the years it has shown itself to be eternal.

### Author Biography

**Richard Barrios** is the author of the award-winning _A Song in the Dark: The Birth of the Musical Film_, _Screened Out: Playing Gay in Hollywood from Edison to Stonewall_, and _Turner Classic Movies: Must-See Musicals_. He has presented films at the Smithsonian Institute and the Film Forum; appeared in documentary films; and contributed audio commentaries to numerous DVD and Blu-Ray releases. Barrios lives in Beverly, New Jersey.

**Turner Classic Movies** is the definitive resource for the greatest movies of all time. We entertain and enlighten to show how the entire spectrum of classic movies, movie history, and movie-making touches us all and influences how we think and live today.

**Number of Pages:** 232

**Dimensions:** 1.1 x 9 x 7.1 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** June 30, 2020

## Details

- **Price:** 28.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 28.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- West Side Story: The Jets, the Sharks, and the Making of a Classic - Hardcover

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