# Rita Moreno signed for Steven Spielberg's remake of "West Side Story" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 28, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205 "2018-11-28T14:26:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/21 "2018-11-28T18:54:10Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The basic plot is Romeo and Juliet which was already old when Shakespeare used it. I’m sure Spielberg can figure out two groups who can plausibly be portrayed as hating each other for a contemporary remake. Hell, just put her family in MAGA hats and make his family Bernie bros. By “the original” I meant the original musical West Side Story, not the original pre-Shakespeare story. Finding opposing groups is the least of their problems with this, if they are trying to update the musical into the present day. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/22 "2018-11-28T19:55:22Z")
It’s gonna be weird watching MS-13 and the Aryan Brotherhood square off at the school dance. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/23 "2018-11-28T20:28:56Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Next up: a remake of Oklahoma!, starring Kanye West and a Kardashian. There’s already been a remake of _Oklahoma!_, with Hugh Jackman, although it was pretty much just a recording of a West End stage version. It got moved to Broadway, but Jackman wasn’t allowed to be in it (this was pretty much his first major role, before he was ever Wolverine); the cast thought it would get to do the first month on Broadway, but the excuse they were given was, the producers didn’t want to deny the “intended” American cast a chance at Tonys because the rules say that you have to be scheduled to be in the opening night cast to be eligible for an acting Tony. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/24 "2018-11-28T20:58:26Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Doc. > > They’re apparently going to expand the character’s role in the movie. Doesn’t Doc replace the priest in R&J? He tells Tony that Maria is dead, like the priest tells Romeo that Juliet is dead. Only it turns out to be wrong. Will it be a period piece or updated? Gangs today trade in drugs and weapons, and I can’t see a modern gang wringing their hands over whether or not to bring a gun to a rumble. There’d just be a drive by and we’d be done by the end of Act One. Still, it’s Spielberg, so I think we can trust him. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/25 "2018-11-28T21:40:59Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > It’s gonna be weird watching MS-13 and the Aryan Brotherhood square off at the school dance. With walkie-talkies. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/26 "2018-11-28T21:44:48Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > With walkie-talkies. Not iPhones? ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/27 "2018-11-28T23:18:52Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > It might suck. It might be great. I’m leaning towards the former. The issue with modern film musicals is they usually just cast big names rather than people that actually sing and dance professionally. La La Land was painful, and I’ve got nothing against Gosling or Stone. Yeah, the original movie cast Natalie Wood, but she held her own on the singing and pretty much avoided dancing. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/28 "2018-11-28T23:25:47Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > I’m leaning towards the former. The issue with modern film musicals is they usually just cast big names rather than people that actually sing and dance professionally. La La Land was painful, and I’ve got nothing against Gosling or Stone. > > Yeah, the original movie cast Natalie Wood, but she held her own on the singing and pretty much avoided dancing. Actually Natalie did little of her own singing, I believe it was Marni Nixon. Not a big fan of Marni, but that is who you heard. Same one who ruinously did _My Fair Lady_ dubbing for Audrey. Oh, I also thought _La La Land_ was a grossly over-rated movie. And I like Stone, though not Gosling so much. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/29 "2018-11-28T23:33:14Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > The original is very much of its time; the gang problems of late 1950s Manhattan seem quaint nowadays, with almost no mention of drugs, and no guns. Yes, the degree of gang violence that people found extremely troubling then would be regarded as a minor scuffle in later decades. Bringing a gun to a rumble was the equivalent of going nuclear when everyone else was using switchblades, pipes, and chains. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/30 "2018-11-28T23:39:59Z")
I just saw a road show of West Side Story that was pretty true to the film and play. One of the best live plays I’ve ever seen. I hope this new version works. They need to keep the score as much as possible; otherwise it’s not West Side Story. Even Alice Cooper paid big credit to the score on _ **Schools Out.** _ ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/31 "2018-11-28T23:50:02Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Actually Natalie did little of her own singing, I believe it was Marni Nixon. Not a big fan of Marni, but that is who you heard. Same one who ruinously did _My Fair Lady_ dubbing for Audrey. I’m curious about your comments on Nixon’s dubbing. Why was it “ruinous”? Neither Wood nor Hepburn could carry a tune in a bucket, and Nixon was an accomplished singer with tons of accolades. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/32 "2018-11-28T23:54:03Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I’m curious about your comments on Nixon’s dubbing. Why was it “ruinous”? Neither Wood nor Hepburn could carry a tune in a bucket, and Nixon was an accomplished singer with tons of accolades. I thought she was good enough in West Side Story, but Audrey had a much sweeter voice than Nixon. Listen to Moon River or Audrey’s Wouldn’t it be Luvly if you don’t believe me. I found Nixon’s style and voice to be without sweetness or emotion and a pale attempt at the great Julie Andrews. Technically Nixon was fine, but something major was missing. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/33 "2018-12-01T01:13:56Z")
Terrible audio/video quality here, but anybody remember _In Living Color’s_ “remake”, “Crown Heights Story”? [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFAijTpQ07Q) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/34 "2018-12-01T04:31:04Z")
MS-13 member falls in love with a leftist millennial attending NYU. The dancing & singing scenes will be to die for. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rough\_Draft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rough\_Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rough_Draft)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/35 "2018-12-01T04:53:16Z")
It’s hard for me to imagine the remake working if it’s set in the present day. Maybe it’ll be a period piece, set in the 1950s like the other versions. Or even earlier, in the Civil War era, like Scorsese’s _Gangs of New York_. I wonder if Daniel Day-Lewis would be available for the role of Officer Krupke? But then again, I’m no Spielberg. Or so my friends tell me. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/36 "2018-12-01T05:00:42Z")
From what I’ve read, the new movie is going to be set in the late 1950s, as was the original Broadway production. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/37 "2018-12-01T05:52:42Z")
Even set in the 1950’s. I can’t see romanticizing gang members working. The public is too aware of gang violence, drug use, and crime. The 1950’s gangs were just as violent as today. They just used improvised weapons instead of todays high tech guns. I like the original movie but it requires a big suspension of disbelief. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/38 "2018-12-01T06:42:16Z")
[quote=“Mister\_Rik, post:33, topic:825205”] Terrible audio/video quality here, but anybody remember _In Living Color’s_ “remake”, “Crown Heights Story”? [/QUOTE] The best parody was done by _Mad_ magazine in 1963: _East Side Story_ where they rethemed the movie as [communists](https://learnedleague.com/mini/allusions/m12q11.png) (led by Khrushchev) vs [westerners](https://www.madcoversite.com/sung078.jpg) (led by Kennedy) ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/39 "2018-12-01T15:10:34Z")
I thought I read years ago that Officer Krupke had been removed, but I saw a production a couple of months ago and the song was in. Am I misremembering? Something about it being politically incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/40 "2018-12-01T16:58:29Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > I thought I read years ago that Officer Krupke had been removed, but I saw a production a couple of months ago and the song was in. Am I misremembering? Something about it being politically incorrect. The song was left in, but some of the lyrics were changed to pass muster with the censors. IIRC, it went from_Dear kindly social worker They say, “Go earn some dough,” Like be a soda jerker Which means I’d be a schmoe.toDear kindly social worker They say, “Go get a job,” Like be a soda jerker Which means I’d be a slob._ Similarly, in the ensemble reprise of _Tonight_, Anita’s part went from_He’ll walk in hot and tired, so what? No matter if he’s tired, as long as he’s hot.toHe’ll walk in hot and tired, poor dear. No matter if he’s tired, as long as he’s here._ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205.md?page=3)