AMERICAN MOVIE MUSICALS COLLECTION (DVD) DVD

West Side Story
Romeo and Juliet is updated to the tenements of New York City in this Oscar-winning musical landmark. Adapted by Ernest Lehman from the Broadway production, the movie opens with an overhead shot of Manhattan, an effect that director Robert Wise would repeat over the Alps in The Sound of Music four years later. We are introduced to two rival street gangs: the Jets, second-generation American teens, and the Sharks, Puerto Rican immigrants. When the war between the Jets and Sharks reaches a fever pitch, Jets leader Riff (Russ Tamblyn) decides to challenge the Sharks to one last "winner take all" rumble. He decides to meet Sharks leader Bernardo (George Chakiris) for a war council at a gymnasium dance; to bolster his argument, Riff wants his old pal Tony (Richard Beymer), the cofounder of the Jets, to come along. But Tony has set his sights on vistas beyond the neighborhood and has fallen in love with Bernardo's sister, Maria (Natalie Wood), a love that, as in Romeo and Juliet, will eventually end in tragedy. In contrast to the usual slash-and-burn policy of Hollywood musical adaptations, all the songs written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim for the original Broadway production of West Side Story were retained for the film version, although some alterations were made to appease the Hollywood censors, and the original order of two songs was reversed for stronger dramatic impact. The movie more than retains the original choreography of Jerome Robbins, which is recreated in some of the most startling and balletic dance sequences ever recorded on film. West Side Story won an almost-record ten Oscars, including Best Picture, supporting awards to Chakiris and Rita Moreno as Bernardo's girlfriend, Anita, and Best Director to Robbins and Wise. Richard Beymer's singing was dubbed by Jimmy Bryant, Natalie Wood's by Marni Nixon (who also dubbed Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady), and Rita Moreno's by Betty Wand. The film's New York tenement locations were later razed to make room for Lincoln Center. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Guys and Dolls
This 1955 film began life as two Runyon short stories, the most prominent of which was "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown." This material was fleshed out into a 2-act libretto by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, then set to music by Frank Loesser and directed by George S. Kaufman. Opening late in 1950, Guys and Dolls was one of Broadway's hottest tickets for several seasons. The plot involves a certain Broadway citizen by the name of Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra), who maintains the "Oldest Established Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York." Seeking a location for his latest high-stakes game, Nathan has an opportunity to rent out the Biltmore Garage, but he needs $1000 to do so. He decides to extract the money from high-rolling Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando), known for his willingness to bet on anything. Nathan wagers that Sky will not be able to talk the virginal Salvation Army lass Sarah Brown (Jean Simmons) into going on a date with him. While Sky goes to work on Sarah, Nathan endeavors to fend off his girlfriend Miss Adelaide (Vivian Blaine, repeating her Broadway role), who has developed a psychosomatic cold because of her frustrating 14-year engagement to the slippery Mr. Detroit. Thanks to some fast finagling, Sky is able to take Sarah on that date, flying to Havana for this purpose. By the time they've returned to New York, Sky and Sarah are in love, but their ardor cools off abruptly when Nathan, unable to secure the Biltmore garage, attempts to use Sarah's mission as the site of his crap game. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fiddler on the Roof
Norman Jewison's adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical is set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka (the film was actually lensed in Yugoslavia). Israeli actor Topol repeats his London stage role as Tevye the milkman, whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty, the prejudicial attitudes of non-Jews, and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Whenever the weight of the world becomes too much for him, Tevye carries on lengthy conversations with God, who does not answer but is at least more willing to listen than the milkman's remonstrative wife Golde. After arranging a marriage between his oldest daughter Tzeitel and wealthy butcher Lazar Wolf, Tevye is forced to do some quick rearranging when the girl falls in love with poor tailor Motel Kamzoil. Fancying himself more broad-minded than his gentile oppressors, Tevye cannot accept the notion that his other daughter Chava would want to marry Fyedka, a non-Jew. And after shouting the praises of "tradition," Tevye must change his tune-and his entire life-when he and his neighbors are forced out of Anatevka by the Czar's minions. Topol's co-stars include Norma Crane as Golde, Yiddish theater legend Molly Picon as Yente the matchmaker, and Leonard Frey as Motel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Natalie Wood as Maria Richard Beymer as Tony Russ Tamblyn as Riff Rita Moreno as Anita George Chakiris as Bernardo Simon Oakland as Lt. Schrank William Bramley as Officer Krupke Ned Glass as Doc John Astin as Glad Hand, social worker Penny Santon as Madam Lucia Jose de Vega as Chino Jay Norman as Pepe Gus Trikonis as Indio Robert Thompson as Luis Larry Roquemore as Rocco Eddie Verso as Juano Andre Tayir as Chile Tucker Smith as Ice Tony Mordente as Action Eliot Feld as Baby John David Winters as A-Rab Bert Michaels as Snowboy Robert Banas as Joyboy Anthony Teague as Big Deal Thomas Abbott as Gee-Tar David Bean as Tiger Sue Oakes as Anybody Gina Trikonis as Graziella Carole D'Andrea as Velma Yvonne Othon as Consuelo Suzie Kaye as Rosalia [The Sharks] Joanna Miya as Francisca Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson Jean Simmons as Sarah Brown Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit Vivian Blaine as Miss Adelaide Robert Keith as Lt. Brannigan Stubby Kaye as Nicely-Nicely Johnson B.S. Pully as Big Jule Johnny Silver as Benny Southstreet Sheldon Leonard as Harry the Horse Danny Dayton as Rusty Charlie George E. Stone as Society Max Regis Toomey as Arvide Abernathy Kathryn Givney as General Cartwright Veda Ann Borg as Laverne Mary Alan Hokanson as Agatha Joe McTurk as Angie the Ox Kay Kuter as Calvin Stapleton Kent as Mission Member John Indrisano as Liverlips Louis Earl Hodgins as Pitchman Harry Tyler as Max, Waiter at Mindy's Topol as Tevye Norma Crane as Golde Leonard Frey as Motel Molly Picon as Yente Paul Mann as Lazar Wolf Rosalind Harris as Tzeitel

Crew Patrick Palmer - Associate Producer Thomas Abbott - Choreography Jerome Robbins - Choreography Sammy Bayes - Choreography John Williams - Conductor Elizabeth Haffenden - Costume Designer Joan Bridge - Costume Designer Terry Nelson - First Assistant Director Norman Jewison - Director Antony Gibbs - Editor Robert Lawrence - Editor Jerry Bock - Composer (Music Score) John Williams - Musical Arrangement Sheldon Harnick - Songwriter Wally Schneiderman - Makeup Robert F. Boyle - Production Designer Michael Stringer - Production Designer Oswald Morris - Cinematographer Harold Prince - Producer Norman Jewison - Producer Peter Lamont - Set Designer Michael Stringer - Set Designer Arnold Perl - Screen Story Joseph Stein - Screenwriter Sholom Aleichem - Book Author Eric James - Vocal Coach Sheldon Harnick - Lyricist Joseph Stein - Book (Musical) Patrick Palmer - Associate Producer Thomas Abbott - Choreography Jerome Robbins - Choreography Sammy Bayes - Choreography John Williams - Conductor Elizabeth Haffenden - Costume Designer Joan Bridge - Costume Designer Terry Nelson - First Assistant Director Norman Jewison - Director Antony Gibbs - Editor Robert Lawrence - Editor Jerry Bock - Composer (Music Score) John Williams - Musical Arrangement Sheldon Harnick - Songwriter Wally Schneiderman - Makeup Robert F. Boyle - Production Designer Michael Stringer - Production Designer Oswald Morris - Cinematographer Harold Prince - Producer Norman Jewison - Producer Peter Lamont - Set Designer Michael Stringer - Set Designer Arnold Perl - Screen Story Joseph Stein - Screenwriter Sholom Aleichem - Book Author Eric James - Vocal Coach Sheldon Harnick - Lyricist Joseph Stein - Book (Musical) Patrick Palmer - Associate Producer Thomas Abbott - Choreography Jerome Robbins - Choreography Sammy Bayes - Choreography John Williams - Conductor Elizabeth Haffenden - Costume Designer Joan Bridge - Costume Designer Terry Nelson - First Assistant Director Norman Jewison - Director Antony Gibbs - Editor Robert Lawrence - Editor Jerry Bock - Composer (Music Score) John Williams - Musical Arrangement Sheldon Harnick - Songwriter Wally Schneiderman - Makeup Robert F. Boyle - Production Designer Michael Stringer - Production Designer Oswald Morris - Cinematographer Harold Prince - Producer Norman Jewison - Producer Peter Lamont - Set Designer Michael Stringer - Set Designer Arnold Perl - Screen Story Joseph Stein - Screenwriter Sholom Aleichem - Book Author Eric James - Vocal Coach Sheldon Harnick - Lyricist Joseph Stein - Book (Musical)

West Side Story
West Side Story is remarkable for its seamless transference from stage musical to screen classic, with the complete Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim song score intact, as well as the choreography of Jerome Robbins. The story, derived from Romeo and Juliet, works on a symbolic rather than realistic level; there is no pretense that this is a true representation of what New York City gangs were like circa 1960. Veteran director Robert Wise is probably the person most responsible for the film's success, and for retaining the best qualities of the stage production, though co-director Robbins, who feuded with Wise throughout the production, would likely disagree. After several weeks of delayed production due to Robbins' insistence on extra rehearsals, Wise tired of the Broadway legend and had him removed from the set. West Side Story swept the Oscars, taking ten awards, including awards for Best Picture and its decidedly non-cordial co-directors. The Academy gave a special choreography award to Robbins, who thanked a great many people in his acceptance speech, noticeably failing to mention Wise. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide
 

Guys and Dolls
Frank Sinatra, who had lost the starring role in On the Waterfront to Marlon Brando the year before, was irate over losing the Sky Masterson role, for which he believed he was better suited. He was probably right. Joseph Mankiewicz's screen version of the classic musical is solid entertainment, but doesn't nearly rise to the heights of its stage source. Damon Runyon's highly stylized version of the New York 1920s demimonde of gamblers, touts, and bookies is the setting for this tale of the reluctant reform of two of their number. As a writer, Mankiewicz knew enough to use the show's book almost in its entirety, and the dialogue is still as sharp as ever. But as a director, his lack of visual flair was always a drawback in his non-musicals, and in a show like this, it's truly deadly. The camera movements have no fluidity, the groupings are unimaginative, and the mise-en-scène is flat. The sets are so overlit that one expects a helicopter to land at any moment. Sinatra, possibly resentful over being cast as Nathan, seems to have phoned his part in. Although Brando may be a bit closer to the mark as Sky, one might wish that MGM had not prevented Gene Kelly from performing in the role which he also coveted. Still, there is much to enjoy in the film, especially the outstanding score, which seems not to contain a bad song. And in numbers like "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat", "Luck Be a Lady" and "Fugue for Tinhorns", it's as good as the best musicals ever made. ~ Michael Costello, All Movie Guide
 

Fiddler on the Roof
Spirited, funny, and deeply affecting, 1971's Fiddler on the Roof is a successful adaptation of its stage counterpart. Topol makes the transition from the London stage production with ease, and the supporting performances are similarly strong. Most crucial, however, is the quality of the big set pieces: gorgeously staged and musically flawless, the joyous "Tradition" and the tear-inducing "Sunrise, Sunset" leap from the screen. Director Norman Jewison makes full use of the advantages of film; thanks to the rich, on-location scenery, the material doesn't feel as if it's been subjected to a quick big-screen makeover. Fiddler was a huge success -- it was the second highest-grossing movie of the year (after The Godfather) and took home Oscars for cinematography, sound, and score. Without a doubt, it's much more sentimental than the New Hollywood films that dominated the era, but it never hits a false note. ~ Matthew Doberman, All Movie Guide
 

Disc Title: West Side Story - People Awards: Boris Leven: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (winner) Daniel L. Fapp: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Cinematography (winner) Ernest Lehman: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Adapted Screenplay (nominated) Fred Hynes: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Sound (winner) George Chakiris: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (winner) George Chakiris: Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (winner) Gordon Sawyer: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Sound (winner) Irene Sharaff: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Costume Design (winner) Irwin Kostal: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Musical Score (winner) Jerome Robbins: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Director (winner) Jerome Robbins: Golden Globe, Best Director (nominated) Johnny Green: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Musical Score (winner) Richard Beymer: Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Com (nominated) Rita Moreno: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Supporting Actress (winner) Rita Moreno: Golden Globe, Best Supporting Actress (winner) Robert Wise: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Director (winner) Robert Wise: Golden Globe, Best Director (nominated) Saul Chaplin: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Musical Score (winner) Sid Ramin: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Musical Score (winner) Thomas G. Stanford: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Editing (winner) Victor A. Gangelin: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (winner)

West Side Story - Film Awards: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Picture (winner) American Film Institute, 100 Greatest American Movies (winner) British Academy of Film and Television, Best Film - Any Source (nominated) Golden Globe, Best Picture - Musical (winner) Library of Congress, U.S. National Film Registry (winner) National Board of Review, Best Picture (nominated) New York Film Critics Circle, Best Picture (winner)

Disc Title: Guys and Dolls - People Awards: Cyril Mockridge: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Musical Score (nominated) Harry Stradling: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Cinematography (nominated) Howard Bristol: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (nominated) Irene Sharaff: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Costume Design (nominated) Jay Blackton: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Musical Score (nominated) Jean Simmons: Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or C (winner) Joseph C. Wright: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (nominated) Oliver Smith: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (nominated)

Guys and Dolls - Film Awards: British Academy of Film and Television, Best British Film (nominated) Golden Globe, Best Picture - Musical or Comedy (winner)

Disc Title: Fiddler on the Roof - People Awards: David Hildyard: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Sound (winner) Gordon K. McCallum: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Sound (winner) John Williams: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Adaptation and Original Song Score (winner) Leonard Frey: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (nominated) Michael Stringer: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Art Direction (nominated) Norman Jewison: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Director (nominated) Norman Jewison: Golden Globe, Best Director (nominated) Oswald Morris: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Cinematography (winner) Paul Mann: Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (nominated) Peter Lamont: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Art Direction (nominated) Robert F. Boyle: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Art Direction (nominated) Topol: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Actor (nominated) Topol: Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Com (winner)

Fiddler on the Roof - Film Awards: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Picture (nominated) Golden Globe, Best Picture - Musical or Comedy (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French, Spanish Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel DDS: Dolby Digital Surround DD1: Dolby Digital Mono Additional Features: cc Original Theatrical Trailers Fiddler on the Roof also features Norman Jewison, Filmmaker Documentary Audio Commentary by Norman Jewison and Topol Never-Before-Available Deleted Song, Any Day Now Tevye's Dream in Full Color Stories of Sholom Aleichem and Historical Background Read by Norman Jewison Storyboard to Film Comparison DVD Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1: Cinemascope 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 3 DVD Sides: 3 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 480 min   DVD Chapters: Disc #1 -- West Side Story 1. Overture/Main Title [5:13] 2. Prologue [9:52] 3. Snowing the Coppers [2:47] 4. How to Hold Turf/Jet Song [5:21] 5. Something's Coming [5:47] 6. Not Giving an Inch [2:55] 7. Dance at the Gym [7:21] 8. Love Across the Lines [3:45] 9. Riff's Challenge [1:23] 10. Maria [2:40] 11. America [7:30] 12. "I Don't Wait" [1:33] 13. Tonight [7:01] 14. Gee, Officer Krupke! [7:25] 15. The War Council [4:50] 16. Sweet Land of Liberty [5:44] 17. I Feel Pretty [3:33] 18. What Anita Can't See [2:45] 19. One Hand, One Heart [5:44] 20. Tonight (Ensemble) [3:19] 21. The Rumble [8:13] 22. Breaking the News [3:02] 23. Somewhere [3:38] 24. "I'm Scared" [1:57] 25. Cool [7:32] 26. Gotta Find Tony [1:56] 27. A Boy Like That/I Have a Love [6:44] 28. Detaining Maria [1:50] 29. Anita's Message [4:51] 30. No Cure From Doc [2:05] 31. Finale [8:24] 32. End Credits [5:01] Disc #2 -- Fiddler on the Roof 1. Tradition 2. Main Title/Credits 3. News for Tzeitel 4. Matchmaker 5. If I Were a Rich Man 6. Perchik 7. Tzeitel's Hand 8. Sabbath Prayer 9. At Lazar Wolf's 10. To Life 11. A Warning 12. Lessons/A Bride 13. The Pledge/Tradition 14. Miracle of Miracles 15. Fyedka & Chava 16. Tevye's Dream 17. The Wedding 18. Sunrise, Sunset 19. Mazeltov! 20. Lazar Wolf's Toast 21. Dances With... Women? 22. The Pillagers 23. Entr'acte 24. "Troubles, Troubles" 25. Perchik Proposes 26. Do You Love Me? 27. News From Perchik 28. Far From the Home I Love 29. The "New Arrival" 30. Chava Elopes 31. Chava Ballet Sequence 32. "Leave Anatevka" 33. Anatevka 34. Saying Goodbyes 35. Chava Returns 36. Finale/End Credits Disc #3 -- Guys and Dolls 1. Logo/Title/Credits [1:40] 2. New York Folks [3:43] 3. Fugue for Tinhorns [1:38] 4. Follow the Fold [2:38] 5. Brannigan's Breath [4:17] 6. The Oldest Established [2:54] 7. Nate's Favorite [5:19] 8. Sky's the Limit [6:19] 9. Sinners for Dinner [9:28] 10. I'll Know [5:11] 11. Pet Me, Poppa [4:35] 12. What Dolls Will Do [6:36] 13. Adelaide's Lament [3:47] 14. Guys and Dolls [4:44] 15. One Dozen Sinners [4:03] 16. Surprise Wedding [5:29] 17. Adelaide [4:02] 18. Sweet Milk [5:06] 19. Dance-Off [8:34] 20. If I Were a Bell [4:56] 21. A Woman in Love [5:09] 22. Mission Doll [3:34] 23. Take Back Your Mink [5:05] 24. Tough to Take [2:19] 25. The Marker [1:39] 26. Shootin' Craps [3:59] 27. Honest Dice [8:15] 28. Luck Be a Lady [3:09] 29. Sue Me [5:02] 30. Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat [10:09] 31. Men and Wives [4:46] 32. End Credits [:43]