Check out these stunning photos from the making… | Little White Lies

Check out these stun­ning pho­tos from the mak­ing of West Side Story

04 Nov 2021

Words by Adam Woodward

Four people, three men and one woman, running through a rainy street surrounded by trees. The individuals are wearing casual summer clothing in red, orange, and dark colours, and appear to be participating in an energetic activity or celebration.
Four people, three men and one woman, running through a rainy street surrounded by trees. The individuals are wearing casual summer clothing in red, orange, and dark colours, and appear to be participating in an energetic activity or celebration.
This col­lec­tion of rarely seen pro­duc­tion stills shows the orig­i­nal Jets and Sharks in action.

Although it was made after the so-called gold­en age of the film musi­cal, Robert Wise and Jerome Rob­bins’ West Side Sto­ry remains a glis­ten­ing touch­stone for the genre – its catchy sound­track, slick chore­og­ra­phy and breath­less ensem­ble num­bers often imi­tat­ed but nev­er bettered.

A tale of doomed lovers and rivals gangs set in 1950s New York, this fin­ger-snap­ping, high-kick­ing clas­sic is return­ing to cin­e­mas this month for its 60th anniver­sary – just a few weeks before the arrival of Steven Spielberg’s remake.

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To cel­e­brate, Park Cir­cus and MGM have kind­ly offered us a selec­tion of orig­i­nal pro­duc­tion pho­tos, many of which haven’t been pub­lished since the film’s ini­tial release.

Dilapidated urban buildings in the background, people on the street in the foreground, some sitting on rubble.
Black and white image of people in urban setting, one man performing a high kick while others watch
Group of people sitting on chairs on street
A black and white image showing a group of people gathered on a city street, including some in film crew attire.
Group of men and boys gathered together, black and white image
Busy urban street with people, vehicles, and buildings in black and white.
Four men, Black and White, standing in front of a brick wall with "LAKE" written on it, in a black and white image.
Group of people in a dance studio, some are dancing whilst others observe.
Bustling city street scene with group of people dancing on a city street, pedestrians and buildings in the background.
Group of people standing outside a shop on a city street, black and white photograph.

The orig­i­nal West Side Sto­ry returns to many UK cin­e­mas this Novem­ber. For more info vis­it park​cir​cus​.com

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