Before Fordham Lincoln Center there was great art created in that Manhattan Neighborhood

Kevin BerginKevin Bergin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bergin-2b60aa1b/

With the interest in the remake (sorry reboot?) of West Side Story 2021 this year, it reminds us that much of the exterior shooting for the 1961 original was filmed in and around the Lincoln Center neighborhood in the period before Fordham University’s new Manhattan site was built.

The Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, known for their kicks & ability to land in 5th position.



The Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, known for their kicks & ability to land in 5th position.




West Side Story a Broadway Musical 

West Side Story was originally a Broadway Musical with the book by Arthur Laurents and songs created by legendary composers Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim. In its original feature film form, it collected 10 Oscars including Best Picture of the Year.

Rita Moreno appears in the 2021 version as well; Perhaps in a different role although seeing her recently she could still carry this one off.

West Side Story won 10 Academy Awards in 1962, including Best Supporting Actor George Chakiris and Best Supporting Actress Rita Moreno-both shown here.


Rita Moreno appears in the 2021 version as well; Perhaps in a different role although seeing her recently she could still carry this one off.



The production was in development after the neighborhood was condemned by Robert Moses (Friend of Fordham) in the 1950s. That was in the years before construction started on the Performing Arts Center as well as the university's campus. [1]

Since the buildings were slated to be demolished, the filming crew got the greenlight to alter the paint or spray them with graffiti, capturing an authentic essence.

In the photo below you will see a rare moment of cooperation between Sharks and Jets-no doubt preparing for the rumble to come.

Professional dancers often spend more than 30 minutes each morning "on the bar" in preparation for their dance routines.

Really wasn’t a story filmed just on the “West Side”

Although filming locations included Church of Saint Paul the Apostle, on Columbus Avenue, the famous rumble scene was edited together between footage on the west side (approximately 67th St near Amsterdam Ave) & the east side around 103rd St between 2nd & 3rd ave.

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The Jets: I know they were the "American" gang but still a disproportionate number of blondes ... don't you think?



When You Want A Night Out

As the pandemic seems to be ending, it is going to be important to get out and discover the exciting world of movies. Film at Lincoln Center, previously known as the Film Society of Lincoln Center until 2019, announced its reopening in the Spring of 2021. The film society spotlights American independent cinema and world cinema, and recognizes and supports new filmmakers.[2] Over the last four decades, the film society has introduced to American audiences the works of many of the world's most acclaimed filmmakers. The Film Society of Lincoln Center is one of the eleven resident organizations at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

EXTRA: Here is some private footage off of the director, Jerome Robbins, personal 8 Millimeter camera showing the actors traveling through the area: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1166966373365447

Bibliography 

[1] https://thecinemaholic.com/west-side-story-filming-locations/

[2] "About Us". Film at Lincoln Center. filmlinc.org. Retrieved 2021-05-25

This article originally appeared on the Fordham University Class of 1980 Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/537184563628982/about.

#lincolncenter #nyc #fordhamlincolncenter #ritamoreno #jeromerobbins #LeonardBernstein #StephenSondheim #RobertMoses #ArthurLaurents

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-bergin-2b60aa1b/



Kevin Bergin

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