The West Side Story plot has won awards both on stage and on the silver screen and has inspired a score of reboots, references, and characters. Most recently was the 2021 West Side Story reboot, directed by Steven Speilberg — which, so far since its release date on December 10, 2021, has a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes (despite its lackluster ticket sales). The filming of the 1961 movie by the same name is not without both facts and controversy. Here are 13 fun little-known facts about the original West Side Story production you probably never knew. RELATED: How Steven Spielberg Could Have Removed Ansel Elgort From ‘West Side Story’ Following Assault Allegations RELATED: 10 Broadway Shows To Get Excited About West Side Story contains depictions of immigrant minorities that, when West Side Story was made were revolutionary. Its use of brownface has somewhat soured modern viewings of the 1961 film as it comes across as tasteless and unnecessary. RELATED: Fans Outraged Over Whitewashing Of ‘Cats’ Star Francesca Hayward In The Film’s Creepy Trailer The tension between the gangs in the 1961 film is absolutely palpable, maybe even real. RELATED: What You Need To Know About The Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods And Their Leader, Murdock In the song American, Puerto Rico was originally referred to as an ugly island of tropical disease. This unfairly negative representation of Puerto Rico did not sit right with Moreno and she might have left the film if it were not changed. RELATED: 10 Music Videos To Help Calm You Down When You Can’t Fall Asleep Included in the laundry list of expenses of the 1961 film was over 100 lbs of makeup. Just makeup. It seems like directors Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise were really committed to the use of brownface. RELATED: The 5 Best Love-Related Movies From The Sundance Film Festival In time, however, the bracelet became synonymous with the actor. RELATED: 10 Incredible, Must-See Movies That Celebrate Black Sisterhood The plot was changed almost entirely to what we know as West Side Story today before it hit the stage. RELATED: Ansel Elgort’s Return To Screen In ‘West Side Story’ Brings Up Past Assault Allegations RELATED: 28 Best Love Quotes From Broadway Musicals It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the role of Tony, but if anyone fits the bill of a slick gangster type, it would definitely have been Elvis Presley. RELATED: 14 Best Movies About Bullying (And Where To Watch Them) RELATED: 80 ’80s Movies That Are Still Iconic Today Reportedly, the filming of this particular scene was so brutal that the actors burned their kneepads afterward in front of choreographer Jerome Robbins, who wrote West Side Story (original). RELATED: Why Trying To Be The ‘Cool Girl’ Emotionally Messed Me Up Hepburn was pregnant when she was asked to take up the role and did not want to risk another miscarriage so she didn’t want to strain herself by taking on such an intensive role RELATED: 12 Weird Facts About Audrey Hepburn’s Love Life You Should Know After filming, the two continued their relationship, eventually getting married and starting a family. It turns out that a Jet and a Shark can get together and have a happily ever after after all. RELATED: What Rebecca Luker Taught Me About Leaving A Legacy On Broadway And In Life Dan O’Reilly is a writer who covers news, politics, and social justice. Follow him on Twitter.
