Episode 4: The Making of “West Side Story”

05/05/21 • 114 min

“West Side Story” was a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet told through the racially-charged strife of 50’s street gangs. Regarded today as a classic that “grows younger”, “West Side Story” was a grueling shoot that turned into one of the most expensive musicals ever made at the time. In this episode, we will take a look at the making of the film, as well as discuss its scandals, legacy, and place in movie history!

Previous Episode

Episode 3: The Making of “East of Eden”

“East of Eden” was the 1955 retelling of the story of Cain and Abel that flipped the world’s pop cultural axis by giving us James Dean. For Dean, the role of Cal Trask was more than just his first major part in a movie: it was a case of art imitating life. In this episode, we will unpack the making of “East of Eden” as well as the tragic life of it’s brightest star. Joining us is Savannah from the Hidden Hollywood YouTube channel to discuss the cultural significance of the film and James Dean’s impact!

Next Episode

Episode 5: The Making of “Casablanca”

“Casablanca” is regarded today as one of the most beloved movies of all time, but no one involved in the making of the film thought they had a classic on their hands. A production marred by chaos, the film was shot amid the very conflict depicted in the script. In this episode, we will take a look at how the plot of a play that was never produced combined with an unlikely leading man, a Swedish actress who wasn’t impressed with the screenplay, a director with poor command of the English language and real refugees from Hitler’s Europe came together to make the most enduring of all classic Hollywood films!