And The Academy Award Goes To ... - Series 2 - West Side Story

Series in which Paul Gambaccini explores what Oscar-winning films can tell us about the American society of the time. Paul tells the story of how West Side Story won 10 Oscars in 1961 and hears from producers, stars and musicians involved in the film. It tackles tough issues through the medium of the musical. With a fresh young cast that included Natalie Wood in her first adult role, the movie sizzles with colour, drama, the outstanding choreography of Jerome Robbins, the music of Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics of a young Stephen Sondheim. Behind the scenes, however, there were arguments, dubbings and overuns, plus issues over racial casting and 'blacking up'. Yet what emerged from a tumultuous production was a trumph.