Oh snap: I don't get 'West Side Story'
Those who have questioned my comic ability over the years, including me, must at least admit I am in complete harmony in one area with George Carlin, the brilliant late comic uncanny in his ability to observe life.
When it comes to the classic Hollywood musical West Side Story, the 1961 musical that won 10 Academy Awards including best picture, Carlin didn't and I just don't get it.
What Carlin expressed in the past and what I feel right now is the notion of two bitter rival New York street gangs who hate each other so much that they ... they ... snap their fingers angrily at each other.
Oh the humanity!
Of course the lily white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks eventually get around to whipping out their switchblades in this crowd-pleasing rehash of Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet yarn. But after all the finger-snapping and high-jumping choreography, though, I share Carlin's take 100 percent:
"I'll cut you, man! But first, let's dance!"
A lady at one of my Movie Memories presentations suggested recently that maybe West Side Story is a "chick flick" and guys just don't get it.
That may be the case for some, but I really enjoyed plenty of potentially "chick flickish" musicals. The Sound of Music comes to mind, and so does Oklahoma! And my disdain for West Side Story has nothing to do with all the fighting and hatred.
And I can prove it. My two favorite musicals of all time are Cabaret (1972) and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), a little ditty about a transsexual punk rocker tormented by the fact that a certain life-altering operation didn't quite work out as planned.
Sorry, but West Side Story, the movie many consider to be one of the best -- if not the greatest -- musicals of all time just doesn't cut it for me, if you'll excuse the pun.
I wouldn't suggest that you think ill of me for weak puns like that, either, I might just snap my fingers at you with that killer look in my eyes.
Making Movie Memories in San Antonio
Thanks to activity director Mario Garcia and all the fine folks over at Madison Estates for inviting us to spread a little cinematic (almost) Valentine's Day cheer Tuesday evening.
We had a great turnout of folks who really got into our Hollywood's Great Romantic Scenes presentation, even to the point of snapping their fingers right along with the Jets and the Sharks during the West Side Story portion of the presentation.
I can't wait to return to Madison Estates on March 22 for our Savor Those Tunes -- Great Movie Music Movie Memories presentation. It's one of my personal favorites.
Among many others, we'll be Puttin on the Ritz from Young Frankenstein in that one.
If you haven't already, call 214-364-7364 to book a Movie Memories presentation for your event, group or senior community.
Comments