George Chakiris winning Best Supporting Actor for West Side Story

Posted by Abbie Anker on Wednesday, May 22, 2024

You can tell that he thought he had no chance in hell against those heavyweight contenders, but in the end the Academy awarded him for his timeless and brilliant performance as Bernardo.

He didn’t even have a speech prepared, he really didn’t expect to win. He looked so beautiful. What a gorgeous man, and he seemed so classy and walks like a dancer. It definitely took great acting for him to pull of that role because he seems nothing like Bernardo.

However, did the right man win? Would you have given the Oscar to him or to one of his contenders?

He would’ve been my choice 100%, but I know some feel Gleason and/or Scott were robbed.

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by Anonymousreply 210March 8, 2022 1:04 AM

Wow, that was exciting to watch, especially watching Rita's enthusiasm. Thanks OP.

by Anonymousreply 2December 14, 2021 3:15 AM

Rita looked absolutely gorgeous.

by Anonymousreply 3December 14, 2021 3:16 AM

I'd still do him even at his present age...

But let's dish about Shirley Jones' hairdo. What planet was she coming from??

by Anonymousreply 5December 14, 2021 3:22 AM

Only two out of the five nominees in that category showed up that year.

by Anonymousreply 6December 14, 2021 3:22 AM

I looked it up and was surprised to find that Shirley Jones is still alive. That video looks ancient.

by Anonymousreply 7December 14, 2021 3:28 AM

What the fuck is on Shirley Jones' head? Looks like a cartoon drawing of a baby's hair.

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by Anonymousreply 8December 14, 2021 3:29 AM

I actually worked with him about a half dozen years ago, Very sweet guy but agonizingly, almost pathologically shy, even in old age. He needs to stop dying his hair and beard black.

by Anonymousreply 9December 14, 2021 3:32 AM

R7 it’s almost 60 years ago now. The OG WSS came out 60 years ago.

by Anonymousreply 10December 14, 2021 3:34 AM

I had such a horrible crush on him. He made a couple movies, one where he played an Aztec Indian with Yul Brynner, and then there was Diamond Head with Charlton Heston and James Darren. I also had a huge crush on him. I wish George had larger body of work. But he's always been one of my favorites from the old days.

by Anonymousreply 11December 14, 2021 3:36 AM

R11 as a kid I didn’t realize it but years later I rewatched and crushed on him. Mostly in the “America” scene. That is at least where I realized I found him sexy. The way he moves is effortless. Incredibly talented with a tight little body and beautiful smile.

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by Anonymousreply 12December 14, 2021 3:41 AM

Some people believe that Oscar win cursed him and killed his blooming career. After he won his career almost immediately dried up.

by Anonymousreply 13December 14, 2021 3:47 AM

No. He doesn’t look good now and had tons of work done. Men can’t ever pull that off.

I assume his appearance is why he wasn’t asked to even cameo in the new version.

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by Anonymousreply 14December 14, 2021 3:51 AM

“Kings of the Sun,” R11! As a gayling, one of my first indications that I liked the wang. Al those greased up, half naked mens! Lol On a serious note, I dug around for years to get my own DVD copy of that movie. I thought I was the only one who recalled that obscure film.

by Anonymousreply 15December 14, 2021 3:55 AM

He sells jewelry now I believe

by Anonymousreply 16December 14, 2021 3:57 AM

He’s not bad at all in West Side Story but his Oscar win is puzzling. Montgomery Clift should’ve won.

by Anonymousreply 17December 14, 2021 3:58 AM

Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Shirley Jones

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by Anonymousreply 18December 14, 2021 3:58 AM

His Oscar win is deserved. He was so charismatic as Bernardo. He really stole every scene, along with Rita, of course.

PS he looks better now than he did a few years ago. This was him one year ago. He looks great for a man in his late 80s. Better in motion.

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by Anonymousreply 19December 14, 2021 4:01 AM

Oh come on, he was fine, but Monty was ROBBED. Ol' Monty was on death's door anyway, so it would have been a touching end to his big name career, and maybe Chakiris's career would have gone somewhere had he not won.

Following WSS, the only movies I've seen that he showed up in are French films where he has small supporting roles, which is never a good sign.....he's pretty charming in Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. I had to google him to make sure he was in the war epic "Is Paris Burning?" but to be fair, I barely registered anyone in that snoozefest besides my beloved Jean-Paul Belmondo. And Orson Welles, because he's too large not to pay attention to.

by Anonymousreply 20December 14, 2021 4:05 AM

Wasn’t part of why his career stalled because he wasn’t good at being quiet about liking cock?

by Anonymousreply 21December 14, 2021 4:08 AM

That is one Hell of a line-up of Best Supporting actors Oscar nominees. However, Monty Cliff was Brilliant in Judgement at Nuremberg, he should have won.

by Anonymousreply 22December 14, 2021 4:09 AM

He's in the camp classic The Big Cube (1969) with Lana Turner. The 'big cube' refers to LSD!

by Anonymousreply 23December 14, 2021 4:10 AM

The 1960s were all about wasting your insanely stacked casts (see 1967's Casino Royale). Besides Belmondo and Welles mentioned above, this movie managed to snag Leslie Caron, Alain Delon, Charles Boyer, Yves Montand, Michel Piccoli, Simone Signoret, Kirk Douglas, Glenn Ford, Robert Stack, Anthony Perkins, and Jean-Louis Trintignant and is still somehow insanely tedious.

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by Anonymousreply 24December 14, 2021 4:12 AM

And mix him up with George Maharas who did playgirl. I wish it had been Chakiris

by Anonymousreply 25December 14, 2021 4:13 AM

I would have let him destroy my guts if I was on the WSS set

by Anonymousreply 26December 14, 2021 4:18 AM

He played a jewel thief in a guest appearance on CHiPs. Ponch and John successfully arrested him at the end.

by Anonymousreply 27December 14, 2021 4:18 AM

He’s originally from Ohio? I would have never known.

by Anonymousreply 28December 14, 2021 4:19 AM

He revealed Natalie Wood tried getting Richard Beymer fired numerous times

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by Anonymousreply 29December 14, 2021 4:25 AM

R29 Why did Natalie dislike Richard so much?

by Anonymousreply 30December 14, 2021 4:28 AM

He was the hottest guy in the film. His sexuality explodes every scene he is in. Many gay guy back then must have paid the ticket just to see him. But I still would give the Oscar to Monty.

by Anonymousreply 31December 14, 2021 4:31 AM

Monty probably had alienated a lot of people by then and his performance is touching partly because he was such a mess by that point.

Peter Falk was known more for tv at that time, to the extent he was known at all.

Gleason & Scott were in the same film, which usually doesn't work out for anyone. Scott had done tv but also had a lot of stage experience had been nominated previously for an Oscar. Gleason might have gotten an "against type" nod if Scott hadn't been nominated. That would have helped mitigate the idea that Gleason was a "tv star".

Chakiris may have simply won by default.

by Anonymousreply 32December 14, 2021 4:36 AM

George C Scott was terrific in The Hustler it was his second Oscar nomination following Anatomy of a Murder (1959) and he refused the nomination for The Hustler.

by Anonymousreply 33December 14, 2021 4:39 AM

Montgomery Clift was brilliant in his role. I thought he would have a lock on the Oscar. Why didn't he win? Was he unpopular in Hollywood at the time due to drugs and booze?

by Anonymousreply 34December 14, 2021 4:45 AM

R34 Hollywood apparently also didn't go for booze and dope.....

by Anonymousreply 35December 14, 2021 4:47 AM

R35. We heard, Helen Lawson, you ol' battle axe. --Neely O'Hara

by Anonymousreply 36December 14, 2021 4:55 AM

Hollywood had simply given up on the wrecks that were once Monty Clift and Judy Garland (who also should have won over Moreno) and Gleason and Scott split The Hustler votes. That left Peter Falk as a comic gangster in a big flop film and George Chakiris. So there you go.....

by Anonymousreply 37December 14, 2021 5:30 AM

Chakiris is a big part of why Bernardo’s presence is felt throughout the film. Nothing else works without that element. That character personifies the tension, and Chakiris gives it more than just a face and a voice.

by Anonymousreply 38December 14, 2021 5:43 AM

Chakiris was absolutely deserving of his win, along with Moreno. To me, they are the passionate, beating heart of that film, though secondary supporting characters they may be. There is an unbelievable intensity and sensitivity to his portrayal of Bernardo that, along with Anita, just shines brighter than everything else in that film...and that's saying something, as practically every thing and every one in that film is brilliant.

by Anonymousreply 39December 14, 2021 5:44 AM

George Chakiris was a vision! I loved the quick and humble acceptance speech.

by Anonymousreply 40December 14, 2021 6:12 AM

I don’t think he did as good of a job as Rita Moreno or did a better job than Russ Tamblyn. Why was he nominated over Russ Tamblyn? What made his performance more special?

Rita also had the more emotionally heavy scenes toward the end.

by Anonymousreply 41December 14, 2021 8:35 AM

R41 100% disagree about him not being better than Tamblyn. He runs circles around Tamblyn as far as quality and presence.

No one has ever said he was better than Moreno, she’s what is most remembered for that film besides Natalie Wood, who was a movie star. Most didn’t take Wood seriously as an actress. However, they worked beautifully together and they weren’t in the same category ;)

by Anonymousreply 42December 14, 2021 10:26 AM

Monty Clift was never a great actor.

by Anonymousreply 44December 14, 2021 1:32 PM

George must have the least amount of dialogue of any male winner of an acting Oscar ever. Of course, there's the unforgettable Jerome Robbins' dance moves, but he hardly has a dramatic moment in the film until he's killed.

by Anonymousreply 45December 14, 2021 2:35 PM

I love seeing all the men in white tie and tails in that Oscar clip! Those days are long gone.....

by Anonymousreply 46December 14, 2021 2:41 PM

I'm watching Kings of the Sun now. I love how they just stuck a fake ponytail on the back of George's big pompadour so he could play a Mayan. He does look pretty good in the movie, but his costumes needed to be sluttier.

by Anonymousreply 47December 14, 2021 2:54 PM

Rita Moreno, yes. George Chakiris, no.

But I think the Academy saw Moreno and Chakiris as a package. And that is why he won. But it is puzzling. As R45 noted, he doesn't really say or do much besides dancing here and there. His highlights are dancing scenes ("Prologue", "Dance at the Gym," "America") and then he dies. When I first learned that WSS had won Best Supporting Actor, I assumed it was for Tamblyn who impressed me more. I thought that Chakiris was cute and danced well, but found his performance rather forgettable otherwise.

by Anonymousreply 48December 14, 2021 2:54 PM

I think “America” made a huge impression on the audience, and both he and Rita are dynamic in that, you can’t take your eyes off them. Not just the dancing but the meaning of the song and how radical it was for the times.

by Anonymousreply 50December 14, 2021 3:04 PM

R10 television/photography/newsreels were still predominantly black and white in the early '60s. Networks didn't all shift to color until 1966. That is when the first color Oscars were broadcast. Even then, many families continued to have B&W TV sets into the '70s. My mom was born in the late '50s and remembers that her family didn't get their first color set until '71 or so. Even though by the late '60s all shows on TV were in color, she still saw them in B&C because they hadn't upgraded yet.

by Anonymousreply 51December 14, 2021 3:06 PM

You don't need a lot of dialogue (or even screen time) to make your mark on a movie.

by Anonymousreply 53December 14, 2021 3:14 PM

R53 but compared to the other nominees, his performance in WSS was rather mundane, the dancing notwithstanding.

by Anonymousreply 54December 14, 2021 3:16 PM

You can’t just remove his dancing from his performance, it’s an integral part of his acting, and certainly an important factor in his winning the Oscar.

by Anonymousreply 55December 14, 2021 3:20 PM

R54 Don't agree at all. For many, his performance, along with Rita Moreno's, is one of the most memorable, impactful parts of that film. There is a deep sensitivity and intensity to his scenes, and the impact is felt even long after the character dies. The scene of the boys setting up the rumble in the store is a great example of not needing singing or dancing. It's all in the eyes, his physical presence, his stance...

by Anonymousreply 56December 14, 2021 3:26 PM

I agree with R39. And WTF are we comparing him to Moreno? They had two distinctly different charges.

by Anonymousreply 57December 14, 2021 3:27 PM

R56 is absolutely 100 % correct in his interpretation and reaction. Yes, yes, yes.

by Anonymousreply 58December 14, 2021 3:28 PM

In R19's clip, I love how Chakiris hits back at Spielberg (and Moreno) for their ethnic casting hypocrisy. See around the 17:30 mark, he treads very carefully on the subject.

by Anonymousreply 59December 14, 2021 3:32 PM

Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse never won an Oscar for their dancing. They weren't even nominated.

by Anonymousreply 60December 14, 2021 3:37 PM

There's no Oscar category for dancing, R60.

by Anonymousreply 61December 14, 2021 3:39 PM

And yet, Chakiris won an Oscar for his dancing, r61. Do you think he would have won if he hadn't danced in the film? Would have even been nominated?

by Anonymousreply 62December 14, 2021 3:41 PM

I don’t understand why some posters are upset about this or trying to draw a line between Chakiris’ dancing and non-dancing performance. Oscars aren’t awarded on a scientific scale. He won as a result of his total performance. That Fred Astaire didn’t win an Oscar didn’t mean he didn’t matter—frankly, I think he should have! If the dad from CODA wins this year for Supporting Actor, it will be in part because of his expressiveness in signing ASL rather than speaking. As it should be.

by Anonymousreply 63December 14, 2021 3:48 PM

Another primarily dancing role that was Oscar-nominated was Mikhail Baryshnikov in THE TURNING POINT. That was even more of a headscratcher because Baryshnikov has even less to do than Chakiris in WSS. I think he gets about ten minutes of screen time, tops, and it's mainly of him dancing. Also, he has around 5 lines of dialog in total. Talk about a wasted nomination! And he didn't even show up to the ceremony. 😂

by Anonymousreply 64December 14, 2021 3:54 PM

Another difference between Chakiris and Astaire et al is that the former’s dancing was part of his portrayal of the character, while the latter group were themselves famous for their dancing style and technique. When Astaire was dancing, it was really about him, not about the character he was portraying.

by Anonymousreply 65December 14, 2021 3:58 PM

R64 Even more of head scratcher, how did The Turning Point receive 11 Oscar nominations! It's awful!

by Anonymousreply 66December 14, 2021 4:12 PM

R65 exactly! Two completely different dynamics.

Astaire had roles written for him so he could do what he did best, dance. That wasn’t the case of WSS, and the dancing wasn’t just dancing in this one. WSS was incredibly progressive and ahead of its time in that it used the dancing as part of the acting. The fights etc. were all choreographed dances. It wasn’t just dancing in circles looking pretty.

by Anonymousreply 67December 14, 2021 4:28 PM

He wrote is autobiography that was DEVOID of anything personal - he needs to get on with it and just come out already

by Anonymousreply 68December 14, 2021 4:29 PM

Rita winning her much deserved Oscar. Did she keep her speech short because deathly-shy Chakiris did too?

I know neither had speeches prepared. They both believed they would not win (she was convinced Judy Garland was winning).

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by Anonymousreply 69December 14, 2021 4:29 PM

Peter Falk’s performance is considered the best in that film. He was wonderful. It was a strong year in the Supporting categories.

by Anonymousreply 70December 14, 2021 4:31 PM

In terms of Montgomery Clift - he burned so many bridges in Hollywood. If he didn't, he would have won. But since many in Hollywood didn't take to Monty, they voted instead for Chakiris

by Anonymousreply 71December 14, 2021 4:32 PM

Chakiris’s performance felt new and fresh in 1961. It stood out in a fresh way back then.

by Anonymousreply 72December 14, 2021 4:33 PM

What’s funny is both Moreno and Chakiris believed they weren’t winning that Oscar but both also won the Golden Globe.

by Anonymousreply 73December 14, 2021 4:40 PM

[quote] What’s funny is both Moreno and Chakiris believed they weren’t winning that Oscar but both also won the Golden Globe.

Golden Globe didn't mean as much as the Oscar did back then - word around Hollywood was Judy Garland was going to win - Rita said as much.

Notice neither prepared a speech, because they truly believed they were not going to win

by Anonymousreply 74December 14, 2021 4:42 PM

They din't even thank their mothers...

by Anonymousreply 75December 14, 2021 5:36 PM

R69 the following year Chakiris presented the Oscar to Patty Duke for The Miracle Worker whose acceptance speech was shorter than Moreno's and Chakiris'. Duke said, 'Thank you' and walked off.

by Anonymousreply 76December 14, 2021 5:56 PM

[quote]He's in the camp classic The Big Cube (1969) with Lana Turner. The 'big cube' refers to LSD!

With GOWNS by TRAVILLA.

by Anonymousreply 77December 14, 2021 6:02 PM

R76 yes, but her “thank you” was the most honest and genuine “thank you” ever. It was incredibly endearing.

Poor Chakiris. He is deathly shy, and you can see it all over his face as he presents. He looks like he wants to run off the stage.

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by Anonymousreply 78December 14, 2021 7:33 PM

Wasn't the music they played for Patty Duke's win from To Kill a Mockingbird??

by Anonymousreply 79December 14, 2021 7:47 PM

I think, in general, acceptance speeches were much briefer back then....though I don't know what was holding them back.

by Anonymousreply 80December 14, 2021 7:48 PM

That's what I was wondering, R79. Maybe it was chosen because she was so young, though? ... Nah, probably not. I don't remember any recognizable music from The Miracle Worker that they could have used, though.

by Anonymousreply 81December 14, 2021 7:54 PM

The Academy's usual go-to acceptance speech music back then was I Enjoy Being a Girl.....couldn't they have used that for Patty instead of the loser's theme music?

by Anonymousreply 82December 14, 2021 8:05 PM

R79 R91 It was sung to Helen by Annie Sullivan in the film

by Anonymousreply 83December 14, 2021 8:16 PM

^ even though Helen couldn't hear it

by Anonymousreply 84December 14, 2021 8:17 PM

[quote] It was sung to Helen by Annie Sullivan in the film

There was no music in the "the Miracle Worker" - closest thing they had to any music was Annie Sullivan singing a lullaby to Helen

[quote] but her “thank you” was the most honest and genuine “thank you” ever. It was incredibly endearing.

In Patty's book she writes that she was suffering from a type of "Stockholm" syndrome by her agents - they told her when to eat, when to go to sleep, when to watch TV, etc.

When it came time for the Oscar, Patty never once thought that she would win. All the trade papers said Angela Lansbury (Manchurian Candidate) was a LOCK. But on the off-chance she should win, Patty asked her controlling agents, what she should say - should I thank Anne Bancroft, the writers, the producers, the director?

The response from her agents was "Just say 'Thank You'" - and that is why she just said "thank you" because her agents told her to only say that.

by Anonymousreply 85December 14, 2021 8:30 PM

So why was Chita Rivera passed on when it came to making the movie?

I guess it was smart. Rita Moreno was the right choice for the film version I suppose

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by Anonymousreply 86December 14, 2021 8:30 PM

"I love seeing all the men in white tie and tails in that Oscar clip! Those days are long gone....."

DLers long for the days of sodomy laws, Jim Crow laws....

by Anonymousreply 88December 14, 2021 8:36 PM

What do you have against white tie and tails, r88?

by Anonymousreply 89December 14, 2021 9:07 PM

Nothing. I have something against backwards-looking conservatives who romanticize the past

by Anonymousreply 90December 14, 2021 9:11 PM

R90 Liking certain aspects of the past doesn't mean you condone everything about the period. Jesus.

by Anonymousreply 91December 14, 2021 9:15 PM

R85 Yes, as I said it was sung but an orchestral reprise of Mockingbird plays over the film's last scene. Which explains why it was played as Duke went to the stage to accept her Oscar?

by Anonymousreply 92December 14, 2021 9:18 PM

Well, R90 it was a time before COVID. Trump, mass shootings, cancel culture, AIDs . . . You sound bitter!

by Anonymousreply 93December 14, 2021 9:22 PM

People, the music playing when Patty Duke (and Anne Bancroft) won wasn't from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. It's the tune to the lullaby "Hush, Little Baby" that goes:

♪ Hush little baby, don't say a word

Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won't sing,

Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring, etc. ♫

As the above poster noted, it was sung by Bancroft to Duke in THE MIRACLE WORKER. The music was also used as underscoring throughout the film.

by Anonymousreply 94December 14, 2021 9:23 PM

He was so attractive. A first generation American. His parents were Greek immigrants.

by Anonymousreply 96December 14, 2021 10:23 PM

People like r93 who whine about cancel culture forgot about the Production Code, which banned sex, swearing, nudity, gay content....

Conservatives don't know about history.

by Anonymousreply 97December 14, 2021 10:48 PM

Is r93 whining about cancel culture, r97?

by Anonymousreply 98December 14, 2021 10:53 PM

R97 The production code is not the same as cancel culture which attempts to destroy those who have a different opinion or POV and cancel culture tries to restrict artistic choices as well.

by Anonymousreply 99December 14, 2021 10:58 PM

As if Harvey Weinstein just had opinions.....the Black List and the Code eliminated entire careers.

by Anonymousreply 101December 14, 2021 11:08 PM

Did Weinstein not like Chikaris?

by Anonymousreply 102December 14, 2021 11:09 PM

R99, you think the Production Code didn't limit artistic choices or points of view? You are dumb. You apparently haven't heard of the Hollywood blacklist, either. People who romanticize the past are always uneducated Republicans.

by Anonymousreply 103December 14, 2021 11:14 PM

Doesn’t he speak French? I read he also knows Spanish and Italian. He seems like a lovely man.

by Anonymousreply 105December 14, 2021 11:23 PM

[quote]So why was Chita Rivera passed on when it came to making the movie?

She refused to do anal.

by Anonymousreply 106December 14, 2021 11:50 PM

This is bitchy, but I really can't imagine Chita on a big screen.

by Anonymousreply 107December 14, 2021 11:52 PM

That’s why she never had a film career really. No one could r107.

They felt she doesn’t have the look for films, and her style works beautifully on stage but they felt she was too “theatrical” and over the top for film. So they recast her for the film, along with most of them.

Chakiris played Riff in the London production before being cast as Bernardo for the film. They felt he would be perfect for films and they were right. They just knew he wasn’t a good Riff for the movie because he had an ethnic look to him.

by Anonymousreply 108December 14, 2021 11:59 PM

It's true that the Production Code (aka Hays Code) was dictated by the religious right (e.g., Catholic Legion of Decency). The Code was established in 1930 but wasn't enforced until summer 1934 and would last until 1968 when the rating system was established. Thus, began the New Hollywood...

The best period in Hollywood history was from the late '60s (with the abolishment of the Production Code) through the 2000s. That was when moderates were in charge and there was more freedom of expression. I mean, look at all the classic movies/performances from that 40-year period because there was practically no censorship.

With Hollywood now once again having been taken over by extremists (this time from the left) there is a New Production Code all over again. The difference is, the Original Production Code promoted traditional family values and gender roles and respect for God, America, police, and authority in general. They also forbade nudity and anything that was sexual or considered indecent. The New Production Code subverts all of that. Also, they try to suppress what is (in)appropriate to say/do on screen, just like the Original Production Code, but for different reasons.

In short, both Codes are one and the same because extremists on either side are one and the same (albeit with different values). In many ways, the Old Production Code was pro-America, whereas the New Production Code is anti-America. The Old Production Code was about aspirationalism and lifting the nation's spirits in periods of despair (e.g., Great Depression, WWII), whereas the New Production Code is about gloom and doom and tearing down the country in crisis (e.g., pandemic).

by Anonymousreply 109December 15, 2021 12:02 AM

R99 did the production code chastise people like Michael Keaton for mistakenly saying Hidden Fences instead of Hidden Figures or fire a Fordham University professor for mixing up the names of 2 black students? So petty

by Anonymousreply 110December 15, 2021 12:07 AM

R110 what does the Fordham thing have to do with movies?

by Anonymousreply 111December 15, 2021 12:08 AM

You could see how much George loved to dance and his dancing was so expressive, very much a part of which ever character he was playing...yes he was playing a character on those TV shows, too. I bought his record album of Broadway show tunes. I thought he did well.

by Anonymousreply 112December 15, 2021 12:08 AM

R110, because criticizing people is the same thing as actually banning things like gay relationships from the screen.

by Anonymousreply 113December 15, 2021 12:08 AM

R111 it has to do with cancel culture vs the production code. Do try and follow the discussion.

by Anonymousreply 114December 15, 2021 12:10 AM

Yes, cancel culture in reference to films. Not real life. R114

by Anonymousreply 116December 15, 2021 12:11 AM

R110 supports banning teachers who talk about race in classrooms and banning books about LGBT people, like all the conservatives who grandstand against cancel culture

by Anonymousreply 117December 15, 2021 12:12 AM

The Production Code banned "sex perversion" aka homosexuality. That's fine with the DL conservabots

by Anonymousreply 118December 15, 2021 12:13 AM

[quote]They felt he would be perfect for films and they were right

They already knew how he looked on film, r108.

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by Anonymousreply 120December 15, 2021 12:15 AM

If you think "cancel culture" is worse than the Hollywood Blacklist and the Production Code, r119, then, yes, I'd assume you do.

by Anonymousreply 121December 15, 2021 12:16 AM

He won the Golden Globe so I guess the Oscar wasn't a complete shock.

by Anonymousreply 122December 15, 2021 12:16 AM

Sorry I never said worse! Project much? Learn to read instead of misinterpreting! BYE!

by Anonymousreply 123December 15, 2021 12:17 AM

But, r122, did the GGs do a separate Comedy/Musical category back then?

by Anonymousreply 124December 15, 2021 12:20 AM

R116 try and follow the discussion.

by Anonymousreply 125December 15, 2021 12:20 AM

He can also be seen in a kilt in Brigadoon and with graying temples in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

by Anonymousreply 126December 15, 2021 12:21 AM

R120 I was watching the secondary audio of White Christmas just this past weekend. Rosemary Clooney referred to George Chakiris the best looking man in Hollywood.

by Anonymousreply 127December 15, 2021 12:22 AM

R124 supporting categories don’t get separated.

by Anonymousreply 128December 15, 2021 12:26 AM

R110: You've been busted and you don't like it. We get it.

by Anonymousreply 129December 15, 2021 12:30 AM

Back in the day I would have loved a three way with George Chakiris and George Maharis

by Anonymousreply 130December 15, 2021 12:31 AM

I keep hearing Tamblyn was a homophobe which is strange because he was often working with gays in Hollywood. And he was a gymnast for Christ's sake.

by Anonymousreply 131December 15, 2021 12:31 AM

Well statistically, most people worked with gays in Hollywood. Even homophobe John Wayne was courteous to gays like Rock Hudson.

by Anonymousreply 132December 15, 2021 12:34 AM

Working with gays doesn’t mean you can’t be a homophobe. Tons of those people are lowkey.

Just like a racist can know how to work with black people. Doesn’t mean they don’t feel the way they do.

by Anonymousreply 133December 15, 2021 12:34 AM

R79 that music was not in To Kill a Mockingbird, but it was featured in The Miracle Worker

by Anonymousreply 134December 15, 2021 12:35 AM

Clift was not a nice person. And people probably had had enough of him.

A friend of his was with him while Clift was admiring his own beautiful face in a mirror. Before the car accident of course. Clift looked at him and said, 'Why are you so ugly?'

by Anonymousreply 135December 15, 2021 12:36 AM

...et les ballets de Barry Collins

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by Anonymousreply 136December 15, 2021 12:37 AM

R124 Yes but not in supporting acting categories which I believe is still the case even now

by Anonymousreply 137December 15, 2021 12:39 AM

R132, yeah, and George W. Bush worked with gays. So did Reagan. But they were still homophobes

by Anonymousreply 138December 15, 2021 12:39 AM

R135 Being a nice person has nothing to do with acting ability or deserving awards. Faye Dunaway is one of the biggest cunts alive, and she absolutely deserved her Oscar. Monty was disliked by Hollywood types for his addictions and unreliability, like Judy Garland.

by Anonymousreply 139December 15, 2021 12:40 AM

Or they didn’t find his performance as grand as you did.

by Anonymousreply 140December 15, 2021 12:42 AM

R139 As an aside Faye IMHO did not deserve her Oscar for Network. It was a one-dimensional character and Liv Ullman in Face to Face and Sissy Spacek in Carrie were far more deserving and it certainly isn't Faye's best performance

by Anonymousreply 141December 15, 2021 12:46 AM

R107 Chita's first film was Sweet Charity (1969) Rita had numerous film credits before WSS. Much more often than not those who created a role on stage don't play the role in film. Rita was offered Bye, Bye Birdie which Chita originated on stage. The part went to Janet Leigh after Rita turned it down. And yes, Rita had a more camera-ready face.

by Anonymousreply 142December 15, 2021 12:51 AM

[quote] People, the music playing when Patty Duke (and Anne Bancroft) won wasn't from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. It's the tune to the lullaby "Hush, Little Baby" that goes:

The actual scene illustrating R94's point:

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by Anonymousreply 143December 15, 2021 12:55 AM

When Rita won why didn't the orchestra play America instead of Maria which is associated with Tony not Anita?

by Anonymousreply 144December 15, 2021 1:03 AM

They also played it for George Chakiris. The Oscars show wasn't as much of an overproduced extravaganza back then, and one song for each movie sufficed in those days.

by Anonymousreply 145December 15, 2021 1:22 AM

Yes, they used the same song for every win that night.

by Anonymousreply 146December 15, 2021 1:23 AM

[quote] Just like a racist can know how to work with black people. Doesn’t mean they don’t feel the way they do.

Great. Now we are punishing people for their thoughts and not their actions. Welcome to East Germany.

by Anonymousreply 147December 15, 2021 1:26 AM

R147, your fellow conservatives wanted to throw people out of the military for having homosexual thoughts.

by Anonymousreply 148December 15, 2021 1:30 AM

R145 R146 Thanks and yes when Joan went up to receive her oops, I mean Anne's Oscar they played the Mockingbird theme.

by Anonymousreply 149December 15, 2021 1:39 AM

R116 Who died and left you in charge of what can and cannot be discussed on DL?

by Anonymousreply 150December 15, 2021 1:46 AM

R129 WHO's we? Do you have an imaginary friend?

by Anonymousreply 151December 15, 2021 1:55 AM

I thought there was some audio of him in Company out there, but I can't seem to find anything.

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by Anonymousreply 152December 15, 2021 1:56 AM

[quote] Great. Now we are punishing people for their thoughts and not their actions. Welcome to East Germany.

R147, the fact that someone who has never met Russ Tamblyn is aware of his reputation as a homophobe means the problem wasn't confined to what was in his *mind*.

by Anonymousreply 153December 15, 2021 2:49 AM

Chakiris did "Murder She Wrote" once and "Fantasy Island" twice, but NEVER "Love Boat".

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by Anonymousreply 154December 15, 2021 2:57 AM

He also played Shirley Jones' love interest in the final episode of The Partridge Family. Oscar payback?

by Anonymousreply 155December 15, 2021 3:52 AM

I'm going to be sending around a petition in a bit and I hope you all sign it. I'm leading the effort to bring back voluminous wiglets, falls and party curls to our award ceremonies.

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by Anonymousreply 156December 15, 2021 3:58 AM

Montgomery Clift should have won. He was much more deserving of the Oscar than Chakiris.

by Anonymousreply 157December 15, 2021 4:25 AM

Monty was a druggie and a shit. George was a good decent human being so he deserved it. And if you don't think the Oscar's are a popularity contest I have a bridge to sell you.

by Anonymousreply 158December 15, 2021 5:21 AM

[quote] Monty was a druggie and a shit. George was a good decent human being so he deserved it.

Who gives a shit if George Chakiris is a "a good decent human being?" The Oscars are supposedly, SUPPOSEDLY, given for merit. Even in his depleted state Montgomery Clift could outact poor George with both hands tied behind his back. Monty deserved to win, not poor old limited George, whose career evaporated after his undeserved Oscar win.

by Anonymousreply 160December 15, 2021 6:00 AM

[quote] Back in the day I would have loved a three way with George Chakiris and George Maharis

Both played Robert in "Company"; Chakiris headed the national tour (there were rumors of a relationship between "Company" choreographer, Michael Bennett, and Chakiris), while Maharis did "Company" in stock. I saw both: Chakiris (opposite Stritch) was fine, Maharis (opposite Vivian Blaine) was not great.

by Anonymousreply 161December 15, 2021 7:25 AM

It always seemed to me that you gay men always have the best guys. It's twue, it's twue!

by Anonymousreply 162December 15, 2021 8:00 AM

WHY must EVERYTHING be a CONTEST?!?

by Anonymousreply 163December 15, 2021 8:08 AM

Hard to believe these days, when the last three supporting actor Oscars have gone to co-leads, one of whom has been a major star for decades, but at the time there was some controversy about the “unfairness” of major stars like Garland and Clift competing in the supporting categories, even though that is clearly where they belonged based on their roles. This may have had something to do with the Chakiris win, along with the general enthusiasm for the film. So, by today’s standards, Clift might win? Still no, since now best actor Maximilian Schell, billed fifth and out of the movie for long stretches of time, would probably be put in supporting as well (as would Lee Marvin in Cat Ballou and maybe even Rod Steiger in In the Heat of the Night).

by Anonymousreply 164December 15, 2021 8:18 AM

R160 The Oscars were a publicity marketing ploy thought up by Louis B Mayer to sell movies. If you think he had any intention that they would have been given out by merit you have absolutely no idea of the history of film in America.

Look up Louis B Mayer in Wikipedia and learn something.

by Anonymousreply 165December 15, 2021 10:43 AM

Why do you people refuse to acknowledge that WSS and it’s dancing, songs and acting were seen as “progressive” in 1961? Also, he was the best in the category. None of those other four could do what he did.

by Anonymousreply 166December 15, 2021 2:36 PM

Rita played Norma for few weeks in London when dreadful Petula was off. (The same was Elaine took over from Betty for her time off before taking the part and Petula from Elaine. Rita didn’t play it more than few weeks becaus it closed with Petula.)

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by Anonymousreply 167December 16, 2021 12:56 AM

Who gives a shit about the "intention" of the Oscars at their creation? The Oscar winners have always been a mixed bag of actually deserving performances and political/popularity wins, but to say the entire thing is a popularity contest is horseshit. WSS's category sweep was a popularity win - I'd have given Rita the Oscar but not George, I'm surprised at some of the Monty Clift hate on this thread - most Hollywood stars were not "nice people."

His performance was fabulous, no way did Chakiris's compare.

by Anonymousreply 169December 16, 2021 1:42 AM

I just don’t think Monty was better than George

by Anonymousreply 170December 16, 2021 1:47 AM

R90 'backwards-looking'! Oh, dear! Talk about backward!

by Anonymousreply 171December 16, 2021 2:21 AM

R171, you're one to talk.

by Anonymousreply 172December 16, 2021 2:24 AM

R169 If you don't think George was totally fabulous in WSS your mother dropped you on your head too many times. Nobody gives a shit any more about that car crash face nasty queen Clift but Chakiris will always be loved by many people for WSS.

by Anonymousreply 173December 16, 2021 3:15 AM

R173 Nobody knows the name George Chakiris, just "Bernardo from WSS." He is NOT more well known than Clift, my god.

by Anonymousreply 174December 16, 2021 3:18 AM

Clift lacks that huge iconic role that some of his contemporaries had that either made them legends or just keep them relevant years later, like James Dean with Rebel, Brando with On The Waterfront, The Godfather, and a few other roles, or even Chakiris with WSS.

Monty was never cast in anything of that caliber.

by Anonymousreply 175December 16, 2021 3:22 AM

I'd say The Heiress is of that caliber. Same goes for From Here to Eternity.

by Anonymousreply 176December 16, 2021 3:24 AM

From Here to Eternity? The Heiress? Red River?

by Anonymousreply 177December 16, 2021 3:24 AM

Do not attempt to reason with R174. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a tragedy.

by Anonymousreply 178December 16, 2021 3:24 AM

Nope. Those are never ever mentioned outside of old people. Rebel, or at least the image of James Dean in Rebel, never left human psyche.

by Anonymousreply 179December 16, 2021 3:26 AM

If nothing else, Clift is known for drowning Shelley Winters, something many people wished they could do.

by Anonymousreply 180December 16, 2021 3:26 AM

Yeah, A Place in the Sun isn't exactly a B movie. Couldn't be more of a classic and IMHO THat one and The Heiress have aged FAR better than anything James Dean ever made.

by Anonymousreply 181December 16, 2021 3:38 AM

Being a classic doesn’t mean you’re in the same caliber as The Godfather or Rebel. And you don’t need to be a great film to be one of those movies people never forget.

I can assure you the average young person knows Brando and Dean more than Clift.

by Anonymousreply 182December 16, 2021 3:40 AM

[QUOTE] Clift lacks that huge iconic role that some of his contemporaries had that either made them legends or just keep them relevant years later, like James Dean with Rebel, Brando with On The Waterfront, The Godfather, and a few other roles, or even Chakiris with WSS.

Are you joking? Go watch A Place in the Sun and then report back to us.

by Anonymousreply 183December 16, 2021 3:48 PM

That’s a classic but not the same caliber as what Dean and Brando have.

by Anonymousreply 184December 16, 2021 4:07 PM

Dean only starred in 3 movies. Clift had many memorable roles

by Anonymousreply 185December 16, 2021 4:21 PM

Yet Deans 3 films are all more beloved and remembered than anything Clift did

by Anonymousreply 186December 16, 2021 4:25 PM

I suspect the loon going on about Dean's "masterpieces" has not sit through any of them in their entirety lately.

by Anonymousreply 189December 16, 2021 4:49 PM

No one called them “masterpieces”. You seem to be unable to distinguish things. Sorry. That’s a personal problem.

by Anonymousreply 190December 16, 2021 4:50 PM

Giant isn't more beloved than A Place in the Sun, The Heiress, or From Here to Eternity

by Anonymousreply 191December 16, 2021 4:55 PM

My sister, who's 17, dragged me to the Griffith Observatory a few months ago. OK. Why is it famous? Anyone?

by Anonymousreply 192December 16, 2021 5:09 PM

R185 Clift never pulled a gun on Ronald Reagan, though.

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by Anonymousreply 194December 16, 2021 5:30 PM

Brando is tremendously helped by starring in The Goddather. Without that film, he and Clift would probably have a similar kind of name recognition.

by Anonymousreply 195December 16, 2021 5:35 PM

Big deal, r194. I pulled a gun on Colleen Dewhurst. Actually, she was fool enough to pull a gun on me.

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by Anonymousreply 196December 16, 2021 5:46 PM

Dean's performances in Rebel and East of Eden are so mannered! His facial expressions and body contortions are so over the top! He died young right in the middle of his emergence as a film star which is really the reason he is remembered. His acting style was influenced by both Clift and Brando. His Method acting in Giant seems out of place.

by Anonymousreply 198December 16, 2021 6:08 PM

R198 Agree to disagree. I loved Dean’s performances in East of Eden and Giant. I also think he was capable of giving cooled down performances like in this television episode.

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by Anonymousreply 199December 16, 2021 6:48 PM

Dean's body language was a combination of a contortionist and a ballerina. Twisting, twirling, hands over head, clutching his head . . .

by Anonymousreply 200December 16, 2021 6:56 PM

Dean was incredible in all three films.

His style in Giant went against the other actors and it worked beautifully because the character is supposed to be an outlier. I found him to act circles around Rock Hudson in their scenes together, and him and Liz were lovely together, much better chemistry than she had with Hudson.

He just wasn’t great as playing older in Giant. Once he’s in his 50s it’s not as good.

He was absolutely lovely in East of Eden, in every scene minus the infamous breakdown with his father.

by Anonymousreply 202December 16, 2021 6:59 PM

Earths Kitt trained him in ballet so he can know how to move for the camera. Believe it or not, how you move plays a big role in filmmaking, and he needed to know The importance of body movements and language.

by Anonymousreply 204December 16, 2021 7:01 PM

R204 Yes, I know. And how he moves is distracting and overdone especially on film.

by Anonymousreply 205December 16, 2021 7:08 PM

Wow - George Chakiris, Monty Clift, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Eartha Kitt, Shelley Winters, Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, the Oscars, WSS.

This may be the most DL thread ever. If only someone could work in a Lens Dunham angle, it would be perfect.

by Anonymousreply 206December 20, 2021 12:59 PM

The fist time Lens saw WSS, she fell in love with George. When she found out he was Gay, she loved him even more! She tried hard to "turn " him, but alas, she could not.

by Anonymousreply 207December 20, 2021 1:22 PM

Monty is not an icon like Brando and Dean. He never will be though he made some fine films and even gave some great performances. He lacked those final essential elements that would have made a long lasting American cultural figure. His car crash taking away his beauty at such a young age and his descent into destructive alcoholic behavior also tarnished his reputation. Chakiris was gorgeous and charismatic and gave a very memorable performance which is known by many people today. Clift except by classic film fans is much less well known.

by Anonymousreply 208December 20, 2021 2:31 PM

R208: He was more of a character actor than star. Brando clearly was a star. Dean's charisma made him more of a star than the character player he probably would have become.

by Anonymousreply 209December 20, 2021 2:52 PM

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