Legendary Actress Rita Morena Immortalized Again in Hollywood

George Chakiris, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn Immortalized for West Side Story


WEST  SIDE STORY celebrates it's 50th Anniversary this year and stars Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn were honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at the Grauman's Chinese Theater Tuesday where the musical first had it's original premiere in 1961. WEST  SIDE STORY was also released on Blu-ray this week with a 50th Anniversary Edition.

The celebrations continued later that day for the iconic Broadway musical turned movie with a one-night only screening of the 10-time Oscar® winning film with the three honorees and their Hollywood guests which included Joe Mantegna, Jason Ritter, Russ Tamblyn's actress daughter Amber Tamblyn, Adam Shankman (Hairspray), Morgan Fairchild, Corbin Bleu, and hosted by High School Musical director Kenny Ortega.

Rita Moreno already has a star on the Walk of Fame but the hand and footprint further cemented her legendary status as one of the first ground-breaking Latinos in Hollywood.  She is one of the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress® in another musical The King and I starring Yul Brenner in 1957.

The Romeo and Juliet inspired story is set against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950’s New York.  A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry between two street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (Richard Beymer, The Longest Day) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood, Splendor in the Grass), the sister of the Sharks leader, it’s more than these two warring gangs can handle.  As mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale.

The iconic film WEST SIDE STORY is now available on Blu-ray for the first time with a limited edition collector's set available featuring a two-disc Blu-ray, newly restored DVD and tribute CD along with a Photo Book and other collectibles. The limited edition boasts hundreds of hours of restoration, new 7.1 digital audio, and a collection of bonus features spotlighting the harmonious songs and elaborate dances of the original film.

West Side Story features famous songs still heard today like “Maria,” “America,” “Tonight,” and “I Feel Pretty,” WEST  SIDE STORY: 50th Anniversary Edition showcases thrilling performances by Best Supporting Actress® winner Rita Moreno (The King and I), Best Supporting Actor® winner George Chakiris (Two and Two Make Six) and Russ Tamblyn (How the West Was Won).

 

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