"West Side Story" is Still Relevant Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This actor played the hot blooded Bernardo, the brother of Maria and the leader of the Sharks. Which actor who played Bernardo won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in "West Side Story"?

Answer: George Chakiris

George Chakiris appeared in numerous movies, on Broadway and TV. Good looking and a great dancer he could be seen in the chorus line of the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", as a main character in the movie "Diamond Head" and on the soap "Santa Barbara".

He won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Bernardo in "West Side Story". In the movie his girlfriend was Anita (played by Rita Moreno).

2. I am sure it was no Sunday walk in the park with George or anyone else to pull this feat off. At the age of 25, which man wrote the lyrics for the fabulous music in "West Side Story"?

Answer: Stephen Sondheim

Stephen Sondheim is one of the most prolific composers and lyricists in American musical theatre. After he wrote the lyrics to "West Side Story" he had success after success with shows such as "Gypsy", "Sunday in the Park with George", "Sweeney Todd" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum".

He has also written a number of scores for the movies. Sondheim has won a Tony Award for almost every musical he has had a hand in. His collaborations with Harold Prince, Leonard Bernstein and Richard Rodgers are part of the rich history of the American musical

3. He was played by the actor William Bramley. What was the name of the police officer who was the subject of a song in this movie?

Answer: Officer Krupke

William Bramley portrayed Officer Krupke both on Broadway and in the movie. This officer was somewhat slow witted.
The Jets sang this song to Officer Krupke as they tried to explain why they were the way they were. The Officer was seen a number of times in the movie, most notably at Doc's store. There were a number of famous lyrics from this song such as:
Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke,
You gotta understand,
It's just our bringin' up-ke
That gets us out of hand.
Our mothers all are junkies,
Our fathers all are drunks.
Golly Moses, natcherly we're punks!
And
Gee, Officer Krupke,
We're down on our knees,
'Cause no one wants a fellow with a social disease.
Gee, Officer Krupke,
What are we to do?
Gee, Officer Krupke,
Krup you!
This song was changed for the movie to get by the censors.

4. Maria sang a song when she was in the shop that expressed how she felt as she was getting ready for a date. What was the title of the song she sang?

Answer: I Feel Pretty

This song is immediately identified with this musical. Natalie Wood who played Maria did not sing any of the songs in this movie, it was Marnie Nixon who truly sang the part. As Maria was singing this song she tried on hats and dresses.

5. In the end there were no miracles on 34th Street or anywhere else for the actress who played Maria. She faced tragedy on film and in her personal life. Who was this actress?

Answer: Natalie Wood

Natalie Wood was an accomplished actress from the ripe age of nine when she played Susan Walker in the movie "Miracle on 34th Street". She was beguiling in "Marjorie Morningstar", obedient to sexy in "Gypsy" and heartbreaking in "Splendor in the Grass". Married to Robert Wagner (two times), she died tragically in a boating accident in 1981 off of Catalina Island.

6. He used his many talents to launch the careers of the like of Shirley MacLaine. A birdie told me that his name was golden on Broadway and in Hollywood. His vision was what drove "West Side Story" to success. Which man was an iconic choreographer and film director?

Answer: Jerome Robbins

Jerome Robbins had an amazing career. As a young adult he worked as a professional ballet dancer. Robbins' talents were considerable and he quickly gained a reputation for being an original choreographer, meticulous director and a visionary. The works he was involved in are Broadway legend.

They include, "On The Town", "Pajama Game", "Gypsy", "Funny Girl" and "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum". He was awarded numerous Tony awards and an Academy Award for "West Side Story". "West Side Story" won 10 Academy Awards in 1961.

7. He danced through many movies including "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". His daughter Amber is an actress. Which actor played Riff in the movie?

Answer: Russ Tamblyn

Russ Tamblyn started on film and stage as a youngster. He melded his acrobatic skills with his dance abilities to be able to star in a number of movies such as "Tom Thumb", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and "West Side Story". He has also been a presence in movies that are of a more dramatic nature such as "Father of the Bride" and "Peyton Place".

In later years he could be seen in the TV show "Twin Peaks". His daughter is Amber Tamblyn who starred in the show "Joan of Arcadia". As Riff he used his acrobatic and dance skills to play the gang member with a heart.

He loved Tony like a brother. He was Tony's best friend and the reason why Tony went to the dance and ultimately met Maria.

8. The Sharks sang a song on a rooftop that talked to where they lived prior to New York. Have a sip of rum when you answer this question. What was the name of their former homeland?

Answer: Puerto Rico

"America", sung by the members of the Sharks was a tour de force of choreography and song. The women and men went back and forth trying to top each other on what was better or worse in Puerto Rico than in their new home in America. From tropical breezes to hurricanes blowing, this was a wild, fun dance sequence. In the stage version only the women participated in this number.

9. The closing credits were displayed in an unusual manner. The names of the cast and crew were flashed on the screen in what type of graphic design?

Answer: Graffiti

True to the gritty New York background of this movie, the credits were shown as graffiti on walls, sidewalks, under bridges and on playgrounds. Graffiti can be traced back to ancient Rome. In the late 1960s graffiti became urban art in cities such as New York. Now graffiti has become a true art form (just tell that to someone whose house or property has been tagged without their permission)!

10. Based on the play "Romeo and Juliet" this adaptation was fraught with disaster. Three major characters died in this movie. Two died during a rumble and one died by the hands of a vengeful member of the Sharks. Who were they?

Answer: Tony, Bernardo and Riff

The death of each of these characters led us to the tragic end of the movie. Bernardo and Riff were killed during the rumble. The last character to be killed was Tony. Maria was cradling him on the playground floor where he was killed by Chino. The last scene was of the Sharks and the Jets carrying Tony's body out of the area with Maria following the procession.

Source: Author RandeeOz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nannanut before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

I have seen this movie at least a hundred times. The acting might not be the best, but the dancing and the music are iconic. I hope as you answer these questions you hear the soundtrack in your head and you get to smile.

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