Rare West Side Story original Broadway footage "Maria" & "Tonight" Carol Lawrence, Larry Kert
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Little known film from 1957 West Side Story Broadway original cast - Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert, the first Maria and Tony on stage singing "Maria" and "Tonight"
Right after my parents' marriage, in NYC, they saw the stage production. At the end, the audience were stunned, then they all stood up, cheering and applauding. It remains an amazing memory for both my parents. My mom said she didn't realize it was going to be quite that good.
I had the pleasure of playing Anita in a production of W.S. with Larry Kert. There is no question in my mind...he and Carol should have been the stars of the film. magic....beauty.
+oldgypsytap I believe this is from their Ed Sulllivan appearance. It was obviously shot for TV.
+oldgypsytap Not sure his show was in color at that time, unless this scene has been colorized.
+erzug I've seen scenes from Camelot on the Ed Sullivan show from 1960 and they were black and white.
Who are your?
oldgypsytap.. so, who are you really then since you're claiming to have sung with this guy?
Like the diction of Larry Kert! This is fabulous. What a voice! He OWNED that part!
The scene between Carol Lawerence as Maria & Larry Kert as Tony singing "Tonight" is one of the if not the most beautiful duets in Broadwy History.
+Ray Dziadzio THE most beautiful duet in Broadway history!
Sheer perfection and what great chemistry they had!
@@091053JG absolutely! I heard an interview with Carol Lawrence. She said they really loved each other. You could definitely see and feel it. Wish they would have been in the movie.
No one can ever touch this!
@@091053JG Yes, they weren’t sure about Kert for Tony, but when they saw the chemistry they had in the balcony scene, bingo, that was it
“West Side Story,” is set in a part of Manhattan where I grew up, so I have always been interested in the play and the movie. This clip is simply wonderful. No wonder it was such a big hit, and remains a true American classic.
No one ever bested these two in the show. They set the model and everyone else (so far) could just follow. I hope somehow Larry knows the show is alive, well and still beloved.
I have adored this musical for 60 years. I've never heard Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert together. WOW! I am practically in tears listening to this. I can picture the curtain going down to complete, dead silence, it was that good!
This is conclusive proof that beauty does exist in the world
Larry Kert was forever Tony, his passion on the LP version was just over the top and perfect. He lived the role.
Larry Kert was one of the first of MANY super-talents *lost* ... a true angel in America!
If there is a heaven, he will be siinging.
He sure was. Beautiful man, great talent.
Now that I'm done crying, I can write something. NOW I know why people who saw this show 60 years ago say it was better than the movie. I never thought it was possible. And I've seen tv clips and also listened to the cast album. I totally get it! I had no idea that any footage, color or bw, existed. What a treat beyond words can express.
My mom saw both the Orginal Broadway show and the film (with my father, sister, and me) and she said the Broadway version was far superior.
So nicely said.
Every time I hear this version of "Maria", I cry. Just beautiful. Thank you for posting such a treasure.
WOW! That is the way those songs should be sung. It's no wonder why the show was such a hit with Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert in the leading roles. Such talent.
Although I agree the singing is phenomenal "West Side Story" was not a great hit on Broadway. It made its money back but wasn't a smash. The smash that season was "The Music Man." It wasn't until the film version that it caught on. Although the original Broadway cast recording is unbeatable in my opinion.
I agree. I've heard both versions and the stage soundtrack beats the film soundtrack by a country mile. But if you settle on the stage soundtrack get the Sony remastered version it's only a few bucks more and well worth it.
And this isn't the 'original Broadway footage' either. This is clearly from the 1970's, and not 1959-1960. Kert was much, much younger, and didn't wear a sweater(!) in the role...
+ Starbuck2015 - Oh yes, get the remastered version.
I'm glad you cleared this up. However, no matter when it was filmed, Kert and Lawrence are pure magic.
I heard Carol Lawrence describe the Opening Night experience, on a talk show, quite a while back. She talked about the very last scene played on a darkened stage, whereupon the curtain closed. The cast eagerly awaited any applause, but there was dead silence. The cast feared the worst, (after all, it wasn't a familiar type ofmusical). Then, little by little the clapping started, building into a crescendo, (paraphrasing, here). That unrehearsed description thrilled me, to where I visit and revisit sites that carry old tapes. Imagination makes me wish all the more that I was there on Opening Night. Also, to see young Michael Callan, then a dancer, as a member of a gang.
... an amazing response to the Opening Night of what is now considered Broadway's most iconic Romantic Musical of all time ... who woulda thunk it ??? ...
Your comment gave me a chill.
They were probably stunned and also possibly not sure if it was over or if there was more to come. It would have been a pretty shocking ending when you think about it was Tony dying instead of the two of them running off into the sunset together. Plus there might have been too many tears to even think about clapping. I cry everytime I see the movie even though I know exactly what's going to happen. Think how they must have felt the first time it was viewed and they had no idea what was coming.
@@mothershelper1981 so true
Where are the websites that have older recordings?? Would love to watch it all!
OMG, to have been in the audience on opening night. Wow what a privilege.
Larry Kert's tenor is one of a kind. Now to see his acting talent on top of that... Thank you for sharing this incredible clip!
Beautiful just beautiful
Both songs are wonderful. kert's and Lawrence's voices are beautifully matched and lovely. For som reason I find Kert's rendition one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful vocal performances I have ever heard. A perfect match between singer and song.
He is an unparalleled singer. His voice is so smooth like cream and so rich and full. He hits the highs and the lows with such beauty. No one can touch him in this role.
You said it better thankyou
@@rgsanchez317 you said it!
His is the only version of Maria to listen to.
You can see how accurately Carol and Larry were portraying the emotions of their characters in the nuances of every beautiful note they sang, mini pauses of the phrasing, and facial expressions while expressing their love. Wow! Wish I could've been there to see them in person, but I'm pretty sure I would've been too young at 10 years old to fully appreciate these gems as much as I do now. Thanks for posting this segment.
Thank you so much for this post. I only wish Larry Kert had been more appreciated during his lifetime. Remarkable performer.
Yes, I agree. Great talent!
My mother has the record of the Broadway recording, it was the first musical I heard - and I've loved it ever since! Lawrence and Kent have spoilt me for any other performance, I gotta say, they simply ARE Maria and Tony. The emotion they transport, their powerful voices...
I'm just thrilled to actually watch footage of them, after decades of only knowing their voices, so thanks for sharing!
The original Tony and Maria from Broadway.
How beautiful! Nobody better
I grew up with the original cast album and it was amazing...I near wore it out..
So did I. Mine had so many scratches on it through overuse.
Me, too. In fact, I wonder if the actors here are lip-syncing to their own recording. At least in my memory, they sound EXACTLY like the Broadway cast album.
My album is framed and hangs on my Den wall. :) (61 years of age)
I was only fifteen when I saw the movie so I would have been too young to go to the Broadway show Even if we had lived nearby. But I wore out my original soundtrack album the same way. My brother teased me once and told me I'd played that album so many times when I played one side you could hear the other. I never forgot that even though he probably said it to me in 1966 plus or minus.
Carol Lawrence was a magnificent singer, actress and dancer. This duet is lovely. They both should have been in the film along with Chita Rivera who was a firecracker on stage.
Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Thank you for posting these two magical performers for all of us to enjoy. These were the best versions of "Maria" and "Tonight" that I've ever heard. This is the kind of singing that you hear with your heart.
Absolutely
"Say it loud and there's music playing. Say it soft and it's almost like praying." What beautiful lyrics!
Should be "loudly" and "softly." Lyricists all too often took liberties with English grammar. Alan Jay Lerner and Oscar Hammerstein were guilty on several occasions.
@@rexlex1736How ridiculous. They’re supposed to be teenagers. It’s the way they speak.
@@rexlex1736Oh my..... sorry you feel that way about the Marvelous, Amazing, Incredible Stephen Sondheim lyrics. He is perfection, even in these his early years.
How lovely. The first time I heard Larry Kert as Tony I was 10 or 11 years old listening to a record album my parents played. That was a long time ago now, and I've heard a lot of West Side Story's, but no one has ever sung Tony as well as Larry Kert. It's good to finally see him in the part. Thank you.
my sentiments exactly.
Me too. In my living room in the Bronx.
Thank you. This is beyond priceless. There's no one who appreciates more than I do the fabulous work Marni Nixon did in her career ''dubbing" the singing voices of pretty-face Hollywood starlets...but it is good to hear and see Carole Lawrence and Larry Kert doing what only they could do: Create a rôle from scratch. Every performer who followed them would only be able to imitate what they created.Thanks again for uploading this. Historical film such as this must be preserved.
Marni Nixon's existence, and the existence of those like her was a Hollywood travesty. Plus they dubbed actors who could actually sing. Ava Gardner's version of Can't Help Loving that Man of Mine is way better than the generic crap her dubber sang.
I was in the original Bway production of West Side Story on Broadway! My program name was Julie Oser. I was Swing Girl! What’s that you ask! It means that I had both a Jet and Shark costume. I needed to understudy all female dancers as well as a dance part as a Jet in the dance hall scene. I heard this kind of message quite often….”Julie change your costume. “Wilma turned her ankle”
I was invited to the Speilburg opening in Hollywood tho my date and I had to get major expensive Covid tests to be admitted. The other 2 original Broadway performers there were Grover Dale (dear officer Krupkee” and Carol Lawrence
“ original Maria”. We were introduced under major spotlights an royally applauded!
Omg, this is wonderful. I had no idea she was so talented.
Chita was cast and told Larry and Carol about the musical. Annamaria Albergetti was the original choice for Maria. Larry and Carol rehearsed this number using a ladder for the balcony.... (got this tidbit from Larry decades ago). Still can't listen without sad/sweet memories of him...
Why wasn't Annamaria Albergetti cast as Maria?
Jan-Ida Ripton She said in an interview her team decided against it
Opening night of West Side Story Larry Kert was no teen, was 27; Carol Lawrence was 25; in this television footage shot years later they are 37 and 35. Yet look at the interpretations closely. After suffering hundreds of students of the thespianic arts in Tony/Maria fiascos, see how "right" they got the originals.
@@saleconomos473 in one of the comments it says it is from the Bell Telephone hour show in 1967. I'm assuming from the title that it's about various versions of Romeo and Juliet over the years. How wonderful that they were able to get Larry Kent and Carol Lawrence to sing on the show.
Hey, I like those "students of the thespianic arts Tony/Maria fiascos".
The material is just that good.
27-year-old playing a teenager in a musical. Now where have I heard somebody being vilified for that recently?
@@oliverbrownlow5615 Olivia Newton-John was 30 when she played a teenager in Grease
@@michaelterry1000 she looked much more like a teen than Lawrence does here
The Ed Sullivan Show version is brilliant also. This one from even 9 years later is also brilliant. After fracturing our hearts singing "Maria," listen how later Larry calls her name when he finds her--- the feeling--- the passion when he makes his entrance at the fire escape. The way he calls out her name "Maria" then again... "Maria." He can't contain himself! Then they are together, and we are witnessing a love "Oil Painting."
Saw this on Broadway with Larry and Carol. This show. still gives me magic to my soul. I am so grateful I saw the original. The best forever.
So glad you enjoyed the wonderful clip of Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence! We’re presently building a website devoted to the 1957 original Broadway cast production of West Side Story at run4.us.
Count me in.
How how was Carol not considered for the movie when Natalie couldnt sing a note? Same with Angela not getting MAME instead of Lucy who couldn't sing on her TV show yet smoking 3 packs a day gets and ruins film version of MAME. Producers never learn apparently.
@@bingovegas4867 Carol was apparently screen tested but the producers felt she looked Too old onscreen to play Maria. They wanted someone with softer and more youthful features.
Natalie actually COULD sing - she just wasn't Classically trained the way Carol was. Natalie did her own singing in GYPSY - not one note was dubbed there - and she did record most of the WSS songs on her own and lip-synched to her own tracks while filming, but it just didn't meet the Operatic demands of the score and so Marni Nixon overdubbed her.
As we see here both Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence should have done the West Side Story film.
Magnificent on stage and even here nearly 10 years after the original stage version. But simply too old by the time the film was made. Not to mention that we know Hollywood rarely uses the original B’way actors. But certainly exciting to see them together again and singing these roles even better than on the OBC album. Lovely.
This is one of the coolest things I've ever come across on the Internet. Thanks for sharing this.
I was there!!! :)
Genius! best argument for God in the universe.
This is not film footage from an original Broadway performance. That should be understood. This is probably a late 60's TV special re-uniting Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence. They ARE original cast members, but this is much later footage.
I think it's understood to anyone with 2 eyes that this is from a television show and they are older than when playing on B'way, but thanks for spoonfeeding it to us...
I saw them then! Great!!!
Brilliant. Unsurpassed. Hot damn great!!!!
I first sang Tonight when I was 10 years old, when the film opened in 1962. I just now sang it again, at 68, and could still sing it with the last G ending. What a gift - to sing after 58 years as I did when I was a child and first discovered this beautiful music. Perhaps great music keeps the voice young. Bernstein was at his best in the 40s and 50s - later he just did not have the same creativity.
Didn't the Film Premiere in 61?
I grew up listening and dancing to this album,, now,,, decades later, I remember how Great the phrasing was with these two beautiful singers. That was missing in the film,, the singer for Tony and Marnie Nixon did Not capture this,, I Love the film, but this is magical,,,
In their defence, Ms. Nixon did an admirable job, and as for Mr. Beymer, well, I honestly don't envy him, being so universally disliked in the role.
One of my best friends - Jill Haworth - was in a position similar, and, in her case, the devastation it caused, impacted her the rest of her life.
I don't want to violate her privacy,, and, honestly, it's not something we ever discussed, but, I know the story.
In her situation, she was cast in the original version of Cabaret BECAUSE she wasn't a singer, and - I am much younger, and never saw her on B'way (nor the film, for that matter), from what I understand she was ebullient about it. She wrote in her Playbill entry something like 'there's a great future ahead of me, can't wait,' and she got not great reviews - primarily because the critics WANTED a musically-trained Sally.
When Jill got sick, and her understudy took over, Jill never went back.
It crushed her.
Now, I can't speak for Mr. Beymer - I never met him, but, I've got to believe the weight of the negativity heaped on him must not been an easy weight to bear, either.
+Jessica Marciel I grew up watching the film on tv over the years. I think the singers for Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood did a wonderful job considering. Jimmy Bryant sang for Richard Beymer's 'Tony' in the film. Bryant and Nixon - theirs was a thankless job. Normally a singer lays down the track and then the actor is tasked with lip syncing along. For Bryant and Nixon it was the other way around. The scenes with Wood and Beymer were already filmed. Bryant and Nixon had to do their best to sync their voices with the actor's lip movements on screen - that is VERY hard to do. Both are accomplished singers and I am certain no one could have done much better under the circumstances.
I liked Marne for Audry Hepburn,,but for me it didn't look like Natalies voice>>didn't work for me.
+ Jessica Marciel -
That is so interesting, U.N. Owen. I would love to hear more of this story. I prefer a Sally who is not a great singer. That's the whole point, isn't it? Thanks for sharing!
I bet seeing that live was extraordinary. He was fabulous
SO MANY CHILLS
Thank you for letting us all have he privilege to see the original Tony and Maria on Broadway, Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence. I was fixated on watching and listening to them perform Tonight together. When Larry sang “Maria”, he is so dreamy as Tony, who is a young man in love with a young woman he met at the school dance. 😍😍😍😍. Not only did Larry and Carol sound great and their voices are well blended together, but also, they have romantic chemistry with each other. I was in awe like this 😲 watching this special video to West Side Story fans like me. I can’t wait to see and hear one of my Broadway idol/divas, Miss Chita Rivera as Anita.
It's so sad that this only has 6000 views while the glee version will get millions.
the only version of WSS i listen to -- Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert
I've never seen nor heard the Glee version-and I never will.
Gorgeous. He always did the best Maria and they are so much in synch as singers and performers. The original show must have been remarkable.
I have seen many great musical. My Three very most favorites are The Sound of Music, West Side Story & Man of Lamancha.
This is still my favorite version. I have a cd of it and a backup cd just in case, lol!
Saw this in 7th grade, will never forget it, outstanding! I am 75 now and still remember like it was yesterday. Saw the newer west side in 2001? This is still the best👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️
I’ve had the cast album for years. But I’ve never gotten to see them perform. What a treasure.
What a nice a song and voice. O love this original music.
Best of the Best . . . Beyond breathtaking . . . No moments more beautiful than these anywhere/anytime.
Wow I'm the biggest fan of this and this makes me so happy to see and hear thanks!
Awwww I wish I'd seen the play
Wait a minute, New Dream West Side Story Movie Collection; 1 West Side Story Movie in VHS and 1 West Side Story Movie in DVD-Video.
Wow!! This is iconic footage here. I can't believe how good the quality of it is. They are simply wonderful. It is hard to imagine thar West Side Story wasn't really so well received when it first opened. I would loved to have seen Chita Rivera in "America".
wow....this is broadway treasure
This clip is from the The Bell Telephone Hour episode "The Many Faces of Romeo and Juliet" (September 22, 1967)
Almost 10 yearrs to the day (Sep. 26, 1957) when West Side Story debuted on Broadway.
I figured it might be from Bell Telephone Hour
Thanks, this definitely seemed like a "reunion" special performance. Wonderful. Priceless.
Thank you for reminding me where I first saw this (at the age of 15). That was a great TV program.
Beautiful!
Every song a classic... every melody memorable and able to stand on its own Broadway needs this kind of score... enough of the expositional monologue as song - time to rediscover old ideas. We need R&H back.
glorious performances a decade after the premiere
Carol Lawrence & Larry Kert were Brilliant.
Wait a minute, New Dream West Side Story Musical Collection; West Side Story Musical in 8-Track, West Side Story Suite in Tape Cassette, and West Side Story Ballet in Music-CD.
FYI ... This is a clip from 1967 ... (Recreated Broadway moment for TV) ... "The Many Faces of Romeo & Juliet" - Bell Telephone Hour
such a great movie and play
so charismatic ... makes me tear up
Such an amazing duo! I always imagined Tony and Maria to sound like these 2. Perfection. Hitting those notes 🎶 aren’t easy. I’ve spoken to many people who have played Tony and Maria in high school productions and the “Tonight,” balcony scene is extremely difficult. To come in at just the right moment but not too soon or too late. Keeping in tune with the music while staying in character is so hard. But when you get along with the person in front of you it shouldn’t be hard.
Sadly the 1961 movie version although was amazing Natalie Wood didn’t want Richard Beymer to play Tony and it was rumored that they didn’t get along very well. I’m not sure how true that is but I’ve read many articles saying it was. It’s a shame really. Natalie did a fabulous acting job but she had to pretend to be in love with Richard but when they called “cut,” she would leave for her trailer. Richard left the premiere early because he didn’t like his performance. It’s to bad they couldn’t have casted people who could actually sing but things were different back then I guess. Jimmy Bryant dubbed Richard and Marni Nixon dubbed Natalie. Natalie paid out of her own money form what I heard for a singing coach to help her sing better. They winked at Marni literally and when Natalie found out she was being dubbed she stormed out of the room. Richard said years later he and Natalie got together for a lunch date and they got along really well.
Larry and Carol were so close behind the scenes that to play lovers on the stage wasn’t hard. ❤️❤️🌹
The Balcony scene when done correctly is one of my favorite scenes in West Side Story. The first time they are alone. ❤️❤️👏 Duets aren’t easy to do but when done the way Larry and Carol do it it’s outstanding! ❤️
Thank you for posting this. West Side Story Is the best musical ever and this clip is so full of emotion. I didn’t know it existed.
And for the person who complained about Glee - don't knock Glee because shows like that help promote Broadway and get kids interested in it, and in the old shows and songs.
The heart is stirred as others share their heart with us. How beautiful
That was GLORIOUS!
Jerome Robbins, the director, was stunned to learn Kert could sing. He knew him only as a dancer. Also, that's not the b-way set. It's a TV sound studio.
wonderful! sad that a dubbed Tony instead of this ... Thanks for this momeent 57
He’s dreamy
Carol Lawrence was an excellent singer. She and former husband Robert Goulet were an exceptional singing duo. I loved their voices. When she appears on talk shows now, she rarely sings. We're missing a great singing voice.
I truly wish they had done filmed versions with the original casts of WSS along with Gypsy.
Simply beautiful Thank you , Lenny, Steve, jerry, Larry, Carol .,just wondrous., MW
wow - LIVE, and this good? no wonder they auditon 8 million people for these two roles. SHE is fabulous.
Thanks. The voices in the film were a little too manicured. Carol and Larry have a touch of raw, youthful nervousness in their voices, which makes them very appealing. Cheers.
Carol Lawrence was at LA premiere of the new Spielberg west side story a few days ago
MAGNIFICENT!!!! Thank You SO VERY MUCH!!!!!
I would have wanted to see Carol and Larry in the film. Carol was six years older than Natalie who made the film but she looked very well in this BellTelephone Hour made at the time that the film was made.Larry was also older than Richard Beymer but watching this video and the film we see that there were much better than the actors who were in the films who also were dubbed. Both Maria and Eliza had the same singing voice and wasnt natural.Of course Carol,Larry and Julie should have been been in West Side Story and My Fair Lady like also Carol Channing in Hello Dolly,Angela Lansbury in Mame and Barbara Cook in The music Man.Only Barbara had a good singer doing a role she introduced: Shirley Jones who was good in the film but those who saw the 1957 Original Broadway Performance said that Robert Preston didnt have the same chemistry with Jones that he had with Cook and of course Rex Harrison didnt have with Audrey the same chemistry he had with Julie on Broadway.And of course if you watch this video you will see that Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert were better than Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer as Maria and Tony
Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood were badly miscast. Beymer was a farmboy from Indiana who looked out of place trying to play an urban street kid. However Natalie was very good in the final scene.
Probably because they loved each other in real life.
@@091053JG I found out recently that Natalie had throat problems that day filming her final scene. It's her singing dubber, Marni Nixon , who screams out those chilling words, "Don't touch him!." I was always so impressed with Wood's reading of her final lines that I always felt back then that she was cheated out of an Oscar nomination. It's reported on the official WSS site: www.westsidestory.com. Per the article.... (In fact, Nixon even dubbed Wood’s speaking voice at the very end: "Don’t you touch him!" Te adoro, Anton."). .Kind of a bummer it wasn't Wood's voice.
Thank you so much for posting this beautiful play. Thank you so much.
Natalie Wood was Natalie Wood. Carol Lawrence was Maria.
Both the play & the movie would have been even better if Maria had been played by a real Hispanic/Latino woman. Unfortunately, they didn't usually allow people of color to have leading roles in plays or movies back then
Jan-Ida Ripton now they’re gonna have a Latina woman playing Maria in Spielberg’s film
@@j.i.r608 Yeah, they should've pulled some P.R. girl off the streets of the Bronx or Puerto Rico who had no acting talent, or charisma just to satisfy
some people's uncompromising social agenda for the role of Maria. West Side Story was a work of art created by white people. Besides that, they were
also Jewish and gay. Given all of that, taking your social sentiments into account they shouldn't have allowed this musical to be staged. Remember, WSS
was created by those of White European descent that was, in part, about POC. They only thing left for you to do now I guess is to organize to have it banned on the grounds that it's racist!
Natalie Wood Was Good
R.I.P
@@austinpearce5442 Spielberg's film is nothing short of amazing. It fixes the original movie.
Original Broadway soundtrack is what made the music historic.
wow. i saw the movie when it first came out. i think i was about 7 or 8. west side story reached me at that early age. finally almost 50 years later i took my daughter at age 8 to see it on broadway. full circle i guess. thanks for posting this. there is never enough of leonard berstein's masterpiece! neal from brooklyn, now in maine.
Brooklyn!
@@oliverbrownlow5615 funny but i just named my new boat Olive! i don't know if i can bring myself to watch the new movie of West Side Story...
I love his version.
Perfection.
Beautiful. This puts the ridiculous Spielberg remake to shame.
Amazing!
Larry Kerr. Amazing!!!
It is Larry Kert---the original Anton 'Tony'.
Beautiful.
thank you 57Wss!!
wonderful, thanks for sharing
Would like to hear “One Hand, One Heart”.