I just had the honor of meeting here at a funeral , Chita was so kind and so Lovely . Class act and a true legendary dancer of our time along the likes of "Fosse" and "Michael Bennett ". Her personality is off the hook adorable , She had her lovely daughter there with her. Just charming !
Loved Rita Moreno, still do to this day. As a kid growing up watching West Side Story and then the Electric Company...it was a fantastic childhood. I didn't know who Chita was until later on.
I read or heard that Chita turned down the movie simply to keep a commitment she'd made to a Broadway show. She's lighthearted about it all now, but, Lord, she's human--she's got to have uttered the biggest uh-oh in theatrical history when she saw what a stunning, legendary movie West Side Story became. I love both ladies, by the way.
@@jondavwal13 Oh please. "Awful"? TEN Oscars; millions worldwide have loved the film for over 50 years. You're too little and too late for this snipe. The new one is indeed wonderful, however!
The last interviewer and Sammy Davis Jr. are my favourite interviews here. It was so obvious that the other interviewers wanted to start some kind of ridiculous catfight-type garbage dialogue.
Actresses who originate the part on Broadway don't always get the role when it's made into a movie. Many times producers pick someone else for box office reasons, sometimes they go with a younger, prettier actress: Julie Andrews losing to Audrey Hepburn in the movie version of "My Fair Lady" and Carol Channing losing to Barbra Streisand in "Hello Dolly" are two examples. Producers chose Deborah Kerr over Gwen Verdon for "The King and I" in the movie version as well.
@@richardmayora6974 The studio wanted Maureen O Hara who was an excellent singer for The King and I but Rodgers didnt want a Pirate Queen as his Anna and Deborah Kerr was cast. dubbed by Marni Nixon.The director Morton Da Costa,Robert Preston and Meredith Willson wanted Barbara Cook for The Music Man and she would have made the movie if Sinatra or Cary Grant were cast as Hill .But when Robert Preston was cast they chose Shirley Jones who had received the Oscar the year before and was a popular singer and actress then..Gwern wasnt cast in the Sweet Charity movie directed by her husband Bob Fosse because they also wanted a popular star and Shirley Mc Laine was cast and Gwen directed her in the movie.Julie Andrews could have played Eliza in My Fair lady if Cary Grant had been Higgins but he rejected the role . So when they cast Rex Harrison they wanted a famous star and Audrey was cast although she wanted Julie for the role.She and Harrison fought for Julie but Warner told Audrey that if she didnt want to make the movie he would cast Elizabeth Taylor instead and she accepted the offer..There are many exemples and the case of Chita,Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert in West Side Story was the same.They would have been better. Rita was excellent and received the Oscar but for me Natalie and Beymer werent the best choices for Maria and Tony.But they were movie stars she was a movie seller so she was cast.,Other mistakes for me Rosalind Russell instead of Ethel Merman in Gypsy, Barbra Streisand for Carol Channing in Hello Dolly and for Barbara Harris in On a clair day you can see for ever and for me the worst castings of them all Peter O Toole for Richard Kiley in The Man of La Mancha and Lucille Ball for Angela Lansbury in Mame,. As you see Richard there were many wrong castings in the movie musicals for me.
The original Anna in "The King and I" on Broadway was the English actress Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952). She collapsed after a matinee of the musical in August of 1952, and died a few weeks later; it turned out that she was suffering from undiagnosed liver and abdominal cancer.
Julie Andrews was a newcomer and relative unknown to the big screen which was why the part went to Audrey Hepburn. And we know that Audrey didn't sing in that movie, her voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon.
dianavictoria Aljadeff I can understand replacing the original Broadway performer for a famous Hollywood star, but that Rita Moreno was not, right? So it’s kind of puzzling that they chose to replace Chita for an unknown up and coming actress
Although Rita is actually a year older than Chita, she looked younger at the time, and Chita, though attractive enough for the stage, didn't have the kind of looks that the movie camera flatters. She never made much of an impact in the movies. Not that she needed to.
I just thought of a fabulous idea. They should star in a comedy movie together entitled, “I Want to Live in America!” In it, they’re either two retired friends, or sisters that decide to move to the mainland, & have to constantly remind those who are ignorant that Puerto Rico is part of America.
That would be a good sitcom. I hope some network and producers and writers read this and start this idea ASAP! Make them 2 bickering sisters who love each other very much.
I don't know how people do it. Merman, Channing, Rivera- all got their hearts broken when their most famous, iconic role goes to another person. Then, you have to deal with watching the movie open, and be promoted, and in Chita's case someone else gets the Oscar for it. I bet it's still painful all these years later when it pops up on TV.
In the end Chita Rivera worked a lot more than Rita Moreno. She was winning Tonys and on Broadway into the 80s and 90s and beyond. Rita Moreno's career was extremely spotty because she was very picky. But if you listen to the cast albums of the first movie and the original Broadway show, there is no comparison. The movie sounds like crap side by side. The new movie sounds pretty good if you just listen to the music.
In an interview Rita said that Chita should have gotten it because she looked the part more. As in more ethnic, Rita had to do brown face and she said Chita had the facial features more. Perhaps before the nose surgery 🤷🏾♀️. But Hollywood wants the whitest things.
Chita simply did not have the looks for movie stardom, Rita did. Like Carol Channing, Ethel Merman and a lot of others, Chita looked great on stage, but the movie camera did not flatter her. The camera loved Rita. It wasn't about who was darker or lighter!
@@chrisn7259 Exactly! Chita seems like a lovely woman but honestly she's not pretty. She has a witch nose. Rita was much prettier & sultry in her heyday.
Yeah it's different. Mary Martin likely knew there was no chance of her playing Sound of Music in the movies. She may have thought she had a shot at South Pacific though.
I hate that reporters ask this cause like- who wouldn’t feel a little hurt and then ultimately move on? It’s such a gross “I already know the answer but want to put my guest in a spot where they have to have a sound bite about it.” Question. Hollywood is Hollywood and everyone knows that. Don’t rub it in for people rudely.
Neile Adams was asked to audition but rejected the offer due to her pregnancy with son Chad McQueen. She would have been very good in the role as well.
If we are going to be really honest, which most people have a hard time these days, it must of been really upsetting when someone else got the role you created and were cast in the film version.
How could that chat show woman make a mistake like telling Chita Rivera how much she liked her in the movie?! And right after doing a Puerto Rican accent from the song! UGH.
Chita is a wonderful stage performer but the camera is not kind to her (watch her in Sweet Charity). She, like Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Zero Mostel, and others had features that came across harsher on camera. That’s why they excelled on stage and never had substantial movie careers. Rita has great talent and had been in Hollywood for a decade before the movie West Side Story was made.
Chita Rivera is not Rita, Rita Moreno is not Chita....simply put Chita does not photograph well at all. Best seen from 50 feet away on the Broadway stage
How did I never realize Anita, Chita, and Rita all rhymed until now
Chita is a class act and brilliant performer! Rita was great as Anita too.
Chita's infectious laugh at the end just made my day! Chita, Rita, Anita! I love it!
It was wonderful to hear!
I just had the honor of meeting here at a funeral , Chita was so kind and so Lovely . Class act and a true legendary dancer of our time along the likes of "Fosse" and "Michael Bennett ". Her personality is off the hook adorable , She had her lovely daughter there with her. Just charming !
Rita was the perfect for the film that’s it, she made it a hit
Loved Rita Moreno, still do to this day. As a kid growing up watching West Side Story and then the Electric Company...it was a fantastic childhood. I didn't know who Chita was until later on.
I read or heard that Chita turned down the movie simply to keep a commitment she'd made to a Broadway show. She's lighthearted about it all now, but, Lord, she's human--she's got to have uttered the biggest uh-oh in theatrical history when she saw what a stunning, legendary movie West Side Story became. I love both ladies, by the way.
Unfortunately, aside from Rita Moreno, the movie is awful. The new one is way better.
@@jondavwal13 Oh please. "Awful"? TEN Oscars; millions worldwide have loved the film for over 50 years. You're too little and too late for this snipe. The new one is indeed wonderful, however!
@@jondavwal13 Idiotic comment. And the new one made ten cents at the box office. Something tells me that you under 30
Whatever it is, Chita is a legend. Imagine originating two of the most iconic roles on Broadway!
The new documentary with Rita Moreno is amazing!!
I ❤Chita. Met her twice. Wonderful legend!
2 Amazingly beautiful and very talented ladies!! R.I.P. Chita Rivera! 🙏🏽❤️🌹🌹🌹
The last interviewer and Sammy Davis Jr. are my favourite interviews here. It was so obvious that the other interviewers wanted to start some kind of ridiculous catfight-type garbage dialogue.
Agreed! They were digging!
Definition of CLASS
Omg, I can't believe that reporter went on on how great she was in the movie 😂
Alex Hulubas lol
lmfao
At 4:03 I had to go back just to make sure. How embarrassing!
Watson Everly same here it was a lil looney
Stupid!!!! Unprofessional. OMG what a blunder. If were her, I would crawl underneath something and never appear again!
She was the best seeing her live
!❤
I love them both! 😘❤️😘❤️😘❤️
I love them both!!!
Chita is an elegant lady!
Great clips. Thank you, Cliporama.
Actresses who originate the part on Broadway don't always get the role when it's made into a movie. Many times producers pick someone else for box office reasons, sometimes they go with a younger, prettier actress: Julie Andrews losing to Audrey Hepburn in the movie version of "My Fair Lady" and Carol Channing losing to Barbra Streisand in "Hello Dolly" are two examples. Producers chose Deborah Kerr over Gwen Verdon for "The King and I" in the movie version as well.
Gwen Verdon was not in The King and I.
@@richardmayora6974 The studio wanted Maureen O Hara who was an excellent singer for The King and I but Rodgers didnt want a Pirate Queen as his Anna and Deborah Kerr was cast. dubbed by Marni Nixon.The director Morton Da Costa,Robert Preston and Meredith Willson wanted Barbara Cook for The Music Man and she would have made the movie if Sinatra or Cary Grant were cast as Hill .But when Robert Preston was cast they chose Shirley Jones who had received the Oscar the year before and was a popular singer and actress then..Gwern wasnt cast in the Sweet Charity movie directed by her husband Bob Fosse because they also wanted a popular star and Shirley Mc Laine was cast and Gwen directed her in the movie.Julie Andrews could have played Eliza in My Fair lady if Cary Grant had been Higgins but he rejected the role . So when they cast Rex Harrison they wanted a famous star and Audrey was cast although she wanted Julie for the role.She and Harrison fought for Julie but Warner told Audrey that if she didnt want to make the movie he would cast Elizabeth Taylor instead and she accepted the offer..There are many exemples and the case of Chita,Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert in West Side Story was the same.They would have been better. Rita was excellent and received the Oscar but for me Natalie and Beymer werent the best choices for Maria and Tony.But they were movie stars she was a movie seller so she was cast.,Other mistakes for me Rosalind Russell instead of Ethel Merman in Gypsy, Barbra Streisand for Carol Channing in Hello Dolly and for Barbara Harris in On a clair day you can see for ever and for me the worst castings of them all Peter O Toole for Richard Kiley in The Man of La Mancha and Lucille Ball for Angela Lansbury in Mame,. As you see Richard there were many wrong castings in the movie musicals for me.
The original Anna in "The King and I" on Broadway was the English actress Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952). She collapsed after a matinee of the musical in August of 1952, and died a few weeks later; it turned out that she was suffering from undiagnosed liver and abdominal cancer.
Julie Andrews was a newcomer and relative unknown to the big screen which was why the part went to Audrey Hepburn. And we know that Audrey didn't sing in that movie, her voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon.
dianavictoria Aljadeff I can understand replacing the original Broadway performer for a famous Hollywood star, but that Rita Moreno was not, right? So it’s kind of puzzling that they chose to replace Chita for an unknown up and coming actress
Is there video of the FORBIDDEN BROADWAY sketch of "Chita vs. Rita"? I loved that.
Although Rita is actually a year older than Chita, she looked younger at the time, and Chita, though attractive enough for the stage, didn't have the kind of looks that the movie camera flatters. She never made much of an impact in the movies. Not that she needed to.
Is that a joke? Shame on the news lady for confusing Rita with Chita.
Can you do Stephanie Mills and Diana Ross for the Wiz since this a broadway episode
i'd like to see a video on Jennifer Holliday talking about Beyonce and Dreamgirls, or one with Mamie van doren talking about Jayne Mansfield
If Jennifer Holliday talks it must be about Jennifer Hudson, not about Beyoncé
Dreamgirls was made 30 years later. Effie couldn't be 50.
"Unclassy" Question.....Classy Answer!
I just thought of a fabulous idea. They should star in a comedy movie together entitled, “I Want to Live in America!” In it, they’re either two retired friends, or sisters that decide to move to the mainland, & have to constantly remind those who are ignorant that Puerto Rico is part of America.
That would be a good sitcom. I hope some network and producers and writers read this and start this idea ASAP! Make them 2 bickering sisters who love each other very much.
Puerto Rico is part of the Americas
@@1brickrow I know. I’m Puerto Rican.
RIP Chita Rivera, Jan 2024.
4:06 ... YIKES
I don't know how people do it. Merman, Channing, Rivera- all got their hearts broken when their most famous, iconic role goes to another person. Then, you have to deal with watching the movie open, and be promoted, and in Chita's case someone else gets the Oscar for it. I bet it's still painful all these years later when it pops up on TV.
In the end Chita Rivera worked a lot more than Rita Moreno. She was winning Tonys and on Broadway into the 80s and 90s and beyond. Rita Moreno's career was extremely spotty because she was very picky. But if you listen to the cast albums of the first movie and the original Broadway show, there is no comparison. The movie sounds like crap side by side. The new movie sounds pretty good if you just listen to the music.
I never realised people confused these two actors! 😆 they look nothing alike and their voices are so different!
Only people who aren't paying attention do that.
I wonder what Rita Hayworth thought about Rita Moreno.
June giovani ask rita, while she is still alive
joan London, joan blondel, joan Crawford,joan of arc...…….Collins,plowright,allen,blondel, fontaine,o'brian………………...
As much as I love, respect, and adore Rita Moreno, Chita was destined to play 'Anita' in BOTH Broadway and Film. I wish Chita had won the role.
It’s a whole ITA thing going on:)!
In an interview Rita said that Chita should have gotten it because she looked the part more. As in more ethnic, Rita had to do brown face and she said Chita had the facial features more. Perhaps before the nose surgery 🤷🏾♀️. But Hollywood wants the whitest things.
Chita simply did not have the looks for movie stardom, Rita did. Like Carol Channing, Ethel Merman and a lot of others, Chita looked great on stage, but the movie camera did not flatter her. The camera loved Rita. It wasn't about who was darker or lighter!
*wanted
@@chrisn7259 Exactly! Chita seems like a lovely woman but honestly she's not pretty. She has a witch nose. Rita was much prettier & sultry in her heyday.
@@Mexicanita1904 Didn't Barbra Streisand kind of end this way of thinking 50 years ago?
@@nikkiloveslife4841For your intellectual development Nicole Puerto Rican can be racially white.
Can you find anything on Mary Martin losing The Sound of Music to Julie Andrews?
Why? Mary Martin was in her 50s when she played Maria on stage and by the time the movie was made she was eligible for Social Security.
Didn't know that - although I probably should have.
Yeah it's different. Mary Martin likely knew there was no chance of her playing Sound of Music in the movies. She may have thought she had a shot at South Pacific though.
Not to worry about Mary Martin. She ended up making more money from the movie than Julie.
I hate that reporters ask this cause like- who wouldn’t feel a little hurt and then ultimately move on? It’s such a gross “I already know the answer but want to put my guest in a spot where they have to have a sound bite about it.” Question. Hollywood is Hollywood and everyone knows that. Don’t rub it in for people rudely.
Neile Adams was asked to audition but rejected the offer due to her pregnancy with son Chad McQueen. She would have been very good in the role as well.
If we are going to be really honest, which most people have a hard time these days, it must of been really upsetting when someone else got the role you created and were cast in the film version.
How could that chat show woman make a mistake like telling Chita Rivera how much she liked her in the movie?! And right after doing a Puerto Rican accent from the song! UGH.
Chita is a wonderful stage performer but the camera is not kind to her (watch her in Sweet Charity). She, like Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Zero Mostel, and others had features that came across harsher on camera. That’s why they excelled on stage and never had substantial movie careers. Rita has great talent and had been in Hollywood for a decade before the movie West Side Story was made.
What an amateur anchor: "You were so great in the movie!" DO YOUR HOMEWORK! DO YOUR JOB!
And that is why you do good research to prepare for an interview. That was embarrassing.
Oopsie Roseanne Scotto lol
Geez. Let it go. Is that the single question you came up with for every interview since 1966?
I'm here after the news of her death
Chita and Rita were BOTH too old for the film. The characters are supposed to be teenagers; Rita was 30 when filming it; Chita would've been 28
Chita Rivera is not Rita, Rita Moreno is not Chita....simply put Chita does not photograph well at all. Best seen from 50 feet away on the Broadway stage
What an airhead on 5 to mistake Chita Rivera for Rita Moreno, I guess they're all just Latins, whatever.
what a lost of talent....protect Rita
hollywood racism is why she didnt recreate her role in bye bye birdie in the film version