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as an ignorant white child growing up on a farm in iowa, i sensed all the steamy homoeroticism of the movie in question, but could not put it into words. i just thought it was a real good movie with some real (he he) attractive older boys. after seeing it, i poked around my uncle's locked closet and found the broadway album. glory! i learnt all the songs, real good. but you, mr. cranky, have managed, brilliantly so, to put into words just what was going on in the story that didn't always track so right on. i didn't realize mr. c was a gay. if you're not mr. c, you get a free membership card--nonrefundable (cause it's free). but i'ma digressing. this is what i wanted to say, mr. c... eventho you're read is spot on, you left out TWO very important points.
One: just a little background fun: all major creative forces involved in WSS were gay (except co-director mr. wise, who wisely took a "back seat" to mr. robbins). they were jerome robbins, leonard bernstien, arthur laurents (wrote book for stage production), lil stevie sondheim, and the character of ice, of course (the big hunk who sings "cool." he made me gay, you know, as much as if he'd stuck something right through the screen at me and molested me with it). i'm sure a good chunk of the other dancers were on the team, but am having trouble getting their official low down. any inside infor appreciated from readers out there.
two: more appropos your review: it never made sense to me why maria insists that tony go break up the rumble. you must, she implores! such a silly plot thing. finally explained by your deeper probe (ouch) into the material. tony says, it's just a fist fight between two of the gang member (aka act of mutual masturbation probably). but religious little maria doesn't even want the slightest bit of homoclashing going on. he must stop it! i'm sure because she senses that although tony may have given up full booty intercourse and wild g'orgies with the gang, he still approves a little MM on the side. and she just ain't having it, especially since one is her big brother, that's just way too icky for a girl in a white dress.
anyway, thanks for putting it all into words for us, mr. c. consult me next time you do a closeted gay classic.
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