October 11, 2024 • 24 mins
Academy Award and Golden Globe winner George Chakiris discusses his autobiography: "My West Side Story: A Memoir," – available for purchase wherever books are sold!
Natalie Wood and "lovely" Richard Beymer, to the mercurial Jerome Robbins and "passionate" Rita Moreno, with whom Chakiris remains friends. "I know exactly where my gratitude belongs," Chakiris writes, "and I still marvel at how, unbeknownst to me at the time, the joyful path of my life was paved one night in 1949 when Jerome Robbins sat Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Laurents down in his apartment and announced, 'I have an idea.'" Click on the play button to listen to this incredible story!
Natalie Wood and "lovely" Richard Beymer, to the mercurial Jerome Robbins and "passionate" Rita Moreno, with whom Chakiris remains friends. "I know exactly where my gratitude belongs," Chakiris writes, "and I still marvel at how, unbeknownst to me at the time, the joyful path of my life was paved one night in 1949 when Jerome Robbins sat Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Laurents down in his apartment and announced, 'I have an idea.'" Click on the play button to listen to this incredible story!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The jam Right Show, All about Movies.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
You're listening to the jam Price Show, All about Movies.
And I am so excited today because I have award winning,
Golden Globe winning George Sekirez, the legendary George Shakiras on
the show today. It's such an honor to have you
on the show. And it was such a pleasure meeting
you at the Turner Classic Movie Film Festival and you
(00:25):
were so gracious.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Thank you. Listen, I'm glad to be able to talk
to you. Thank you so much. It's nice for me.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Well, thank you, thank you. I'm looking at you render
your autobiography, and what an exciting life you've had. I'd
say that again, what an exciting life you've had.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Gosh, I guess I guess so, well, yeah, I guess
I have because I've I've got to work with lots
of good things and a lot of really wonderful people,
and just socially the business. Over the years, you meet
so many people, so it is exciting and it's it's
I have to remind myself of that because and I've
(01:08):
had such a great time. I really have.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, You've had a blessed life. Really, it just seems
like everything in your life just sort of fell into
place without you necessarily planning on it, and that's but
so great. The serendipity of your life is what I
found absolutely fascinating.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Yeah, well that's exactly right, you know, because I so
often performers have to keep searching for opportunities and things
like that. I did do that, but I didn't have
to do it must because I got so lucky. It's
just circumstance. Was was that? And I circumstances or everybody
(01:51):
is victim. I'll say to you, the circumstance and sometimes
circumstances good and sometimes it's less good. But I was
generally overall pretty lucky with circumstance.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I was, you really were. I love this quote that
you have in your book. No matter how dark the moment,
love and hope are always possible. Yeah, it's a beautiful
Quote's so true.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
I like that. As I recall it was Larry King
asked lots of people for a quote, and that was
the one I came up with. It's still there. I
guess it's nice. I like it.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, I do too. I really true, it is true.
It is true. It really so much to get into
by the way, happy belated birthday. Your birthday was two
days ago.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
My god, I forgot about that already too. Birthday.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
And George, you mind telling the audience how old you
are now?
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Sorry?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Do you mind telling the audience how old you are now?
Speaker 1 (02:53):
I'm ninety two?
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Wow?
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Wow? I know. I don't know how that I feel.
I don't know what I feel when I say it. No,
I get scared, I think.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Don't be scared. It's wonderful. It's absolutely wonderful. And you're
still going.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Strong so far. That's what. Yeah. Yeah, there's longevity so
far in my family. So maybe I'll be lucky that
way too. I hope.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Well, you know, I wonder too, because you've danced your
entire life. You started off as a dancer. You can
do you still continue to dance to this day.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
No, I haven't taken class the way I used to.
I don't know why or how I sort of stopped it.
I didn't notice that one was happening. But I go
to the gym not as often as I should. But
exercise is important. But exercising in a dance class and
(03:54):
a ballet class is like the best, It's it's incomplete
tohysical workout that was stretching and strength and rhythm and everything.
And it's a great way to move your body, you know.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yes, and I think that's the secret to your longevity.
I think exercising is definitely and in your case for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Yeah. Well, and I think people in today's world too,
because let's see, when I started, it was like nineteen
fifty one or fifty two or something. And people who
exercise now, even in ballet companies, even in serious dance companies,
have accessed themselves to different kinds of exercise like pilates
(04:40):
and so on that didn't exist for me when I began.
But my point is that now people who are serious
about exercise have different methods that one helps the other,
so there's a lot more available to them.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Yes, there is. Well, let's dive into your amazing, wonderful life.
You know, you started off as a as a young
When you started off as a young man and you
were watching movies, did you ever imagine at that point
when you were sitting in that dark movie theater watching
your very first movie, which I cannot remember what it was,
but maybe you do, and you made the decision that
(05:17):
this is something you wanted to do. Did you ever
imagine your life would come become the life that you've had,
this extraordinary life.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Well, you know, as a kid going to the movies.
You speaking from myself, I was surt. Speaking for lots
of young people. I didn't know if theater existed. All
I knew was movies that were in Tucson, Arizona. So
movies were available, but as far as I knew, the
theater was. So I fell in love with the movies
and that that wonderful world of imagination, and it's it's
(05:51):
I lived kind of for going to the movies. That
was the thing that really I loved it so much.
But I had no idea. I was too young to
know and anything really, But in time, here's another lucky circumstance.
In high school, there was a girl that I was
(06:13):
crazy about, Joan Scanlon. She was a dancer, and she
told me about a ballet studio in Hollywood called the
American School of Dance that was on Hollywood Boulevard. And
she told me that it's centuries and Leslie Caron took class.
Well that's all I had to hear. That's what I took.
The train, I watched a professional class. I got a job,
(06:34):
worked to make company downtown, and I I just it
was a lucky beginning.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
With a lucky beginning. You have worked with some of
the greats, though, I mean, you worked with Marilyn Monroe.
So I want to hear some stories about Marilyn Monroe,
Judy Garland, Catherine Hepburn obviously, Jerome Roberts, Gene Kelly Rosemary Clooney,
Debbie Reynolds, Vera Ellen, I mean, Natalie Wood, Rina Mareno,
Richard Bamers, Jones, many many, many others. Yeah, how what
(07:04):
was the when you when you were on the set
for with Marilyn Monroe, you were and gentleman prefers blondes
and you were in the number of diamonds are a
girl's best friend? Was that a pinch me moment when
you realized you were performing with Marilyn Monroe at that
point in your career?
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Well, you know, at that point, I was about twenty
three or something that so I wasn't aware of really
of who she was at the time, and she I
think that movie was an important movie in her career
that kind of launched her more seriously. So, so the
when you're working for the choreographer and was Jock Cole
(07:44):
in that case, and she, Marilyn always loved him in
particular Jack Cole. Uh. But our job was not to
get caught up, and you know, looking at people was
to please the choreographer, and you know, do what we
were hired to do. So basically, in retrospect, once it
(08:05):
was after we've rehearsed and after we'd filled the number
filled to the number, it was after it was all
over and you've be kind of relaxed, you start to
reflect back on what it was like. And that's when
I started appreciated. I thought what I thought she was like.
And one of the things, you know, she was very,
(08:30):
very concentrated on her work. When they called cut for
any reason, she didn't go to her dressing room, she
didn't look in the mirror. She went right back to
her starting position to start again, just like we did.
So uh. And she was very quiet. So I never
engaged in any kind of conversation with it. But one
(08:52):
of my favorite credits is being able to say I
was one of the guys in that number behind Marilyn Monroe.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
I know, you know, I just I just watched White Christmas.
I watched White Christmas every year, and and I love
watching you dance in that. Once I knew that you
were in that, you know, I began to always watch
what you were doing in the in those dance numbers.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Well a lot of Christmas made a difference for me too,
because in the number that Rosie does called Lovey didn't
do right by me. In that number, there were just
four of us, so we were visible. And uh uh.
There was a spread in Life magazine on White Christmas,
to two page color spread, and there was a picture
(09:40):
of Rosie with the four of us around her. And
I got a lot of fan mail from that, and
it was from that that Paramount signed me to a contract.
So again I got lucky. You know you did.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I mean, I'm telling you how much life it's just
been amazing, how you've just been led on the right journey.
So God's really been blessed you. You entire life for sure,
for sure. So let's I mean, we can't we have
to talk about it. I mean, West Side Story is
one of my all time favorite films ever. And you know,
if somebody had told this little girl who sat in
(10:13):
the theater when I was really little watching West Side Story,
that someday I would not only meet George Shakiraz, but
then I would have the opportunity to interview him. I
would never have believed that. So this is like a
little girl, little girl's wish come true. So thank yoush.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Well, you know what what hearing you say that a
young girl who would respond to that film and the
theme of that film because it wasn't entertainment, it was
a serious piece. So it speaks well of you as
a young young girl too.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Well.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I always wanted to sing and dance on Broadway, so
that was one of my things when I was younger,
for sure. Yeah, so what led to tell us about
the story of how you ended up? Because you let's
talk about first that you played riff. Yes, I find
that hard to believe.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Actually, yeah, most people say that because, well, the work
for dancers here in Hollywood's kind of there was less
work because the television and things were changing. So that's
when I thought, well what I do? And I thought, well,
I guess I should go to New York. And that's
(11:25):
what I did. And I had a couple of friends,
one very good friend of mine, Drusilla, my best friend.
She had already made the move. So she was living
sharing a space with a girlfriend of hers, so I
could I could stay. I slept on the couch and
there living. When I got to New York side a
place to stay, I bought a one way ticket. I
(11:45):
couldn't for anyway. I got to New York and Drusilla
and her roommate was called called Marianne Maquay. And Marianne
worked for Roger L. Stevens, who was a huge New
York Broadway theater man, so they knew everything that was
going into New York. And what was going on was
(12:05):
West Side Stored, the original theater production was just coming
to its first year anniversary and they were going to
start a London company as well. So Mary and told
me to go to the Winter Garden Theater where west
I saw it was playing, and asked for Ruth Mitchell,
who was the stage manager at that time. So that's
(12:26):
what I did. One night, at the end of that performance,
I went to the stage door and I got to
meet Ruth Mitchell, who was very nice, and she looked
at me and she said, I think you should read
through Bernardo and so, and that was arranged for me
to audition for Jerry for the role of BERHARDO I
(12:47):
did that. I went to Jerry was working on Ballet's
USA at the Alvin Theater at the time, so I
saw him during his lunch break, and I was the
only person audition at that time of the day. Anyway,
he was gracious, he was I think the world of
this man. But then after I read for Bernard, he
(13:08):
asked me to look at the role of the Riff.
So I went back in the wings and looked at
the roll of Riff and came out and waked for Griff.
And then he asked me to to learn pool because
in the theater version, wool is sung by Riff. In
the theater it's sung by I say a Tucker Smith.
It was fantastic, right, that's such a great number in
(13:29):
the movie. I think it's the best number anyway. So
I learned cool and I came back on a disper
jury probably two more times. And on my birthday on
September sixteenth, nineteen fifty eight, Ruth Mitchell called me and
she told me I had the role of Riff in
the production in London. And that day I had seven
(13:54):
checks from my California unemployment thirty five dollars each, So
it was a yeah, that's and I loved playing Riff,
I really did it.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Yeah, So how did that? So then how did you
end up auditioning for the movie and how did let's
talk about that, But then how did that help you
end up playing Bernardo because you had played Riff? Did
that help you in your interpretation of Bernardo?
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Well? I don't know about interpretation, but because you know,
the the producers were audition is kids are lots of
young people and there were five of us in the
load of companies who got letters from the Night of
Artists saying to you know, to test us. And my
letter asked me to prepare a scene as Riff and
(14:46):
as scene as Bernardo. So one day the five of
us were driven off to Elst Studios outside of London
and we all did our respected tests and the course
of the day and we were on a high light
wow because we had heard We were so amazed that
we were being tested, because we had heard names like
(15:06):
Elvis Presley and Elizabeth Taylor, you know. So so so
we did those tests and a few weeks later Jerry
called me and said he said, we'd like tor test,
but we'd like to test you further because you got
to leave your absence of a week and come flight
to Los Angeles for another test, which I did, and
(15:26):
that second test in La I tested, I read as
Bernardo Riff didn't come into the picture anymoise, but but
it all started. I was one of many people considered
because I had already been associated the show for almost
a year, so it was just again of lucky.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. So let's fast forward to
the oscars about that like Oscar and let's talk about
faster night.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Wow, Well that was that was some nights. That was
some night. You know, it's always hard to explain what
it felt like. And I sort of decided if somebody
buys a lottery ticket, they really don't expect to win,
but the kind of hope that they might, that's what
(16:23):
it kind of feels like. And then at that moment
when they your name is called and you walk to
the stage to accept the award. Certainly Jones, who is
a good friend, gave it to me, but that's a
you're like, it's very hard to describe that feeling because
(16:44):
it's it's awesome as you're you're on a cloud. It's
it's an extraordinary. It's a wonderful feeling, of course, you know,
it's it's a it's a it's a high. And that
made it especially wonderful was that readA run. Friends. We
(17:05):
both got lucky, so it was a perfect night.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
You know, I can imagine we both gave the history
uh for the history books, the shortest, shortest Oscar exception
acceptance speech as ever, both of them.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Yeah, I know Riata kind of laughs about her as
too well, because we've learned since then how people accept
the wards and they thank everybody, you know, and they
go through a long list of everybody who they have
to thank. And it's nice that they do thank everybody
like that, But in those days, nobody thought of doing
(17:45):
it that way. It was a simpler thing. And uh,
in prospect, I wish I had at least thanked Jerry
Robins and Bob Wise.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
You know, yeah, your mind goes blank. I'm sure when
some thing like that happens that you were hoping for
but didn't expect, so that you know, it went a
great moment. I was blessed. Last year I met both
Rus Hamlin at the Turner Classic Movie Film Festival and
Rita Marino last year at the Santa Barbara International Film
Festival when she was here for a film that she
(18:18):
has called The Prank, and I got to meet her twice.
Actually she sat in front of me and we talked,
and then the next night she invited me to see
The Prank and I got to talk to her again.
So you know the trifecta here.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Well, and you know, we've all remained We don't see
each other every day, but the West Side Story in
bog White, even Bogwis said the same thing. We've all
remained friends. And Bob said, because the girls always just
take Bob to launch once a week, or they did,
(18:53):
and Bob said, it's the only movie that he made
where they everybody remained close friends thereafter.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Yeah, that's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
So there was something about that experience. It was exceptional.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Now, yes, yes, both an exceptional movie. So that bonding
and the fact that you've already made friends says a
whole lot about the whole, the whole, the movie itself
and an experience. I want to talk about because one
of the things that you which was a highlight, and
besides winning the Oscar in the Golden Globe, was in
November of twenty twelve when you and Rita and Russ
(19:37):
Hamlin all had their hand and footprints in front of
the ground in Chinese theater. So let's and I've been
there for a couple of those ceremonies, unfortunately not yours,
But talk about that and also why it was so
significant for you that you know, the early part of
your career. Why that was so significant.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Well, I'll touch you. I keep forgetting, uh that the
thing that Garman's Uh you're at the fore court there
with all those fingers prints and stuff, taking class, my
first class at it again. It was at the America
American School events. It was on Hollywood Boulevard, and there
(20:18):
was a there were rooming houses. It's all changed now,
but rooming houses a little bit further down the Hollywood.
Billvard and I rented a room in a rooming house
and I used to clean the studios and walk the
mirrors and swoops the floors at the end of the
day at the school. And then I'd walk home and
I would pass Garments theater every night and I'd look
(20:41):
at these prints all by myself. But I mean, is
is that how fantastic? Is it? Two? No, I need
to get an oscar. But to do that too, it's
it's amazing to me. It's really is amazing to me.
And uh and and wonderful, you know, but it's it's
(21:03):
it's kind of it's thrilling.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Yeah, you're immortalized even more so by having your hand
and footprints there for generations to walk by and see.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
The likelihood of anything like that happening to anybody is
it's so rare. I guess it's just again I got lucky.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Yes, you have had a charmed life. Well, and I
know you've gone into jewelry making to it from the
silver screen to making silver jewelry. So can we talk
really quickly about that and where people can purchase some
of your jewelry?
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Okay, well, I have a heart. How I started, I
don't remember, but well I remember how I started, but
I don't remember why I started. But there was a
there's a wonderful school here in Los Angeles at Barnsall
that has courses in sculpting, painting, jewelry, making different things.
(22:00):
And I went for the jewelry and I and I
had such a great time. First of all, socially was
so much fun because there are other people who all
were wanting to do the same thing, and I got
really interested and taken up with the idea of making jewelry.
(22:21):
And in time I learned technically how to how to
do everything, you know, sculpting, looking and looking at wax, soldering,
all that stuff. So I was able to every piece
that I have in my in my collection the original
pace was actually made by me, you know, not by
(22:43):
someone else, just because I learned those technical skills.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Wonderful where people can go to Georgia cares dot com
if you want to purchase one of your beautiful pieces
and George foot and on and also people, George's out
of myography is my west Side Story. It's a memoir.
It's it's an easy read, a beautiful read. And you've
had such an extraordinary life. And thank you for being
(23:10):
on the show. I feel very honored and blessed to
have had a chance to meet you and author to
interview you. So thank you so much for taking the time.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Well, I feel the same, Thank you so much, Thank
you so much.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Thank thank you, George, take care, have a wonderful day.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Thank you to.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
All my wonderful loyal listeners. Your love of film allows
me to do what I do. If you want to
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(23:46):
are feeling really compelled, I want to hear from you.
Have a burning question, comment or review, Drop me an
email at the Jamprice Show dot com. Thank you for
listening
Speaker 1 (23:59):
Show about Movies
The jam Right Show, All about Movies.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
You're listening to the jam Price Show, All about Movies.
And I am so excited today because I have award winning,
Golden Globe winning George Sekirez, the legendary George Shakiras on
the show today. It's such an honor to have you
on the show. And it was such a pleasure meeting
you at the Turner Classic Movie Film Festival and you
(00:25):
were so gracious.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Thank you. Listen, I'm glad to be able to talk
to you. Thank you so much. It's nice for me.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Well, thank you, thank you. I'm looking at you render
your autobiography, and what an exciting life you've had. I'd
say that again, what an exciting life you've had.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Gosh, I guess I guess so, well, yeah, I guess
I have because I've I've got to work with lots
of good things and a lot of really wonderful people,
and just socially the business. Over the years, you meet
so many people, so it is exciting and it's it's
I have to remind myself of that because and I've
(01:08):
had such a great time. I really have.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, You've had a blessed life. Really, it just seems
like everything in your life just sort of fell into
place without you necessarily planning on it, and that's but
so great. The serendipity of your life is what I
found absolutely fascinating.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Yeah, well that's exactly right, you know, because I so
often performers have to keep searching for opportunities and things
like that. I did do that, but I didn't have
to do it must because I got so lucky. It's
just circumstance. Was was that? And I circumstances or everybody
(01:51):
is victim. I'll say to you, the circumstance and sometimes
circumstances good and sometimes it's less good. But I was
generally overall pretty lucky with circumstance.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I was, you really were. I love this quote that
you have in your book. No matter how dark the moment,
love and hope are always possible. Yeah, it's a beautiful
Quote's so true.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
I like that. As I recall it was Larry King
asked lots of people for a quote, and that was
the one I came up with. It's still there. I
guess it's nice. I like it.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, I do too. I really true, it is true.
It is true. It really so much to get into
by the way, happy belated birthday. Your birthday was two
days ago.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
My god, I forgot about that already too. Birthday.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
And George, you mind telling the audience how old you
are now?
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Sorry?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Do you mind telling the audience how old you are now?
Speaker 1 (02:53):
I'm ninety two?
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Wow?
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Wow? I know. I don't know how that I feel.
I don't know what I feel when I say it. No,
I get scared, I think.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Don't be scared. It's wonderful. It's absolutely wonderful. And you're
still going.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Strong so far. That's what. Yeah. Yeah, there's longevity so
far in my family. So maybe I'll be lucky that
way too. I hope.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Well, you know, I wonder too, because you've danced your
entire life. You started off as a dancer. You can
do you still continue to dance to this day.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
No, I haven't taken class the way I used to.
I don't know why or how I sort of stopped it.
I didn't notice that one was happening. But I go
to the gym not as often as I should. But
exercise is important. But exercising in a dance class and
(03:54):
a ballet class is like the best, It's it's incomplete
tohysical workout that was stretching and strength and rhythm and everything.
And it's a great way to move your body, you know.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yes, and I think that's the secret to your longevity.
I think exercising is definitely and in your case for sure.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Yeah. Well, and I think people in today's world too,
because let's see, when I started, it was like nineteen
fifty one or fifty two or something. And people who
exercise now, even in ballet companies, even in serious dance companies,
have accessed themselves to different kinds of exercise like pilates
(04:40):
and so on that didn't exist for me when I began.
But my point is that now people who are serious
about exercise have different methods that one helps the other,
so there's a lot more available to them.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Yes, there is. Well, let's dive into your amazing, wonderful life.
You know, you started off as a as a young
When you started off as a young man and you
were watching movies, did you ever imagine at that point
when you were sitting in that dark movie theater watching
your very first movie, which I cannot remember what it was,
but maybe you do, and you made the decision that
(05:17):
this is something you wanted to do. Did you ever
imagine your life would come become the life that you've had,
this extraordinary life.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Well, you know, as a kid going to the movies.
You speaking from myself, I was surt. Speaking for lots
of young people. I didn't know if theater existed. All
I knew was movies that were in Tucson, Arizona. So
movies were available, but as far as I knew, the
theater was. So I fell in love with the movies
and that that wonderful world of imagination, and it's it's
(05:51):
I lived kind of for going to the movies. That
was the thing that really I loved it so much.
But I had no idea. I was too young to
know and anything really, But in time, here's another lucky circumstance.
In high school, there was a girl that I was
(06:13):
crazy about, Joan Scanlon. She was a dancer, and she
told me about a ballet studio in Hollywood called the
American School of Dance that was on Hollywood Boulevard. And
she told me that it's centuries and Leslie Caron took class.
Well that's all I had to hear. That's what I took.
The train, I watched a professional class. I got a job,
(06:34):
worked to make company downtown, and I I just it
was a lucky beginning.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
With a lucky beginning. You have worked with some of
the greats, though, I mean, you worked with Marilyn Monroe.
So I want to hear some stories about Marilyn Monroe,
Judy Garland, Catherine Hepburn obviously, Jerome Roberts, Gene Kelly Rosemary Clooney,
Debbie Reynolds, Vera Ellen, I mean, Natalie Wood, Rina Mareno,
Richard Bamers, Jones, many many, many others. Yeah, how what
(07:04):
was the when you when you were on the set
for with Marilyn Monroe, you were and gentleman prefers blondes
and you were in the number of diamonds are a
girl's best friend? Was that a pinch me moment when
you realized you were performing with Marilyn Monroe at that
point in your career?
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Well, you know, at that point, I was about twenty
three or something that so I wasn't aware of really
of who she was at the time, and she I
think that movie was an important movie in her career
that kind of launched her more seriously. So, so the
when you're working for the choreographer and was Jock Cole
(07:44):
in that case, and she, Marilyn always loved him in
particular Jack Cole. Uh. But our job was not to
get caught up, and you know, looking at people was
to please the choreographer, and you know, do what we
were hired to do. So basically, in retrospect, once it
(08:05):
was after we've rehearsed and after we'd filled the number
filled to the number, it was after it was all
over and you've be kind of relaxed, you start to
reflect back on what it was like. And that's when
I started appreciated. I thought what I thought she was like.
And one of the things, you know, she was very,
(08:30):
very concentrated on her work. When they called cut for
any reason, she didn't go to her dressing room, she
didn't look in the mirror. She went right back to
her starting position to start again, just like we did.
So uh. And she was very quiet. So I never
engaged in any kind of conversation with it. But one
(08:52):
of my favorite credits is being able to say I
was one of the guys in that number behind Marilyn Monroe.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
I know, you know, I just I just watched White Christmas.
I watched White Christmas every year, and and I love
watching you dance in that. Once I knew that you
were in that, you know, I began to always watch
what you were doing in the in those dance numbers.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Well a lot of Christmas made a difference for me too,
because in the number that Rosie does called Lovey didn't
do right by me. In that number, there were just
four of us, so we were visible. And uh uh.
There was a spread in Life magazine on White Christmas,
to two page color spread, and there was a picture
(09:40):
of Rosie with the four of us around her. And
I got a lot of fan mail from that, and
it was from that that Paramount signed me to a contract.
So again I got lucky. You know you did.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I mean, I'm telling you how much life it's just
been amazing, how you've just been led on the right journey.
So God's really been blessed you. You entire life for sure,
for sure. So let's I mean, we can't we have
to talk about it. I mean, West Side Story is
one of my all time favorite films ever. And you know,
if somebody had told this little girl who sat in
(10:13):
the theater when I was really little watching West Side Story,
that someday I would not only meet George Shakiraz, but
then I would have the opportunity to interview him. I
would never have believed that. So this is like a
little girl, little girl's wish come true. So thank yoush.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Well, you know what what hearing you say that a
young girl who would respond to that film and the
theme of that film because it wasn't entertainment, it was
a serious piece. So it speaks well of you as
a young young girl too.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Well.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I always wanted to sing and dance on Broadway, so
that was one of my things when I was younger,
for sure. Yeah, so what led to tell us about
the story of how you ended up? Because you let's
talk about first that you played riff. Yes, I find
that hard to believe.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Actually, yeah, most people say that because, well, the work
for dancers here in Hollywood's kind of there was less
work because the television and things were changing. So that's
when I thought, well what I do? And I thought, well,
I guess I should go to New York. And that's
(11:25):
what I did. And I had a couple of friends,
one very good friend of mine, Drusilla, my best friend.
She had already made the move. So she was living
sharing a space with a girlfriend of hers, so I
could I could stay. I slept on the couch and
there living. When I got to New York side a
place to stay, I bought a one way ticket. I
(11:45):
couldn't for anyway. I got to New York and Drusilla
and her roommate was called called Marianne Maquay. And Marianne
worked for Roger L. Stevens, who was a huge New
York Broadway theater man, so they knew everything that was
going into New York. And what was going on was
(12:05):
West Side Stored, the original theater production was just coming
to its first year anniversary and they were going to
start a London company as well. So Mary and told
me to go to the Winter Garden Theater where west
I saw it was playing, and asked for Ruth Mitchell,
who was the stage manager at that time. So that's
(12:26):
what I did. One night, at the end of that performance,
I went to the stage door and I got to
meet Ruth Mitchell, who was very nice, and she looked
at me and she said, I think you should read
through Bernardo and so, and that was arranged for me
to audition for Jerry for the role of BERHARDO I
(12:47):
did that. I went to Jerry was working on Ballet's
USA at the Alvin Theater at the time, so I
saw him during his lunch break, and I was the
only person audition at that time of the day. Anyway,
he was gracious, he was I think the world of
this man. But then after I read for Bernard, he
(13:08):
asked me to look at the role of the Riff.
So I went back in the wings and looked at
the roll of Riff and came out and waked for Griff.
And then he asked me to to learn pool because
in the theater version, wool is sung by Riff. In
the theater it's sung by I say a Tucker Smith.
It was fantastic, right, that's such a great number in
(13:29):
the movie. I think it's the best number anyway. So
I learned cool and I came back on a disper
jury probably two more times. And on my birthday on
September sixteenth, nineteen fifty eight, Ruth Mitchell called me and
she told me I had the role of Riff in
the production in London. And that day I had seven
(13:54):
checks from my California unemployment thirty five dollars each, So
it was a yeah, that's and I loved playing Riff,
I really did it.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Yeah, So how did that? So then how did you
end up auditioning for the movie and how did let's
talk about that, But then how did that help you
end up playing Bernardo because you had played Riff? Did
that help you in your interpretation of Bernardo?
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Well? I don't know about interpretation, but because you know,
the the producers were audition is kids are lots of
young people and there were five of us in the
load of companies who got letters from the Night of
Artists saying to you know, to test us. And my
letter asked me to prepare a scene as Riff and
(14:46):
as scene as Bernardo. So one day the five of
us were driven off to Elst Studios outside of London
and we all did our respected tests and the course
of the day and we were on a high light
wow because we had heard We were so amazed that
we were being tested, because we had heard names like
(15:06):
Elvis Presley and Elizabeth Taylor, you know. So so so
we did those tests and a few weeks later Jerry
called me and said he said, we'd like tor test,
but we'd like to test you further because you got
to leave your absence of a week and come flight
to Los Angeles for another test, which I did, and
(15:26):
that second test in La I tested, I read as
Bernardo Riff didn't come into the picture anymoise, but but
it all started. I was one of many people considered
because I had already been associated the show for almost
a year, so it was just again of lucky.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. So let's fast forward to
the oscars about that like Oscar and let's talk about
faster night.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Wow, Well that was that was some nights. That was
some night. You know, it's always hard to explain what
it felt like. And I sort of decided if somebody
buys a lottery ticket, they really don't expect to win,
but the kind of hope that they might, that's what
(16:23):
it kind of feels like. And then at that moment
when they your name is called and you walk to
the stage to accept the award. Certainly Jones, who is
a good friend, gave it to me, but that's a
you're like, it's very hard to describe that feeling because
(16:44):
it's it's awesome as you're you're on a cloud. It's
it's an extraordinary. It's a wonderful feeling, of course, you know,
it's it's a it's a it's a high. And that
made it especially wonderful was that readA run. Friends. We
(17:05):
both got lucky, so it was a perfect night.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
You know, I can imagine we both gave the history
uh for the history books, the shortest, shortest Oscar exception
acceptance speech as ever, both of them.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Yeah, I know Riata kind of laughs about her as
too well, because we've learned since then how people accept
the wards and they thank everybody, you know, and they
go through a long list of everybody who they have
to thank. And it's nice that they do thank everybody
like that, But in those days, nobody thought of doing
(17:45):
it that way. It was a simpler thing. And uh,
in prospect, I wish I had at least thanked Jerry
Robins and Bob Wise.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
You know, yeah, your mind goes blank. I'm sure when
some thing like that happens that you were hoping for
but didn't expect, so that you know, it went a
great moment. I was blessed. Last year I met both
Rus Hamlin at the Turner Classic Movie Film Festival and
Rita Marino last year at the Santa Barbara International Film
Festival when she was here for a film that she
(18:18):
has called The Prank, and I got to meet her twice.
Actually she sat in front of me and we talked,
and then the next night she invited me to see
The Prank and I got to talk to her again.
So you know the trifecta here.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
Well, and you know, we've all remained We don't see
each other every day, but the West Side Story in
bog White, even Bogwis said the same thing. We've all
remained friends. And Bob said, because the girls always just
take Bob to launch once a week, or they did,
(18:53):
and Bob said, it's the only movie that he made
where they everybody remained close friends thereafter.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Yeah, that's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
So there was something about that experience. It was exceptional.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Now, yes, yes, both an exceptional movie. So that bonding
and the fact that you've already made friends says a
whole lot about the whole, the whole, the movie itself
and an experience. I want to talk about because one
of the things that you which was a highlight, and
besides winning the Oscar in the Golden Globe, was in
November of twenty twelve when you and Rita and Russ
(19:37):
Hamlin all had their hand and footprints in front of
the ground in Chinese theater. So let's and I've been
there for a couple of those ceremonies, unfortunately not yours,
But talk about that and also why it was so
significant for you that you know, the early part of
your career. Why that was so significant.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Well, I'll touch you. I keep forgetting, uh that the
thing that Garman's Uh you're at the fore court there
with all those fingers prints and stuff, taking class, my
first class at it again. It was at the America
American School events. It was on Hollywood Boulevard, and there
(20:18):
was a there were rooming houses. It's all changed now,
but rooming houses a little bit further down the Hollywood.
Billvard and I rented a room in a rooming house
and I used to clean the studios and walk the
mirrors and swoops the floors at the end of the
day at the school. And then I'd walk home and
I would pass Garments theater every night and I'd look
(20:41):
at these prints all by myself. But I mean, is
is that how fantastic? Is it? Two? No, I need
to get an oscar. But to do that too, it's
it's amazing to me. It's really is amazing to me.
And uh and and wonderful, you know, but it's it's
(21:03):
it's kind of it's thrilling.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Yeah, you're immortalized even more so by having your hand
and footprints there for generations to walk by and see.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
The likelihood of anything like that happening to anybody is
it's so rare. I guess it's just again I got lucky.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Yes, you have had a charmed life. Well, and I
know you've gone into jewelry making to it from the
silver screen to making silver jewelry. So can we talk
really quickly about that and where people can purchase some
of your jewelry?
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Okay, well, I have a heart. How I started, I
don't remember, but well I remember how I started, but
I don't remember why I started. But there was a
there's a wonderful school here in Los Angeles at Barnsall
that has courses in sculpting, painting, jewelry, making different things.
(22:00):
And I went for the jewelry and I and I
had such a great time. First of all, socially was
so much fun because there are other people who all
were wanting to do the same thing, and I got
really interested and taken up with the idea of making jewelry.
(22:21):
And in time I learned technically how to how to
do everything, you know, sculpting, looking and looking at wax, soldering,
all that stuff. So I was able to every piece
that I have in my in my collection the original
pace was actually made by me, you know, not by
(22:43):
someone else, just because I learned those technical skills.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Wonderful where people can go to Georgia cares dot com
if you want to purchase one of your beautiful pieces
and George foot and on and also people, George's out
of myography is my west Side Story. It's a memoir.
It's it's an easy read, a beautiful read. And you've
had such an extraordinary life. And thank you for being
(23:10):
on the show. I feel very honored and blessed to
have had a chance to meet you and author to
interview you. So thank you so much for taking the time.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Well, I feel the same, Thank you so much, Thank
you so much.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Thank thank you, George, take care, have a wonderful day.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Thank you to.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
All my wonderful loyal listeners. Your love of film allows
me to do what I do. If you want to
support me, the best way to do that is to
hit the subscribe button on the iHeart Podcast Network, Apple Podcast,
Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite
podcast and of course on YouTube. Subscribing matters if you
(23:46):
are feeling really compelled, I want to hear from you.
Have a burning question, comment or review, Drop me an
email at the Jamprice Show dot com. Thank you for
listening
Speaker 1 (23:59):
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