West Side Story, Guys And Dolls, De-Lovely New DVD

Musical triple-bill. In 'West Side Story' (1961), a neighbourhood on New York's West Side provides the setting for a love affair between Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), a couple of kids caught on opposite sides of a gang war. Maria is the sister of Bernardo (George Chakiris), leader of the Sharks, and Tony is the best friend of Riff (Russ Tamblyn), leader of the Jets. The two gangs are sworn enemies, and nothing Maria or Tony can say will dissuade them from the violence which leads to the film's heartbreaking finale. 'Guys and Dolls' (1955) is a romantic gangster musical starring Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. Nathan Detroit (Sinatra) is a New York gambler who needs $1000 in order to stage a big game during the Prohibition era. To get the money, he issues a typically enigmatic challenge to master gambler Sky Masterson (Brando): he must dine with a puritanical Salvation Army girl (Jean Simmons) - and the dinner must be in held in Cuba. Masterson wins the bet and also falls for the girl. Finally, 'De-Lovely' is based on the life of crooner Cole Porter, played by Kevin Kline. Porter's elegant, excessive past is brought to life, including his deeply complicated relationship with his wife and muse, Linda Lee Porter (Ashley Judd). Popular hits such as 'Anything Goes', 'It's De-Lovely' and 'Night and Day' are performed by contemporary stars including Robbie Williams, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow and Elvis Costello.