Description: WEST SIDE STORY: This "brilliant" (The New Republic) film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and scripted by Ernest Lehman, the film combines Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s unforgettable score ("Maria," "America," "Somewhere," "Tonight") with Robbins’ own exuberant choreography to achieve an exhilarating "work of art" (Saturday Review). A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry of two street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (Richard Beymer) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of the Sharks leader, it’s more than these two warring gangs can handle. And as mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues, and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: "An outstanding accomplishment in every category" (Boxoffice), this lavishly produced and critically acclaimed screen adaptation of the international stage sensation tells the life-affirming story of Tevye (Topol), a poor milkman whose love, pride and faith help him face the oppression of turn-of-the century czarist Russia. Nominated for eight Academy Awards®, including Best Picture and Best Director, and featuring such classic songs as "If I Were A Rich Man," "Matchmaker" and "Sunrise, Sunset," Fiddler on the Roof is a universal story of hope, love and acceptance – a "stunning, joyful and jubilant" (New York Daily News) musical masterpiece. GUYS AND DOLLS: Hollywood legends Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blain (from the original Broadway cast) are dazzling in this Frank Loesser (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) masterpiece, unleashing a "spectacular, song-and-dance show that's loaded with entertainment" (New York Journal-American). Featuring hits like "Luck Be a Lady" and "A Woman in Love," this smash film version of one of Broadway's most popular musicals is guaranteed, rip-roaring "four-star entertainment" (New York Daily News). The slickest big-time New York City gamblers, Sky Masterson (Brando) and Nathan Detroit (Sinatra), can't resist making or taking a bet on anything. So when a pretty missionary (Simmons) sets up shop in the neighborhood, Nathan stakes a grand that Sky can't seduce her. But all bets are off when Sky falls madly in love in this romantic musical spectacular that sets the Big Apple afire with excitement!
Awesome Collection This was a great purchase. All of the movies are so clear and look wonderful. These are a few of the best american classics. Certainly a worthy buy!
Great Collection Love all three musicals! Great for those just beginning to build a collection of movie musicals.
Great buy Three really great musical movies in one package, how can you go wrong? A permanent addition to my DVD collection.
Buyer Beware! I returned this boxed set to Amazon for a refund because the 3 films inside are not as advertised on the Sony/Columbia website. All 3 films are supposed to be in anamorphic widescreen, but only 1 of them (FIDDLER ON THE ROOF) actually is. GUYS AND DOLLS is still the same old "letterbox" version, and they put the awful pan-and-scan fullscreen version of WEST SIDE STORY in this box. If you're a collector like me, you will not want to see WSS in pan-and-scan. This film won 10 Oscars--one of them for its innovative widescreen cinematography. This product is not as advertised, and Sony/Columbia should know that they can't pull a fast one like this. Please join me in boycotting this collection until they give us what they promised. Thanks.
UPDATE: 12/13/07--Good news! These 3 titles have now been repackaged along with 3 other titles, and all 6 are in widescreen. Check it out: MGM Classic Musicals (West Side Story/Guys and Dolls/Fiddler on the Roof/A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum/How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying/Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). Enjoy!
AMERICAN MOVIE MUSICALS COLLECTION I purchased this collection ONLY because GUYS AND DOLLS is advertised as ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN 2.35:1 which is NOT correct. The back of the box even gives this erroneous information. This is the same LETTERBOXED (non-Anamorphic) transfer in the original single disc MGM DVD release. This is FALSE advertisement. WEST SIDE STORY is a 4:3 PAN and SCAN version. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is correctly advertised as ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN 2,35:1. I know the price is superb for these three classic musicals, but I already own ALL of these in WIDESCREEN, and I really wanted GUYS AND DOLLS with a new ANAMORPHIC transfer. I am planning to return the set. SHAME ON YOU MGM and SONY PICTURES DVD for the attempt to fool the public with this release.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
