Question: During the war council, when Schrute shows up and starts harassing Bernardo, why does Riff look upset? If he hates the Sharks he should be enjoying that. Am I correct to see some hidden meaning, or am I overthinking it?
Super Grover
30th Sep 2019
West Side Story (1961)
29th Sep 2019
West Side Story (1961)
Question: During the war council when Krupke shows up, how does he know where the gangs were? They didn't have cars, so how did he track them down?
Answer: Officer Krupke and his partner pulled up in the squad car in front of Doc's earlier that night and asked the Jets why they were all there blocking the sidewalk, then mentioned that he knew they were cooking up something at the dance, and warned that he's coming back. Later, during the war council it's Lieutenant Schrank who shows up at Doc's. So how did Schrank know to show up there? Krupke could've told Schrank something may be going on at Doc's involving the two gangs.
1st Jun 2016
West Side Story (1961)
Question: In the original musical of West Side Story, the song "Officer Krupke" is sung some time after the rumble when Riff was killed. Why was it changed to before the rumble?
Answer: Actually there were a number of changes made in the movie adaptation compared to the original stage version. There were cuts, new additions, and changes to music, lyrics, dialogue, and characters. A few of the musical numbers were switched around because it was felt the storyline flowed better on screen, for different reasons. Some examples are "Gee, Officer Krupke" and "I Feel Pretty" which are cheerful, light-hearted songs and were moved to before "The Rumble", and "Cool" was moved to after "The Rumble" which gives that song's lyrics gravitas.
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Answer: As Riff succinctly put it the rumble challenge is for, "All out, once and for all." After Riff and Bernardo have already agreed to the terms and shook hands, that's when Schrank shows up. So when Schrank makes the comment about a "stinkin' pigsty" and Bernardo angrily jumps up, Riff and Ice help restrain Bernardo and his temper in order to benefit their own interests. Riff would not outwardly show that he is enjoying anything that Schrank is saying. Riff's motivation is to eliminate the Sharks from their turf permanently, and he believes the next day's rumble will accomplish this, so they cannot have Bernardo get into it with Schrank (who is shown to make nasty disparaging comments to members of both gangs). Note that before Bernardo leaves he straightens his jacket, and turns around to face Riff, who subtly nods to him.
Super Grover ★