West Side Story (film) Wise's dazzling direction, Leonard Bernstein's score, and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics, "West Side Story" remains perhaps the most iconic of all the Shakespeare adaptations to visit the big screen." The film earned $19,645,000 in North American rentals. Because of profit participation, United Artists earned a profit of $2.5 million on the film. Its ten Academy Awards make it the musical film with the most Academy wins, including Best Picture. Three other films ("Ben-Hur", "Titanic" and "") won 11 Oscars, but they were not musical films. Awards American Film Institute lists: The film's cast appeared and was honored at the 50th anniversary
Rope (1959 film) Rope (1959 film) Rope is a 1959 Australian TV play based on the play by Patrick Hamilton. It was part of "Shell Presents". Two friends, Charles and Wyndham, murder someone for fun. The play was adapted by American actor-playwright John Glennon who also played one of the lead roles. Sydney model Feil Wittman made her acting debut as Simone. The "Sydney Morning Herald" critic praised "John Glennon' s clever, perceptive and highly mannered performance... and the tensions which producer Rod Kinnear was able to generate by some thoughtful camera work, and some very skilful organisation on a large and attractive