Verbal Diorama Verbal Diorama

West Side Story's origins as a Tony award-winning stage musical based on Romeo and Juliet meant it was ripe for a film adaptation. Stage director and choreographer Jerome Robbins was set to co-direct with Oscar-winning director Robert Wise; it would be written for the screen by Ernest Lehman, retaining the beautiful score, songs and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.
Wise would direct the dramatic scenes, and Robbins the musical sequences, in a lavish, expensive adaptation, shot on 70mm film.
Robbins was a notorious perfectionist, often making the dancers vomit due to exhaustion and dehydration, injuries on set were rife, and his repeat takes meant the production ended up almost a month behind schedule. Those weren't the only issues, though; the actors playing Puerto Ricans were forced to wear brownface, and Natalie Wood, who played Maria, despised her co-star Richard Beymer, who played Tony.
Robbins was unceremoniously fired from the production, but his contribution would lead to him receiving a co-director credit, and an Oscar win.
West Side Story would win 10 out of the 11 Oscars it was nominated for, including Best Supporting Actress for Rita Moreno, the first Latina to win an Academy Award.
Moreno would return to West Side Story sixty years later, as an executive producer on Steven Spielberg's new lavish adaptation of the original stage musical, as well as starring in a new role as Valentina. Gone were the brownface and white actors playing Puerto Ricans. A contemporary story from the early 60s about bigotry and xenophobia, patriotism and cultural divides would become a period piece about bigotry and xenophobia, patriotism and cultural divides, and a long-time passion project for Spielberg.
Its release would be postponed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but while it would lead to a box office disappointment, it would also lead to the first Afro-Latina, and first queer woman of colour, to win an Academy Award; for the same role that Rita Moreno played sixty years prior...
I would love to hear your thoughts on West Side Story (1961) & West Side Story (2021) !
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ABOUT VERBAL DIORAMA
Verbal Diorama is hosted, produced, edited, researched, recorded and marketed by me, Em | This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song. Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe. Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio
Patrons: Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern,...

The Italian Job (1969) is the epitome of what would become Cool Britannia. It celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, and has lost none of its Britishness. In fact, for the quintessentially British cult classic, they had to have the cool car of the 1960s youth - the Mini - for the quintessential British heist.
Setting the film in Turin also gave them the bonus of having access to Fiat's locations and vehicles. Fiat and the city of Turin were incredibly welcoming to the production, despite all the chaos caused by filming. Fiat would also offer a huge cash incentive to swap the British Leyland Minis for Fiat 500s. Obviously that never happened!
While it would flop in the US, The Italian Job remains an icon of cinema in the UK, and although Paramount insisted the movie was in debt, they were still keen to remake it in 2003...
The Italian Job (2003) would show a character watching The Italian Job, while having characters named after characters from The Italian Job, and referencing "The Italian Job" as the inspiration for their own heist that's remarkably similar to The Italian Job's Italian Job, without being an Italian Job that's actually set in an Italian city. You'd think its writing team had never seen the original before... and you'd be correct!
This version of The Italian Job would have its own pioneering stunts though, including the creation of the first ever electric powered BMW MINIs...
I would love to hear your thoughts on The Italian Job (1969) & The Italian Job (2003) !
CONTACT....
Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review
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ABOUT VERBAL DIORAMA
Verbal Diorama is hosted, produced, edited, researched, recorded and marketed by me, Em | This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song. Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe. Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio
Patrons: Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather, Danny, Aly, Stu, Brett, Philip, Michele, Xenos, Sean, Ryno & Russell!
Special Thanks to: Ben Marchini
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Livestream for the Cure 8
The 8th annual Livestream for the Cure takes place between 29th May to 1st June 2024, with indie content creators (including myself!) from across the world taking part and raising money to help...

After Night of the Living Dead, George Romero branched out, not wanting to be typecast as a zombie movie director. It was a tour of the Monroeville Mall that put the idea in his head, of a satire about consumerism. He would quickly have a rough idea in his head, a follow-up venture into the world of the undead.
Romero and his producer Richard P. Rubinstein started the process of procuring US investors for his new zombie movie, but no one showed any interest. No one in the US anyway.
Romero's friend Dario Argento would not only give him a place to write the movie in Rome; he'd also help him secure financing for Dawn of the Dead, but Romero would have to give him distribution rights to the non-English version of the movie, and the freedom to edit his own cut in return...
Fast-forward to a post 9/11 early 2000s, and producers Eric Newman and Marc Abraham approached Rubinstein with their vision of a reimagining of Dawn of the Dead. Rubinstein had never granted the remake rights before, but there was something about their pitch that won him over. James Gunn would step up to write, and a young Zack Snyder would get his feature directorial debut...
I would love to hear your thoughts on Dawn of the Dead (1978) & Dawn of the Dead (2004) !
CONTACT....
Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review
Join the Patreon | Send a Tip | Buy Merch
ABOUT VERBAL DIORAMA
Verbal Diorama is hosted, produced, edited, researched, recorded and marketed by me, Em | This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song. Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe. Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio
Patrons: Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather, Danny, Aly, Stu, Brett, Philip, Michele, Xenos, Sean, Ryno and Russell!
Mentioned in this episode:
Livestream for the Cure 8
The 8th annual Livestream for the Cure takes place between 29th May to 1st June 2024, with indie content creators (including myself!) from across the world taking part and raising money to help in our fight for a world immune to cancer. Donate at livestreamforthecure.com and tune in at https://www.twitch.tv/livestreamforthecure.

Release the Kraken! Twice!
Clash of the Titans had been an idea since the late 1950s, with writer Beverley Cross writing a treatment in 1969 called Perseus and the Gorgon's Head. At the time, producer Charles H. Schneer and legendary animator Ray Harryhausen were working on other films, and so what became Clash of the Titans would have to wait until 1977 to start pre-production.
It would eventually release in 1981 and include not only one of Harryhausen's most memorable creatures, Medusa, but also signal the beginning of the end of his career. Clash of the Titans would be his final film, in part thanks to a scathing review.
Clash of the Titans would inevitably be remade one day, and that remake fell to Louis Leterrier, and new writers Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, using an original script by Travis Beacham based on Cross' original script.
Updated to modern audiences' needs for big budgets, big-name actors and huge CG spectacle, Warner Bros would notice the huge 3D revolution started by James Cameron's Avatar, and decided to convert Clash of the Titans to 3D in post-production...
I would love to hear your thoughts on Clash of the Titans (1981) & Clash of the Titans (2010) !
CONTACT....
Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review
Join the Patreon | Send a Tip | Buy Merch
ABOUT VERBAL DIORAMA
Verbal Diorama is hosted, produced, edited, researched, recorded and marketed by me, Em | This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song. Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe. Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio
Patrons: Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather, Danny, Aly, Stu, Brett, Philip, Michele, Xenos, Sean, Ryno and Russell!
Mentioned in this episode:
Livestream for the Cure 8
The 8th annual Livestream for the Cure takes place between 29th May to 1st June 2024, with indie content creators (including myself!) from across the world taking part and raising money to help in our fight for a world immune to cancer. Donate at livestreamforthecure.com and tune in at https://www.twitch.tv/livestreamforthecure.

64 years ago, The Flintstones became the first ever animated prime time sitcom in the US, and 30 years ago, the live-action film was released.
A live action adaptation of The Flintstones first came about in 1985, but it wouldn't be 'til Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment acquired the rights in 1992 that the project started moving forward, but by that point eight writers had already had a crack at the script...
Once Spielberg, and mega fan director Brian Levant, got involved, many more writers would have a pass, but only three would ever be credited for their work after the Writer's Guild of America got involved.
Credit to the team of writers behind The Flintstones...
Steven E. de SouzaDaniel GoldinJoshua GoldinPeter Martin WortmannRobert ConteMitch MarkowitzJeffrey RenoRon OsbourneMichael J. WilsonJim JenneweinTom S. ParkerGary RossAl AidekmanCindy BegelLloyd GarverDavid SilvermanStephen SustarsicNancy SteenNeil ThompsonBrian LevantRob DamesLenny RippsFred Fox Jr.Dava SavelLon DiamondDavid RichardsonRoy TeicherRichard GurmanMichael J. DigaetanoRuth BennettLowell GanzBabaloo Mandel
That's 32 writers. 29 of which never received credit.
This movie has incredible production design, set design, costumes, puppet work and casting. It does not deserve to be as derided as it is. Let's celebrate The Flintstones! Yabba dabba doo!
I would love to hear your thoughts on The Flintstones (1994) !
CONTACT....
Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review
Join the Patreon | Send a Tip | Buy Merch
ABOUT VERBAL DIORAMA
Verbal Diorama is hosted, produced, edited, researched, recorded and marketed by me, Em | This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song. Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe. Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio
Patrons: Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather, Danny, Aly, Stu, Brett, Philip, Michele, Xenos, Sean, Ryno and Russell!
Mentioned in this episode:
Livestream for the Cure 8
The 8th annual Livestream for the Cure takes place between 29th May to 1st...

The history and legacy of Shakespeare in Love is long-winded and complicated, but how is it that a movie can be wholly and completely tarnished by one man?
I don't know. It's a mystery.
From its beginnings as a project for Universal starring Julia Roberts, to it being shut down after spending $6 million and losing Julia Roberts, to being resurrected in the worst possible way by actual real-life villain Harvey Weinstein; the story of Shakespeare in Love has comedy, romance and tragedy, just like an actual Shakespeare play.
Nowadays its mostly known as being the "unworthy" winner of the Best Picture Academy Award in 1999, beating Saving Private Ryan, in an unprecedented marketing and bad-mouthing campaign that changed awards season.
Was Saving Private Ryan really "robbed" of its Best Picture Oscar? Or were more Academy voters just charmed by a period romantic comedy than a war epic that year? I guess we'll never truly know the answer, other than it ends as stories must when love's denied; with tears and a journey.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Shakespeare in Love !
CONTACT....
Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com
SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review
Join the Patreon | Send a Tip | Buy Merch
ABOUT VERBAL DIORAMA
Verbal Diorama is hosted, produced, edited, researched, recorded and marketed by me, Em | This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.
Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song. Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe. Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio
Patrons: Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather, Danny, Aly, Stu, Brett, Philip, Michele, Xenos, Sean, Ryno and BRAND-NEW PATRON Russell!
Mentioned in this episode:
Livestream for the Cure 8
The 8th annual Livestream for the Cure takes place between 29th May to 1st June 2024, with indie content creators (including myself!) from across the world taking part and raising money to help in our fight for a world immune to cancer. Donate at livestreamforthecure.com and tune in at https://www.twitch.tv/livestreamforthecure.