--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether it's Cyd Charisse and Fred…" description: "\"Whether it's Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire or 'West Side Story,' see it on the big screen. That's the way we should appreciate it.\" — George Chakiris" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/george-chakiris-26119_astaire_whether-it-s-cyd-charisse-and-fred-astai_1468203.png" --- # Whether it's Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire or 'West Side… ![“Whether it's Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire or 'West Side Story,' see it on the big screen. That's the way we should appreciate it.” quote by George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/george-chakiris-26119_astaire_whether-it-s-cyd-charisse-and-fred-astai_1468203.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/george-chakiris-26119_astaire_whether-it-s-cyd-charisse-and-fred-astai_1468203.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/george-chakiris-26119_astaire_whether-it-s-cyd-charisse-and-fred-astai_1468203.png) > “Whether it's Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire or 'West Side Story,' see it on the big screen. That's the way we should appreciate it.” [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Appreciate classic dance films for their artistry and cultural impact **In simple terms:** Enjoy classic dance movies for their art Key Takeaway Watch and discuss classic dance films Themes cinema dance culture Mood nostalgic reflective Type celebratory educational When to use this quote - movie night - film studies class - dance appreciation groups Key Concepts film history performance art nostalgia Questions to Reflect On - What makes classic dance films timeless? - How can we keep their legacy alive? A Different Perspective Modern cinema may lack the same choreography depth ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big screen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-screen/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) ## Related quotes > [I don't believe I was jinxed or hexed by winning an Academy Award in my first picture, 'West Side Story.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/i-don-t-believe-i-was-jinxed-or-hexed-by-winning-an-academy-award-in/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [Along with its enchanting and exquisite melodies, West Side Story has attitude and a tremendous amount of frenetic energy. It's emotional, theatrical and technical.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-vai/along-with-its-enchanting-and-exquisite-melodies-west-side-story-has/) [Steve Vai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-vai/) > [“If my mother was odd enough to crave a bubble bath at three in the morning, Dorothy was inventive enough to suggest adding broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/if-my-mother-was-odd-enough-to-crave-a-bubble-bath-at-three-in-the/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [In high school, my first thing ever was I played Tony in West Side Story when I was about 17. I was a really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-costanzo/in-high-school-my-first-thing-ever-was-i-played-tony-in-west-side/) [Paulo Costanzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-costanzo/) > [I got started as an actress doing musical theater, and I always loved 'Grease' and 'West Side Story,' and all those kind of movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-paxton/i-got-started-as-an-actress-doing-musical-theater-and-i-always-loved/) [Sara Paxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-paxton/) > [We would also go to musicals. So Singing In the Rain, On the Town, and West Side Story. Especially West Side Story because played…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisa-tomei/we-would-also-go-to-musicals-so-singing-in-the-rain-on-the-town-and/) [Marisa Tomei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisa-tomei/) > [In 1957, 'West Side Story' had introduced the musical to the reckless dark side of teen-age life; 'Bye Bye Birdie,' set in Sweet Apple,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lahr/in-1957-west-side-story-had-introduced-the-musical-to-the-reckless/) [John Lahr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lahr/) > [I've always loved going to see Broadway shows. I've seen 'em all: Rent, Chorus Line, Cats, West Side Story, Guys & Dolls, Wicked, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-showalter/i-ve-always-loved-going-to-see-broadway-shows-i-ve-seen-em-all-rent/) [Michael Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-showalter/) > [In my youth, cinemas showed two films in one day. I used to watch both of them. It may sound strange, but 'West Side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ennio-morricone/in-my-youth-cinemas-showed-two-films-in-one-day-i-used-to-watch-both/) [Ennio Morricone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ennio-morricone/) > [I've always wanted to play Maria in West Side Story. My idol is Natalie Wood, and I love the movie, so I think a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-hudgens/i-ve-always-wanted-to-play-maria-in-west-side-story-my-idol-is/) [Vanessa Hudgens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-hudgens/) > [I sing seriously to my mom on the phone. To put her to sleep, I have to sing 'Maria' from West Side Story. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-sandler/i-sing-seriously-to-my-mom-on-the-phone-to-put-her-to-sleep-i-have-to/) [Adam Sandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-sandler/) > [I was a Spanish dancer. I don't mean to put that down, because that was great, too, but nothing like the kind of dancing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-moreno/i-was-a-spanish-dancer-i-don-t-mean-to-put-that-down-because-that-was/) [Rita Moreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-moreno/) > ['West Side Story' is one of the greatest theatrical experiences I've had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tiffany/west-side-story-is-one-of-the-greatest-theatrical-experiences-i-ve-had/) [John Tiffany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tiffany/) > [I was probably seven or eight when I first watched 'West Side Story.' The film - and 'Dance with Me' with Vanessa Williams and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariana-debose/i-was-probably-seven-or-eight-when-i-first-watched-west-side-story/) [Ariana DeBose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariana-debose/) > [The Tonys ignored West Side Story. The Tonys ignored Gypsy. It's a kind of public humiliation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/the-tonys-ignored-west-side-story-the-tonys-ignored-gypsy-it-s-a-kind/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) ## More by George Chakiris > [I can go into any working circumstance and, simply, I'm prepared to deal with the work. It was a long, hard lesson I learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/i-can-go-into-any-working-circumstance-and-simply-i-m-prepared-to/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/no-matter-how-dark-the-moment-love-and-hope-are-always-possible/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [It's kind of wild and wonderful that 'West Side Story' continues to have a life after all these years. And when you see young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/it-s-kind-of-wild-and-wonderful-that-west-side-story-continues-to/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [One of my favorite credits is to say that I worked behind Marilyn Monroe, and I love saying that. She was phenomenal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/one-of-my-favorite-credits-is-to-say-that-i-worked-behind-marilyn/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [It sounds corny to say, but we're like a family. That experience for all of us really created a bond... The 'West Side Story'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/it-sounds-corny-to-say-but-we-re-like-a-family-that-experience-for/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [I don't believe I was jinxed or hexed by winning an Academy Award in my first picture, 'West Side Story.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/i-don-t-believe-i-was-jinxed-or-hexed-by-winning-an-academy-award-in/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [I don't regret 'West Side Story' one bit. It was an incredible movie full of young people with amazing rapport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/i-don-t-regret-west-side-story-one-bit-it-was-an-incredible-movie/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [After I finished working on the movie, I went back into the show again playing Riff, so it was an incredible time because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/after-i-finished-working-on-the-movie-i-went-back-into-the-show-again/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [I had a recording contract with Capitol Records. I loved recording and being in that studio. I made four albums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/i-had-a-recording-contract-with-capitol-records-i-loved-recording-and/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [A lot of people know that I danced, but I also sang.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/a-lot-of-people-know-that-i-danced-but-i-also-sang/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [Steven Spielberg is a talented, wonderful filmmaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/steven-spielberg-is-a-talented-wonderful-filmmaker/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [Her imagination is rich and vibrant. I have a great love and respect for Rita.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/her-imagination-is-rich-and-vibrant-i-have-a-great-love-and-respect/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [I absolutely loved Jerome Robbins. We were all so lucky to be in the same room with this man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/i-absolutely-loved-jerome-robbins-we-were-all-so-lucky-to-be-in-the/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [I made movies with some very nice people, experienced actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/i-made-movies-with-some-very-nice-people-experienced-actors/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [You don't stop when a musical number comes up and do the number and then take up the scene where you left off. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/you-don-t-stop-when-a-musical-number-comes-up-and-do-the-number-and/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) [Explore all 22 George Chakiris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) ## More Astaire quotes > [I think, however, that Astaire's coordination is better than Kelly's... his sense of rhythm is uncanny. Kelly, on the other hand, is the stronger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-think-however-that-astaire-s-coordination-is-better-than-kelly-s/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [As a dancer, obviously, we are all inspired by Michael Jackson, and I always looked up to Gene Kelly. He was a bigger version…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maksim-chmerkovskiy/as-a-dancer-obviously-we-are-all-inspired-by-michael-jackson-and-i/) [Maksim Chmerkovskiy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maksim-chmerkovskiy/) > [Obviously, Fred Astaire was a legend. I've tried to copy some of his movements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-moir/obviously-fred-astaire-was-a-legend-i-ve-tried-to-copy-some-of-his/) [Scott Moir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-moir/) > [ “Sure, \[Fred Astaire\] was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything that he did… backwards and in high heels.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-thaves/sure-fred-astaire-was-great-but-don-t-forget-that-ginger-rogers-did/) Robert Thaves > [I felt Michael Jackson was inspired a little bit more from the elegance of a Fred Astaire. Michael loved Sammy Davis, Jr. and James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-ortega/i-felt-michael-jackson-was-inspired-a-little-bit-more-from-the/) [Kenny Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-ortega/) > [I guess the only jewels of my life were the pictures I made with Fred Astaire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-hayworth/i-guess-the-only-jewels-of-my-life-were-the-pictures-i-made-with-fred/) [Rita Hayworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-hayworth/) > [If Fred Astaire is the Cary Grant of dance, I'm the Marlon Brando.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kelly/if-fred-astaire-is-the-cary-grant-of-dance-i-m-the-marlon-brando/) [Gene Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kelly/) > [I wish I was born in that era: dancing with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, going to work at the studio dressed in beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-zeta-jones/i-wish-i-was-born-in-that-era-dancing-with-fred-astaire-and-gene/) [Catherine Zeta-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-zeta-jones/) > [There comes a day when people begin to say, 'Why doesn't that old duffer retire?' I want to get out while they're still saying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-astaire/there-comes-a-day-when-people-begin-to-say-why-doesn-t-that-old/) [Fred Astaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-astaire/) > [Fred Astaire was my dream dancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-reynolds/fred-astaire-was-my-dream-dancer/) [Debbie Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-reynolds/) > [I thought Fred Astaire was the most chic man. I loved the way he dressed. Never mind his dancing, which was beyond - he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-allen-mellen/i-thought-fred-astaire-was-the-most-chic-man-i-loved-the-way-he/) [Polly Allen Mellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-allen-mellen/) > [Did any artist ever bring more pure joy to more people than Fred Astaire?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kroll/did-any-artist-ever-bring-more-pure-joy-to-more-people-than-fred/) [Jack Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kroll/) > [Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-whittlesey/remember-ginger-rogers-did-everything-fred-astaire-did-but-backwards/) Faith Whittlesey > [Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor - those were my idols. All I ever wanted to be was a motion picture song-and-dance man. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-berry/fred-astaire-gene-kelly-donald-o-connor-those-were-my-idols-all-i/) [Ken Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-berry/) > [“She'd always imagined an autumn wedding: russet leaves and black velvets and dancing to Fred Astaire.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-gaynor/she-d-always-imagined-an-autumn-wedding-russet-leaves-and-black/) [Hazel Gaynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-gaynor/) Browse all 85 Astaire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whether it's Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire or 'West Side Story,' see it on the big screen. 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