Rita Moreno vs Hollywood: The Other "West Side Story" Rumble
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- Опубликовано: 11 дек 2021
- I want to show you why I'm obsessed with Rita Moreno and you should be too. This is the story of how a little girl from a jungle cottage in Puerto Rico left home with dreams of becoming a movie star, how powerful men in showbiz stood in her way for decades, and how she overcame them and became an international star and producer of the new adaptation of West Side Story - a musical about immigrants much like her.
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Be Kind Rewind's video about Rita Moreno and Overcoming "Otherness": • Rita Moreno and Overco...
Watch the Rita Moreno documentary: amzn.to/30o2Zvy
Watch West Side Story: amzn.to/3dYYmLH
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Watch the Terrence McNally documentary: amzn.to/3ENONuN
Read Rita Moreno's memoir: amzn.to/3EPKaQG 
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As a Puerto Rican, we do not “immigrate” nor are we immigrants. “We move” to the mainland, Puerto Rico is part of the American Gov, we have American Passports and are given American Social Security cards. We have been Americans since 1800’s
1899, with the ratification of the Treaty of Paris ending the Spanish-American War. And while you're correct that Puerto Ricans are just as much US citizens as Virginians or Rhode Islanders, "immigrate" doesn't always mean "move to another country." That is the most common definition, but not the only one.
* since 1917
Prior to 1917 (when the USA was getting into World War I and needed more potential soldiers), the people of Puerto Rico had been US nationals _but not_ citizens ... confusing, admittedly. Somewhere along the late 1930s/early 1940s (it's a series of different acts and SCOTUS decisions, so it's hard to pin down a specific date), it was more or less made retroactive in that any Puerto Rican born after April 11, 1899, had US citizenship.
@@gregoryeatroff8608 Puerto Ricans aren't immigrants. They're citizens so they don't immigrate. Saying folks from the PR immigrate to the US is a way to other them from folks born on the mainland.
@@vikkitaggart7454 once again, the most common definition of "immigrant" specifies moving to a new country, but not all of them do. I said Puerto Ricans are just as much citizens as Virginians are. Since you're not actually going to address any points I made, I'm wasting bandwidth talking to you.
@@gregoryeatroff8608 I think you are confusing 'emigrate' and 'immigrate.'
Emigrate means to leave one location, such as one's native country or region, to live in another.
Immigrate means to move into a non-native country or region to live.
She emigrated from Puerto Rico to New York. She is not an immigrant.
Despite her longevity and all the awards she's won, I feel like Moreno has been very underappreciated by society.
She's the definition of a trailblazer. And her hard work and dedication has kept her relevant in a situation where most individuals would have just faded away.
I'm so glad to see the success of 2021's WEST SIDE STORY and the attention she's gaining for it!
I would be so pleased to see her journey come full circle by winning another Oscar in a few months.
She's marvelous...
Agreed. Even with all the recognition she has, she is still underrated. ❤️
Michael Oberg I have always felt like you do too. She may have received awards and accolades, but I always felt like she was under appreciated as well. My first experiences with this lil spitfire was as a small child watching her on The Electric Company with another powerhouse in Morgan Freeman. 😊👍
Valentina is the widow of Doc, the original Drug Store owner (who was played by Ned Glass in the 1961 original film version of "West Side Story"); it joined two generations (the 1950's (even though the film came out in the early 1960's) and the current/present day, in 2021.
@@kshinokevin thank you for the interesting trivia!
@@kshinokevin Yup...how's that for "full circle"?
In a perfect and tidy world, Moreno would still make history by getting an Oscar nomination (followed by a win) for this performance.
And after being able to remain so relevant after all these years with so many odds against her, she deserves one more big recognition!
Not to mention how she was forced to tolerate the unintended but blatant racism surrounding the 1961 version...
Honestly, one of the great highlights of my career in production was getting to work on a commercial with Rita Moreno. She was such a delight, had time for *everyone* and their stories, and genuinely put a smile on everyone’s life. And MAN could she turn it on on stage. What a performer and genuinely positive light in the world.
😮
What commercial were you in with her?
@@alexisgarcia1344 I was on the hair team for a Target ad she was part of for the Latin Billboard Awards.
@@AlexanderTome NICE!!
Wow that is so cool. Man I wish someday I could meet her. I just love her.
"I finally got to play someone who had an opinion!"
I hate the circumstances that led to this low standard for a character, but I love her wording there.
It reminds me of how Natascha McElhone said she was excited to play her role in Ronin because she got to play a character who "moved the action forward". The bar is sadly on the floor.
On the subject of Rita asserting herself. One major thing I love is a request she made for her recent role as the grandmother in One Day at a Time. What she wanted was for the character to be allowed to be sexual. Her request was granted.
Over her career she went from playing stereotypical exotic island girls roles solely intended to titilate white male audiences against her will to playing a grandmother who is overtly sexual on her own terms past the age society and Hollywood says people are supposed to be seen as and allowed to present themselves as sexual.
X
To be fair, older women have long been allowed to be sexual on sitcoms. Look at the grandma on Who's the Boss, The Nanny or the Golden Girls.
@@romaneros4583 3 out of 10 thousand does not make it "allowable"
@@romaneros4583 "The grandma on ... Golden Girls": who, Dorothy's mother Sophia? Btw actress Rue McLanahan at GG start was just age 51 ... 14 years shy of being a "senior citizen." So GG's "Golden" was, over age 50.
Icon.
The fact that West Side Story doesn't need an update is a pretty scathing indictment of American culture- every word of "America" is as relevant now as it was then.
That said, bless Rita Moreno. She is a true powerhouse, a treasure, an icon.
...and so the question is...are you bitter?? LMAO
@@gerrywithagee1670 I mean, who wouldn't be? "12 in a room in America" is still pretty relevant. Have you seen how high rent is lately?
Well, it did get a couple of very slight updates, a lot of which were fixes from the Hayes code era (and also Anybodys), but they were all pretty positively received, and I think they improved the film
I played music at her Birthday party in Berkeley/Oakland Hills about 15 years ago. When I was done I left quietly while the party continued. The next morning she called me up and said Thank You and was so sweet and asked me why I didn't say goodbye. There were so many people there and I was just a small part of the party so I snuck out! Classy Lady.
That's so sweet! What class, I wish I had that level of care
You too, were classy.
I adore this woman for so many reasons. And for years I was that "you DO know Rita Moreno is an EGOT member" guy until someone told me a year or so ago "Actually she is a PEGOT member." She got a Career Achievement Peabody in 2019. It was truly a clutch moment.
Rita Moreno can GET IT
she just turned 90...yesterday
she has more energy than most 20 year olds
she took the part on electric company for her daughter
her agent told her that it would kill her career and she would be labeled a kid's entertainer....instead, it introduced her to a brand new generation and lengthened and expanded her career
Rita Moreno, Barbara Eden, Angie dickinson and William shatner all have turned 90 this year. From Ms. Harper Stacey.
The day after WSS premiered - such a great birthday gift. This video says she was born in 1939 but it was 1931. She's still so convivial! Inspiring. Holding onto this treasure today especially after another icon just passed yesterday (The great Betty White).
90 and still working. Amazing lady. 80 For Brady.
I feel like dancing is the best sport to keep you young and healthu
Rita Moreno's Carmen Sandiego was one of my favorite characters as a kid, up there with Kevin Conroy's Batman. She's just a fantastic anti-villain for the show.
I love that character!!😍❤️
"She slapped a cop and told them to get a warrant."
A QUEEN.
I appreciate you saying Rita Hayworth passing as "non -Hispanic" instead of passing as white, lots of Latin Americans are white.
The scene in One Day at a Time is the best. As someone who isnt Christian myself, I've always wondered why more people dont come to that conclusion. It seems so simple. "God doesn't make mistakes." And "the Pope is the voice of god and said he is not to judge." I hope that scene has helped others come to the see the silly contradictions in their prejudices.
That scene should be realistic but the joke was in how fast she changed her mind. Sadly a lot of people aren't willing to re-examine their prejudices for those they love and would rather sacrifice those they love to retain their prejudice.
I loved it too because my mother said those same words to me but in a different tone (Meaning it couldn’t be right since god doesn’t make mistakes). While I said the part about the pope to her. We are still working it out. She never rejected me or kicked me out since I have always been odd and she treats me as always even if she is still working it out. But seeing a grandma like Rita made me think my grandpa, had he been alive, would have accepted me or probably known long before my parents did. It is lovely to see elders supporting young lgbt+ youngsters not because it is easier for us now but because they are family.
It only bugs me that they always cut the punchline when talking about that scene, she turns to Penelope Smiling & asks her "so when's the parade?"
As a super queer person brought up in the Church who still loves God, this is truly the gospel. God doesn't make mistakes.
oh my goodness the first few notes of "Somewhere" from Rita gave me full body chills and i nearly cried! It's so special to hear that!
One of the most fantastic teaser trailers ever...when the whistling faded out and Somewhere started up I got chills...
I saw a preview showing of it in IMAX last Thursday. Half the audience (including myself) was weeping.
One of my most joyous experiments was being in a church and the minister talked about "Somewhere" and pointed out that it was in a story by a gay playwright, lyrics by a gay songwriter, and music by a bisexual composer...
Maybe there could be a place for them, too.
I had never felt so included before.
OMG, I just got there and am covered in goosebumps!
I did cry!
EGOT BAY-BEE! she's so rad! didn't know she voiced muppets. that's so cool!
i didn't know anything about her! I don't live in the US though and only knew westside story as the "movie with all the brownface". after watching this i am in love now:) So cool to get these videos and learn about influential Hollywood folks who blazed a trail for others!
I've never seen The Ritz and I'm going to change that right now.
Estarting here. Estarting now.
Only one issue. Puerto Ricans were not ‘immigrants’ because they have been US citizens since 1917. While they may have been treated as immigrants, technically they aren’t.
Thank you! I was going to make a similar comment. It's disrespectful to call Puerto Ricans immigrants imo, but unfortunately that's how they're often treated.
My hat goes off to you my friend. All these comments but sad they failed to recognize such an important fact.
My father came to New York from Puerto Rico when he was 12 in 1946 and ended up marrying my mother, a white Southern Baptist, and living most of his life in North Florida near the GA. border. There weren't any other Hispanics in our town that I knew until at least Jr. High in the mid-seventies. Whenever Rita came on TV he would always make sure to tell me, "She's Puerto Rican, you know" so I'd know that she was someone to look up to.
Lovely story 😊
Back in the days there was also Diosa Costello (who was just as talented as Rita)
Today...Rosie Perez, Liz Torres, Lauren Velez, Roselyn Sanchez,JLO,Miriam Colon, Gina Rodriquez and few others
PRican actors : Jose Ferrer, Luis Guzman, Raul Julia, Benicio del Toro, Eric Estrada, Lin Manuel Miranda the genius.Aumary Nolasco etc...
@@amgooder Oh, Rita wasn't the only person he did that with I was just avoiding going off topic. Every Christmas there would be Jose Feliciano and he never missed General Hospital while Ricky Martin was on it. From your list I remember Jose Ferrer and Raul Julia for sure. I wish he had lived to experience the work of Lin Manuel Miranda.
"The Ritz" was the first Broadway show I saw. When Rita stepped on stage, the audience broke out in applause. The couple sitting next to me knew it was my first time in New York. The husband leaned over to me and said, "That's Rita Moreno." I answered, "I know." I mean, who else would it be?
Cool memory. ❤
Ok now I really want someone to make a biopic about Rita called 'Rita Moreno vs Hollywood'. Joking aside, I'd heard she's cool but learning all this about her is amazing and has switched me from 'hmm that's interesting' to 'OH MY GOD I LOVE HER!!!' So thanks for that : )
Yes She is a Trailblazer
I quite appreciate your passion for this kind of historical storytelling, Digital Gay Uncle.
You seem to have become every bit the kind of person many of us - possibly including even yourself - really would've have benefited from knowing in our younger days. Regardless of how long you continue with this specific project, the pieces you've already produced should remain present and relevant in a way that some of the pre-internet media you discuss often times has not.
For many people, the larger queer community is our only meaningful cultural heritage. The archiving, study and storytelling of our collective history is a vital element in the ongoing perseverance of a still-very-much-threatened diverse group of people that have existed everywhere since the dawn of time.
Wish there was a "love" button for this comment.
Well said.
this is beautiful.
almost made me cry.
Great comment.
'Digital Gay Uncle' had me giggling 🤭
This. ❤️
Oh my god the new Anita talking to Rita and saying “I wouldn’t be here without you.” Omg, I’m tearing up!
When Rita started singing "Somewhere" l started crying my eyes out. I remember seeing West Side Story for the first time, and Rita became my favourite star of that movie. I am 67 year old woman from the cold plains of Canada and we did not have many Latinas here. Whenever a saw her as a guest or co-star on a show, I would have to watch it. I love her in "One Day at a Time". I am so sad that there will be no more series.
Anything Patti Lupone did, Rita could have played, probably better.
@@healinggrounds19 They are very different talents. Love them both.
Mood
Somewhere, in the new West Side Story, is the most moving film scene I've witnessed in decades. Creating a character for Rita in the new film was a stroke of genius. Another stroke of genius was giving her Somewhere to sing.
Rita is a Queen, but can we talk about what a MegaQueen her mom was?
^This 👏🏾
I first knew who she was as a kid in the 70s on Electric Company... that "Hey you guuuuyyssss!" line was all the rage in the 8-year set! And my parents were actors so I knew the soundtrack to WSS... imagine my head exploding when I found out Rita was in both!! Thanks for this history of her life... she's even more amazing than I knew!
I saw Rita sing with the Dallas Symphony in a pops concert in the mid-80s. It was her and the orchestra all evening. Not only was the show wonderful, not only did she charm the audience and the musicians, afterwards she sat on the stage greeting and conversing with everyone who wanted to speak with her. I'm not one for doing that, I would feel like I was imposing, but I sat there and admired how generous she was with her time. She had to have been there for 40 minutes, sitting on the edge of the stage with her legs dangling, leaning over to talk to people, sign programs, and shake hands. She was so genuinely gracious.
I had the good fortune of seeing Rita give a lecture at a local college a few years back. She is one of the most radiant people I’ve ever laid eyes on.
My honorary godmother has the same energy, and I love her dearly for it.
How I wish more films would have cast her. Between West Side Story, The Muppets, and then later One Day At A Time, I was always obsessed with how great of an actor she is. (Seriously, her bit with Animal on The Muppet Show is a fantastic bit of deadpan comedic timing)
Don’t miss her performances in Oz, or the Nanny!
Rita was the spiritual backbone of OZ, and also made a superb cameo in SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS.
The Electric Company (Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby): "Hey You GUUUYYSSS !"; Sesame Street (Mr. Hooper era, in the 1970's, I believe); I have always loved the Muppet Show (with that Jim Henson dude: "Fraggle Rock"), 3-2-1 Contact and the "Happy Accidents" afro-wearing guy, Bob Ross ("The Joy Of Painting")... A Fun childhood...
Wasn't she also on Rockford Files with James Garner. I think it was an ongoing character that pops up from season to season.
I had no idea she was so influential throughout all her years in Hollywood! My new role model. I want to advocate and be as strong as her. As a Latina myself, it's SO COOL to see other LATINAS in such roles and have such r
AMAZING role models. I have so much more respect for her after this video. Love love love her!!!!
I'm from Puerto Rico and I feel the exact same way after having watched this today. She's definitely a new idol for me now. 😍
FYI: Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano was born December 11, 1931 (not 1939) - she turned 90 yesterday.
Thanks for the perspective. Rita Moreno is one amazing woman and a living legend.
He does say she's 89, so he must have misspoken her birthdate.
Listen. If a gay man can’t fudge the age of a legend to make her appearance younger, well, I don’t know what to tell you! And may we all look that good when we’re ‘90! Dios Mio! 😄😍
I caught that, too! But Matt did say she was 89. Perhaps '39 was when she moved to the U.S..
Thanks for the fact check. I was wondering why he was talking about the depression. This clears it up.
im so glad to see rita's impact recognized! interesting note, "west side story" was a product of the creative endeavors of several queer men: bernstein who wrote the music of course (and was married to chilean actress felicia cohn montealegre), sondheim who wrote the lyrics, but also book writer arthur laurents and director/choreographer jerome robbins. there have always been queer people in theater, and i'm sure rita got plenty of racist and sexist roles written by them, but i love the idea that this very queer musical gave her such a good jumping-off point!
Just a shame it was always white men
I had a big fat crush on Carmen Sandeigo and it’s nice to know that her voice actress would’ve supported and accepted me for it. :)
Rita Moreno helped me and my sister learn to read with the Electric Company. Me and my parents were Caribbean immigrants too, seeing her, Dianne Carroll and Nichelle Nichols on TV helped me know that there was a place for people who looked like me on stage and screen.
Hearing "Hey you guys!!!" sends sends me back to a place I haven't been for decades, and barely remember. 💜
The more I learn about Rita the more I love her.
Just watched that bit from The Ritz of Rita Moreno singing Everything's Coming Up Roses. Wow. That might be the best thing I have seen in a while.
Back in the 60s, my father had the album from West Side Story, so as a small child I learned the songs. I didn't understand the premise. A little while later I got to see the movie, and I adored it. Later, I understood the blatant racism it was based on. Rita Moreno has had my heart ever since. I have always seen her as so strong. She's been someone who challenged me to look at the world I grew up in and change my mind about what I had absorbed. I haven't seen the new film. I can't wait.
They were *not* immigrants. As her character is reminded in West Side Story, "Puerto Rico is in America now." Moving from within America to another part of America does not make you an immigrant. Her life was definitely difficult, she is an amazing woman, well deserved EGOT, her recent autobiography is brilliant, I'm not diminishing her at all, but don't call Puerto Ricans who move elsewhere in the US "immigrants." There is no reason to lessen their American nationality.
Thank you
I have a question: why isn't Puerto Rico a State within USA , such as Hawaii? ( I don't live in USA )
@@Daughterofminerva It's complicated. When Puerto Rico votes on proposed statehood instead of being a territory, about a third usually vote yes, a third vote no, and a third vote that they want to be an independent island, so no majority is chosen. Meanwhile, to be a state, Congress also has to decide. Puerto Rico would likely be a Democratic voting state, so Republicans oppose it becoming a state; currently its residents don't get votes in the presidential election, but their millions of citizens would cause a shift in the electoral college. Some oppose it for as dumb a reason as saying it'd be "absurd to have fifty-ONE states instead of 50." Some maintain that they're offended by the idea of a state that doesn't primarily speak English. John Oliver did a really good video on it, search youtube for "John Oliver Puerto Rico."
Could Puerto Rico support itself if it became an independent island? It sounds like the majority (2/3) want to be independent. I don't think they have been treated right by the US mainland.
At first, I was a bit surprised that you chose Rita as your subject, since I wasn't aware of any Gay stuff that she'd done, other than One Day At A Time. But then I thought-- Who Cares? Everybody LOVES Rita Moreno!!
Anyway, it was great to learn a lot of new stuff about her. I never even heard of The Ritz before.
i remember watching it on TV as a little gay kid. All i remember about it was i think Treat Williams (Hair) in it as an absolutely beautiful blond guy.
Well, Googie Gomez performed in a gay bath house.
@@RaymondHng This is one of my most favorite performances: I find her funny and heartbreaking in equal measures.
@@auldthymer “Estarting here/Estarting now/Honey, ev’rything’s coming up rrrrrrrrroses!”
Rita: *receives award*
Rita: Good lord! I leave you with that... *peaces out*
Rita’s documentary is great and devastating. She is such an amazing actress, role model, and human being.
AGREED!!
HEY YOU GUYYYYYYSSSSSS!!
The catchphrase of my childhood. Love Rita !!
Rita is a true icon I'm so thankful I get to be alive as the same time as her
I could listen to Rita Moreno’s warm, smart tone of voice for hours. When people mention the first “West Side Story” my first image is not boring Maria and her vanilla Tony. It’s a flash of the orchid-colored dress and petticoats flying across the screen as Anita tossed her head and danced.
Matt, that was wonderful! Rita Moreno has always been center stage in my 76 years of great memories. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Matt and thank you, Rita. My granddaughter is Puerto Rican and I want her to grow up being proud of who she is.
Then call her AMERICAN. It is people calling themselves PR that create the divide.
Part Anglo colonizer
Part Hispanic colonizer
I have loved Ms. Moreno since The Electric Company. Bless her for her longevity of compassion.
I'm sorry I missed the Premiere, Matt, but wow! I always knew Rita Moreno was fantastic, strong and a staunch friend of the LGBTQIA+ community, but I didn't know all of the details you brought in here. My mom has told me over the years some of the things that Rita Moreno did, such as what you mentioned in the video going out on a date with Elvis to make her then boyfriend jealous and pretending to faint to get out of shooting a scene she didn't want to do. According to my mother, that wasn't the only time she did something like that.
Rita Moreno is a true national treasure, and we are all indebted to her for her amazing work on behalf of the whole community.
I first saw her on Electric Company when I was a kid - only later did I realise what a great actor she was.
Thank you so much for this video!! As a Cuban immigrant, myself, growing up, she was everything because she was the only one. Rita Hayworth, Dolores Del Rio and Lupe Velez were no longer working. I loved watching her on the Electric Company when I was a kid growing up in the 70s.
Watched this again for the pure joy of it, and thanks a million, Matt! The original WSS is one of my top 5 favorite movies and, at age 71, I've seen a bunch of 'em. I must have gone back 9 or 10 times on its original release. Rita's is hands down its best performance. Have loved her ever since, and was especially glad to see her in Oz. Spielberg's WSS is a noble successor, and Rita is heartbreakingly wonderful in it. Kushner really found a brilliant way to integrate her seamlessly into the project.
Neither Rita Moreno, nor any person who moved from Puerto Rico to the Mainland of the U.S. are immigrants. Residents of Puerto Rico are American Citizens. And an American Citizen moving from one part of the U.S. to another part of the U.S. are *never* immigrants. You don't call a resident of New York that moved from Oklahoma and Oklahoman immigrant, do you?
Matt does a great job with his [gay ] Hollywood commentaries and narratives. This is one of his best. As an Afro-Cuban/black American, I can understand some of the sensitivity surrounding misinformation of the year she was born or misspoken narratives about Puerto Ricans being immigrants, and the usage of Latin vs Hispanic. I'm sure it wasn't intentional. We are all learning on a continuous basis about each other as a human race. We all have the right to be proud of our heritage. I know I am! Funny thing though, my mom's parents said they migrated from the south to Chicago and my pop's parents said they moved to Chicago after leaving Havana. Their interpretation!
Happy 90th birthday, Ms. Moreno! I've always known her as the woman who yelled "Hey, you guys!" from The Electric Company. I've admired her all my life. She's such a gem!
A national treasure. I have loved her since I was a little girl.
I've met her once. She was every bit dynamic and energetic as she was depicted on this segment. Beautiful lady!
Even as a small child (I’m 61) I somehow loved this great lady, before even hearing the term “musical theater.” I had to love her, because there’s no option NOT to love certain people; some of us radiate love and joy with such intensity that it penetrates us without warning, and Rita Moreno is one of that rare and gifted few. I had loved her for decades when I walked into a curio shop one day about ten years ago, on Riverstreet in Savannah, Georgia, and was struck by the beauty of some brightly colored tableware. When I asked about it the owner said it was called fiesta ware, that it was highly collectible, and as a matter of fact he had sold some to a major collector just moments ago; had I ever heard of Rita Moreno? I tried answering him while maintaining my balance, but I was outside already. I ran up and down Riverstreet calling “Hello, Miss Moreno!” and “Hi, Rita?” for at least ten minutes. She had gone, but magic had trailed behind Rita Moreno; it was in the air. Not many of us have that.
Thanks for a great video!
The first time I saw Rita Moreno was as Violet Newstead on the sitcom version of 9 to 5 when I was a child. She is LEGEND.
OK. This one gave me lots of goosebumps and a case of the sniffles. Love, love, LOVE this woman.
Dear Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman, thank you for teaching me to read.
WHERE is your check from Spielberg. I liked West Side Story but I had no real interest in seeing the new one. Knowing what I know now that it's more than just the exact same movie, and about Rita's involvement, I can't wait to go. Thank you!!!
Rita is amazing. I love her confidence, her sense of humor,and her honesty about who she is and what she believes.
Being a Puerto Rican, THANK YOU! I follow you religiously and seeing you talking about our icon warms my heart! I also saw BKR’s video where you talk about her! Thanks Matt!!!!
Come to PR, I’ll be your guide, LOL 💞🇵🇷
Yo no soy Puertorriqueño, but I am Latino. Thank you, Matt. This video moved me to tears. It spoke to two sides of me that I don't often get to see face each other. Rita's story speaks to nearly every story my grandparents had ever told me. Had my abuelita lived long enough to see me grow up and come out, I'd like to think she'd be as fiercely supportive as Rita has been. 💜
I was already obsessed with Rita Moreno, but you managed to make me love her even more
Moreno is one of the great, underappreciated performers of the entertainment industry. She and Corey Stull were the two bright lights in Spielberg's remake of West Side Story for me. She should be honored as a national treasure, what a great talent.
things have come full circle
Thank you for this! Really well done. I was an immigrant's child in NYC, born and living in Hell's Kitchen (where West Side Story took place and was filmed.) And even though my skin was white, being Russian in the tail end of the McCarthy era made it just a little hard and my only early school friends were Puerto Rican and Cuban kids from my neighborhood. While my mother was a rare thing in those days, a professional woman, at home she was so old world. When I saw West Side Story, Rita became one of my favorites and a solid role model of what a woman can be. This is one of the best tributes to her I have seen.
Beautiful, strong, clever, funny... I've rewatched her Sesame Street "Fever" performance dozens of times--her technical skill and her intuition make her almost mesmerising as a performer... Sheer brilliance.
This was excellent and enlightening, as I always know it will be when I see "Matt Baume" in my youtube notifications. :) Thanks for your hard work and genuine love and enthusiasm. It's infectious in the good way.
No one else could ever be Rita Moreno.
Great video . But please understand Rita WAS NOT AN IMMIGRANT. She was born as a US CITIZEN. That was misinformation and should have been researched better for accuracy.
I loved the Electric Company. That “Hey you guys” is etched in my head decades later!
(sound of a frog being tickled)
I just fricken died. Good work closed captioning person!
Love her. I was so happy when they were giving a lifetime achievement award to Morgan Freeman and one of the presenters was Rita. I said to myself I wonder if they'll acknowledge their history together on Electric Company and they did. It was great. Regarding original WSS. While I liked Natalie Wood I was kind of embarassed by her fake Puerto Rican accent. It was so over the top. Glad real Puerto Ricans will be acting the parts in the new one. Man "Somewhere" made me cry in the original, this version is going to destroy me. I hope it is successful. BTW I could be wrong but I think she won an Emmy for a guest star spot in the Rockford Files. She also played an activist in Law And Order SVU. I always love seeing her.
An amazing woman, amazing talent, amazing mind, amazing human being. I love love love Rita Moreno. And yes she was FANTASTIC on Password, but played the game calmly and graciously. Not someone’s stereotype of an overly excitable Latina. Total class.
Did you know that she sang Somewhere live on the set and that's the take Spielberg used in the final movie?
This was a truly lovely documentary! Ms Moreno is as intelligent as she is warm, glamorous and charming, and the many interview clips were so great to see. I watched her in West Side Story not long ago. I was struck by how easily she held the screen. Natalie Wood was a seasoned actress who could hold her own, but Ms Moreno totally owned the screen in every shot she was in. I believe many fantastic "minority" performers weren't just ignored, they were suppressed, for fear they would harm the focus on the chosen white few. Well, Rita Moreno triumphed! God bless everything about her!
Rita was great in One Day At A Time. I'm still sad that show was cancelled, although Season 3 had the perfect finale that wrapped everything up quite well.
Rita is such a hero, legit tears when they talked about people shouting from rooftops!
"Why I'm obsessed with Rita Moreno and you should be too,."
Preaching to the choir, Matt.
It's funny that the first film of hers I ever watched was actually her first role. An indie film from the 50s called So Young So Bad, with an incredible performance from her at the age of 19.
This was your best piece, Matt. Sure, the subject was a dream, but you handled Moreno and her role supporting our community both on stage/camera and off, magnificently.
Really interesting piece. Except for the pet peeve of people incorrectly calling Puerto Ricans immigrants I really enjoyed it
I admit that when I first saw the original WSS on Netflix, I kept cringing at all the brownface. I can't make myself watch it again but I'm glad it's been remade with such care and includes the legend who persevered. God Bless you Ms. Rita!
Hey Lucy where's that blockhead Charlie brown?
As a Boston native, full blooded Puerto Rican (both parents moved to the States in their teens), I was very moved by the extent of research you did for this piece. While so many underrepresented groups can count our own roles models on one hand, Rita just so happens to be someone my mother has always deeply admired. So thank you for putting this together. I have to point out something you probably caught a little heat on by now and that is: since 1901, the Puerto Rican people have not been immigrants - we have been U.S. citizens. This is a bone of contention for us as our rights as US citizens have been muted and considered on par with true immigrants from other countries which simply hasn’t been accurate for over 100 years. This careless narrative has contributed to an immeasurable amount of prejudice and marginalization. As part of your goal was undoubtedly to shed light on who she was, Rita would correct you herself had she the opportunity. Admittedly, there’s a lot of angst around the topic of identity among the Puerto Rican people. At once American citizens, Indigenous Caribbean, African, Spanish and even Dutch its easy to understand the innate sensitivity we have with national identity. I think your work on this price is wonderful and I’m so happy you chose to celebrate Rita’s career and humanity in such a genuine and personal way.
Just keeping it real.
Keep it coming, my friend. Your heart shows in your work.
Full blooded puerto Rican?
Its not a race & you are not indigenous, mr.spanish colonizer
Small correction: "...immigrants just like her"--Puerto Ricans aren't immigrants, they're American citizens
Hell yeah
Migrants maybe? They don't im- or em-, they just move from one state to another?
I was, for some strange reason, immensely proud, when Rita won that first Oscar. And "A Place For Us" has continued to be an emotional experience, since the very first time that I heard it on a sound track record.
What an absolute legend. So much respect to Rita.
This episode made me cry twice, TWICE dammit! Really amazing work Matt.
Same!!! 😭😭😭
I absolutely loved her portrayal of Carmen Sandiego. I wanted TNT to Create a Carmen spinoff from the Librarians starring Morena Bacarin. The pre-Netflix version was a femme fatale who geeked out over art, history, and science, while obsessed with gamespersonship and compulsively wanting Acme agents to present a challenge in their pursuit of her.
@Will N Cool. I'm not as familiar with Dinah Drake's history as I am with her daughter's (pre-Flashpoint).
But if the Netflix series is supposed to be a prequel series, why were Zak and Ivy involved? Wasn't her old partner that man with glasses who would become chief?
@Will N I had to look on Wikipedia to get the reference. I didn't know that she played BC on Justice League Unlimited. Though her canary was Dinah Laurel Lance (the pre-flashpoint metahuman daughter of Dinah Drake).
@Will N Yes, I knew that the Netflix version of Zak and Ivy worked in racing before joining ACME. I was just wondering if it was meant to be part of the DIC series canon or a reboot of some kind. As a Bostonian, I found it pretty jarring how deeply the show steered into. Especially in the 21st century few Bostonians speak and act like Marty Walsh. I was also bothered by how Zak's intelligence just skidded downhill (to pick an automotive metaphor, and Dorchester is pretty hilly). It's like when Eric Matthews (Boy Meets World) suddenly got so not book smart that his zany eccentricity became a defining trait.
@Will N Mmm... I still prefer the DiC version though (from someone who grew up using an old Wang/IBM hybrid computer more fit for Skifree than Carmen Sandiego. My .ain't association with the brand was through PBS, DiC, and "choose your own adventure" books from Scholastic. Though it rarely had some arc that spans episodes, I loved the themed adventures that you learn from, animation on par with X-Men at its peak, and that theme. The Netflix one was fun, but the scenes with rebooted Zac and Ivy made me want to fast forward through scenes.
When I was a little boy in Nova Scotia watching The Electric Company on PBS, Rita Moreno was one of the people who started teaching me to read, even before my first day of school. And that is very important. She's one of the people very central to all that in my heart and in my mind.
And what about Naomi? 😉
Me, 20:59 in: OMG! That's F. Murray Abraham!! 😱 That's amazing. I would love to see him and Rita Moreno sharing the screen! I'm setting out to find this movie now! 💙
I’ve been such a fan of Ms. Moreno since I was a kid, in the 70s, watching “The Electric ⚡️ Company”. ❤️❤️
I love Rita Moreno, mainly because of her greatness and also because she sounds a lot like my grandma (who isn’t Puerto Rican, but their accents are the same)
Her character Sister Pete in Oz is the most charismatic character...ever! Also, solidarity with Puerto Rico!!!
What a remarkable woman and the struggles she and her family went through.
I'm Basque French and Irish. From the stories my father told he had a hard life as well.
Thank you Rita Moreno for standing up for yourself and others.
Rita Moreno, is a treasure. A powere house. Thsnkyou for this.
Really great piece on Rita Moreno’s amazing career…but the whole “Puerto Ricans as immigrants” thread left me thinking that you might not have known that Puerto Rico is in the United States…I learned that in the first grade I think 😳🇵🇷🇺🇸❤️
Her’s is the BEST - most emotionally stirring - version of SOMEWHERE.
You outdid yourself, this video is beyond excellent, and had me tearing up in the end. Rita is an amazing woman, a trailblazer.
OMG, I didn't know anything about Rita. Now at the end of the video and listening to her song on the new version of West Side Story and I got so emotional lol