It’s been 50 years since West Side Story made the big plié to the silver screen, destined to win ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Now, it’s getting its first ever Blu-ray release to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Yeah, it’s not the most realistic look at New York street gangs. Gang members are not that clean cut, and they do tend to carry more dangerous weapons than wrenches and belts. But this is a slice of American cinematic history. So pick a side – Jets or Sharks – and spend some time with one of the most famous musicals Hollywood ever made.

It’s hard to believe that Robert Preston, who owned the role of flim-flam man Harold Hill, had to wait until Cary Grant turned it down in order to be asked for the part. Thankfully, Grant passed. Oddly enough, Warners’ first choice was Frank Sinatra (which definitely would have been interesting), but Meredith Wilson (who wrote the music) demanded Preston’s presence in order to make the movie version. The result is an incredible musical that focuses on the long con, a sweet librarian, and the letter T.

West Side Story is a beloved musical, but it also won a ridiculous 10 Oscars (including Best Picture). It was a dominating feature in its day and continues to be. It was the first directorial effort for Jerome Robbins who co-directed with icon Robert Wise (they shared the Best Director award), and it’s full of memorable lines, songs, and moments. Starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, a few sharks and a few jets – it was a massive New York City production that delayed the demolition of buildings in order to shoot its opening dance sequence (on a spot where the Lincoln Center now stands). It was a bold endeavor that yielded some equally bold results.

If you were curious as to what military personnel did in the tropics, it’s mostly fall in love and talk about how being over 50 doesn’t mean that the sex has to stop. And then they sing about it. It’s the best way to pass the time during dangerous missions in WWII. This type of movie was the bread and butter of director Joshua Logan, who also wrote and directed Mister Roberts and Ensign Pulver. Who says the war couldn’t have its fair share of comedy?

This week, on a very special episode of Reject Radio, Busby Berkeley biographer Jeff Spivak joins us to talk in-depth about the movie icon’s life and art. From his early days of being born into the theater, to his success with 42nd Street and Footlight Parade, to his tragic car accident that threatened to derail his career (and his freedom), we cover it all. Or at least as much as possible. The guy was prolific. Fan of musicals? Fan of Buzz? Fan of just plain being entertained? Then this one’s for you. Listen Here: Download This Episode

This Sunday, on a very special episode of Reject Radio, author of “Buzz: The Life and Art of Busby Berkeley,”  Jeffrey Spivak, will be my guest as we discuss the rise to fame of iconic director and choreographer Busby Berkeley. This innovator of musical theater was part of countless films, including 42nd Street, Footlight Parade and the Gold Diggers movies. We’ll get a chance to see just how golden the Golden Age of Hollywood really was. That’s right. With comic book movie news flying all over the place and Sundance starting up, we’ll be talking in-depth about a man who died over thirty years ago. That’s just how we roll. Classic movie fans, be sure to join us for Reject Radio this Sunday at 10pm EST/7pm PST for what promises to be a lively, feather boa-filled discussion.

Green Day’s “American Idiot” album is about to open as a Broadway musical on April 20, but before the curtain rises plans are underway to turn the musical adaptation into a film. According to Deadline New York, the film will be produced by Tom Hanks Playtone productions with partner Gary Goetzman.

This week, on a very special episode of Reject Radio, we decide never to do the show ever again in 2009.