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Showing posts with the label #Oscar

John Williams' early life: How a NoHo kid and UCLA Bruin became the movie music man

#JohnWilliams #Starwars #Composer # TheEmpireStrikesBack #Oscar #UCLA #Bruin  John Williams is synonymous with Hollywood. The “Star Wars” composer, who has racked up an incredible 51 Oscar nominations, could easily be called the composer laureate of American cinema. He’s cemented his stronghold on modern ears by conducting concerts of his movie music, and this summer marks the 40th anniversary of Williams bringing his repertoire to the Hollywood Bowl. Before he takes the podium Aug. 31, there will also be live-to-picture performances of his beloved scores for “Star Wars,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and — this weekend — “Jaws.” (David Newman will conduct those performances.) But his Hollywood story didn’t begin with Steven Spielberg’s 1975 shark thriller, or even his early years scoring TV series like “Lost in Space.” It started seven decades ago, about six miles up the 101 Freeway from the Bowl, when Williams was still a curly-haired teenager at North Hollywood High School and ha

Rita Moreno recalls struggling in Hollywood after Oscar win for 'West Side Story': 'It broke my heart'

In the FOXlight: Rita Moreno Shares Thoughts On A Lifetime Of Achievement  # Oscar #PuertoRico #RitaMoreno When Rita Moreno won an Oscar in 1962 for "Best Supporting Actress" as Anita in “West Side Story,” she thought her career would continue to quickly flourish in Hollywood — she was wrong. “Who could imagine that even after I won the Oscar, those who could employ me would continue to cast me as a Spanish spitfire,” the 86-year-old told  AARP the Magazine  for their cover story. RITA MORENO: MARLON BRANDO WAS 'THE LUST OF MY LIFE' “West Side Story,” based on the popular Broadway musical, told the story of two youngsters from rival New York City gangs who fall in love. However, tensions between their friends would lead to tragedy. It starred  Natalie Wood ,  George Chakiris  and Richard Beymer, among others. The Puerto Rico-born Moreno was a natural fit for the Puerto Rican immigrant role. However, she initially thought the film would result in more