Known for Acting
George Chakiris (born September 16, 1932) is an American dancer, singer and actor. He is best known for his role as Bernardo in the 1961 film version of West Side Story, which earned him an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Prior to West Side Story, Chakiris appeared uncredited in many musicals such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), White Christmas (1954), and Brigadoon (1954) as a dancer or chorus member. After West Side Story, he had starring roles in several lesser-known critical and commercial failures such as Diamond Head (1962), Kings of the Sun (1963), and The High Bright Sun (1965). On stage, his most notable role was as Bobby in the first national tour of Stephen Sondheim's Company. He had guest roles in many television series throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including appearances on Dallas, Superboy, and the series finale of The Patridge Family. Chakiris emerged from retirement to act in the film Not to Forget (2021), which aims to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease.
Born
September 16, 1932 (age 94)
Birthplace
Norwood, Ohio, USA
Filmography
45 films, 22 shows


Marilyn, Her Final Secret
2022 · 53m
country: France
Thanks to DNA, this documentary establishes the identity of Marilyn's biological father, thus revealing her new paternal family, 60 years after the icon's death.


Not to Forget
2021 · 1h 21m
country: Unknown
A judge sentences a self-centered millennial to take care of his grandmother, who's affected by Alzheimer's. As he realizes the extent of the elderly woman's wealth and becomes her caregiver, the young protagonist gets ever-closer to Grandma and the treasure he's been looking for.


Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
2021 · 1h 30m
country: United States
Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become one of a select group who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. Over a seventy year career, she has paved the way for Hispanic-American performers by refusing to be pigeonholed into one-dimensional stereotypes.


Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
2013
country: United States
Loving the Silent Tears is a musical journey of the spirit that traverses the seas and continents in a timeless search for inner peace. An unprecedented musical experience, the show combined the magic of theatre, the mystical beauty of traditional dances, the soul-stirring realm of poetry – and more. Travel the globe through 16 countries, represented by a dazzling array of ancient and modern music styles, songs sung in many languages, vibrant choreography across the cultures, and of course, a diverse star-filled cast.


Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1960's
2009 · 2h 22m
country: United States
Documentary looking at the history of Hollywood musicals in the 1960s. This decade saw independent film companies becoming more prominent as the bigger Hollywood studios, who produced the mainstream musicals, experienced a decline. This brought the emergence of more realistic story lines and the use of contemporary music like rock 'n' roll. This programme features songs from the musicals 'West Side Story' (1961), 'The Music Man' (1962), 'Mary Poppins' (1964), 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' (1964), 'Funny Girl' (1968), 'Oliver!' (1968) and 'Sweet Charity' (1969).


Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History
2008 · 1h 51m
country: United States
The history of Hollywood musical movies, from the very beginning until the 21st century, hosted by Shirley Jones.


AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories
2002 · 3h
country: United States
A look at one hundred years of romance in American cinema.


The Young Girls Turn 25
1993 · 1h 5m
country: France
Agnes Varda's documentary of the celebrations arising from the 25th anniversary of her husband Jacques Demy's film The Young Girls of Rochefort.


Pale Blood
1990 · 1h 33m
country: United States
3 dead women, blood drained through small bites and placed around L.A. The murders catch international attention of a lonely man looking to teach a suspected vampire some morals.


That's Dancing!
1985 · 1h 45m
country: United States
A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from its origins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, up to the break dance and music videos from the 80s.


Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again
1982 · 1h 27m
country: United States
While conducting a research experiment intended to bring about an alternative to modern surgery, exhausted Los Angeles surgeon Dr. Daniel Jekyll falls asleep and accidentally inhales the white powders, transforming him into a wildly uninhibited nymphomaniac.


Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady
1982 · 1h
country: Unknown
An all-star tribute to Natalie Wood by some of her friends and co-workers.


Why Not Stay For Breakfast?
1979 · 1h 35m
country: United Kingdom
The peaceful existence of a New York post-office clerk is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a heavily pregnant girl on his doorstep


Return to Fantasy Island
1978 · 1h 40m
country: United States
A second feature-length pilot film for the wish-fulfillment series sees six lucky people having their dreams fulfilled on the luxury resort island. Career woman Margo Dean's assistant, Lowell Benson, hopes to romance her; Brian and Lucy Faber want to see the daughter they gave up for adoption; Janet Fleming, who lost her memory on her honeymoon, wants to relive it to cure her amnesia.


Kiss Me and Die
1974 · 1h 4m
country: United Kingdom
When his brother vanishes without a trace, American Robert Stone goes to his last known location: a remote English village. Robert's investigation leads him to the mansion of Jonathon Lanceford, a man obsessed with the Gothic works of Edgar Allen Poe, and his beautiful and enigmatic niece Dominie...


Sharon in Scarlet
1969
country: Spain


The Big Cube
1969 · 1h 38m
country: United States
A young woman and her drug addict boyfriend plot to drive the woman's stepmother insane with LSD in a plot to secure an inheritance.


The Day the Hot Line Got Hot
1968 · 1h 36m
country: France
The most ultra-secret telephone number of all is that of the "Hot'Line' that links the heads of state of the United States and Moscow. A conniving double agent manages to steal the top secret phone number and then begins to implement chaos by phoning Washington and Moscow, telling the two powers that their respective spy chiefs are traitors. It's spy versus spy, agent versus double agent, counter spy against counter-counter spy in a rapidly increasing international crisis that finds its solution on the stage of Chinese theater in Barcelona, Spain as the spy leaders, the traitorous agent, a beautiful girl, three old ladies, a young man caught up in the chain of events and a troupe of acrobats collide head on in battle.


Kismet
1967 · 1h 30m
country: Unknown
The story follows one fateful day as a beggar-poet and his daughter cross paths with a wicked wazir, a wily temptress, a handsome prince, a magical curse, opulent sets and exotic adventure. Adapted from the Broadway musical.


The Young Girls of Rochefort
1967 · 2h 6m
country: France
In the seaside town of Rochefort, twin sisters Delphine and Solange dream of love and artistic fulfillment beyond their quiet lives. As sailors, artists, musicians, and chance visitors pass through town during a weekend fair, a web of near-misses and romantic longing brings ideal partners tantalizingly close—without their realizing it.


Is Paris Burning?
1966 · 2h 53m
country: France
Near the end of World War II, General Dietrich von Choltitz receives orders to burn down Paris if it becomes clear the Allies are going to invade, or if he's unable to maintain control of the city. After much contemplation, Choltitz ignores orders, enraging the Germans and giving hope to various resistance factions that the city will be liberated. Choltitz, alongside Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling, helps a leader organise his forces.


The Mona Lisa Has Been Stolen
1966 · 1h 44m
country: France
A thief falls in love with a maid and goes on the run after stealing Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa."


Behind the screens : Les demoiselles de Rochefort
1966
country: Belgium
Six-part documentary on the making of Jacques Demy's 'Le demoiselles de Rochefort'


The High Bright Sun
1964 · 1h 54m
country: United Kingdom
This story of love and espionage focuses on political turmoil as a small nation struggles to free itself from colonial rule, and one man tries to serve both justice and his own heart.


633 Squadron
1964 · 1h 42m
country: United Kingdom
When Norwegian resistance leader Lieutenant Erik Bergman reports the location of a German V-2 rocket fuel plant, the Royal Air Force's 633 Squadron is assigned the mission to destroy it. The plant is in a seemingly-impregnable location beneath an overhanging cliff at the end of a long, narrow fjord lined with anti-aircraft guns. The only way to destroy the plant is by collapsing the cliff on top of it.


Flight from Ashiya
1964 · 1h 40m
country: Japan
Featuring an all-star cast and on-location shooting in Japan, where the story is set, three US Air Force rescue pilots must overcome their personal problems and differences to embark upon a dangerous mission to save raft-bound Japanese survivors from a murderous storm-tossed sea. As they head for their location, the film flashes back to chronicle the pasts of each pilot to make clear their mixed feelings about their upcoming assignment.


Bebo's Girl
1964 · 1h 46m
country: France
At the end of World War II, shallow, self-centered Mara is the prettiest girl in her small Italian village; Bebo is a Communist partisan who is finding it difficult to adjust to the dull banalities of life in peacetime. When Mara’s father, a passionate Communist, declares that his daughter will marry the returning hero, her reactions range from joy to bitter resentment.


Kings of the Sun
1963 · 1h 48m
country: United States
In order to flee from powerful enemies, young Mayan king Balam leads his people north across the Gulf of Mexico to the coast of what will become the United States. They build a home in the new land but come into conflict with a tribe of Native Americans led by their chief, Black Eagle, while both Balam and Black Eagle fall in love the beautiful Mayan princess Ixchel.


Diamond Head
1962 · 1h 47m
country: United States
Rich Hawaiian pineapple grower and US Senatorial candidate Richard Howland tries to control everything and everyone around him, including his headstrong sister, Slone.


Two and Two Make Six
1962 · 1h 29m
country: United Kingdom
An American airman stationed in the United Kingdom strikes down his commanding officer. Believing he's killed him, the airman goes on the run with a woman. They encounter a lookalike couple and hijinks ensue.


West Side Story
1961 · 2h 33m
country: United States
In Manhattan’s Upper West Side, rival gangs of Polish-Americans and newly arrived Puerto Ricans clash for control of the neighborhood, even as two young members from opposite sides fall dangerously in love.


Flower Drum Song
1961 · 2h 13m
country: United States
A young woman arrives in San Francisco's Chinatown, from Hong Kong, with the intention of marrying a rakish nightclub owner, unaware he is involved with one of his singers.


Under Fire
1957 · 1h 16m
country: United States
An Army lawyer defends a World War II hero and his men accused of desertion.


Meet Me in Las Vegas
1956 · 1h 52m
country: United States
Chuck Rodwell is a gambling cowboy who discovers that he's lucky at the roulette wheel if he holds hands with dancer Marie. However, Marie doesn't like to hold hands with him, at least not in the beginning...


The Girl Rush
1955 · 1h 25m
country: United States
When her compulsive-gambler father dies, leaving her with an inheritance that amounts to zip, single gal Kim Halliday jumps at a caller's claim that she's part-owner of a Las Vegas "hotel." But hilarity ensues when she flies to Sin City to see it. While a wealthy casino owner eyes her dilapidated property, she takes a chance and tries to sell it to an hotelier's wealthy son.


There's No Business Like Show Business
1954 · 1h 58m
country: United States
Molly and Terry Donahue, plus their three children, are The Five Donahues. Youngest son Tim meets hat-check girl Vicky and the family act begins to fall apart.


The Country Girl
1954 · 1h 44m
country: United States
An actor on the skids is given one more chance to regain his stardom, as well as his self-respect, yet his alcoholism may prevent that from happening.


White Christmas
1954 · 2h
country: United States
Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. In time they befriend and become romantically involved with the beautiful Haynes sisters who comprise a sister act.


Brigadoon
1954 · 1h 48m
country: United States
Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.


Give a Girl a Break
1953 · 1h 22m
country: United States
When the temperamental star of a new Broadway musical revue in rehearsals walks out, director and choreographer Ted Sturgis suggests casting an unknown for the role. When it is announced in the newspapers, throngs of hopefuls show up. The revue's musical composer, Leo Belney, champions ballerina Joanna Moss, while gofer Bob Dowdy is enchanted by novice Suzy Doolittle. Then producer Felix Jordan persuades Ted's former dance partner, Madelyn Corlan, to come out of retirement to try out, much to Ted's great discomfort.


Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
1953 · 1h 31m
country: United States
Lorelei Lee is a beautiful showgirl engaged to be married to the wealthy Gus Esmond, much to the disapproval of Gus' rich father, Esmond Sr., who thinks that Lorelei is just after his money. When Lorelei goes on a cruise accompanied only by her best friend, Dorothy Shaw, Esmond Sr. hires Ernie Malone, a private detective, to follow her and report any questionable behavior that would disqualify her from the marriage.


The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.
1953 · 1h 29m
country: United States
Young Bart Collins lives with his widowed mother Heloise. The major blight on Bart's existence is the hated piano lessons he is forced to endure under the tutelage of the autocratic Dr. Terwilliker. Bart feels that his mother has fallen under Terwilliker's sinister influence, and gripes to visiting plumber August Zabladowski, without much result. While grimly hammering away at his lessons, Bart dozes off and enters a fantastical musical dream.


Call Me Madam
1953 · 1h 56m
country: United States
Washington hostess Sally Adams becomes a Truman-era US ambassador to a European grand duchy.


The Great Caruso
1951 · 1h 49m
country: United States
Enrico Caruso's only passion is to sing. For that, he leaves his hometown of Naples, Italy, and travels to America to sing for the Metropolitan Opera. At first, his lack of education and poor background make him an outcast in the high-class opera world. Eventually, his voice wins him both fans and the hand of his love, Dorothy. But his nonstop pace and desire to perform at any cost eventually take their toll on the singer's health.


Song of Love
1947 · 1h 55m
country: United States
Composer Robert Schumann struggles to compose his symphonies while his loving wife Clara offers her support. Also helping the Schumanns is their lifelong friend, composer Johannes Brahms.