December 30, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dawn Newell (310) 247-3000
                 dnewell@oscars.org

Academy's Diamond Anniversary Screening Series to Feature "West Side Story"

	West Side Story" won the Academy Award® for Best Picture of 1961. George Chakiris (center) is shown here as Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, as he guards the street against rival gang the Jets.

Beverly Hills, CA - "West Side Story" dances back to the big screen on Monday, January 6, when it screens at 7:30 p.m. in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Although "West Side Story" won ten Oscars^® at the 34th Awards presentation - one shy of the record - the film nevertheless made Academy Award^® history when Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins became the first, and to date, only co-directors to win the Oscar^® for Best Director.

Footage from the 34th Academy Awards^® telecast will be shown during the evening as will "Ersatz," the Oscar-winning Cartoon Short Subject of 1961. A trailer for "Lawrence of Arabia," the next film in the 75th anniversary screening series, also will be featured. The Best Song of 1961, "Moon River" performed by Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," will serve as the program's curtain music.

Tickets may be purchased, pending availability, at a cost of $5 each for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid I.D. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Academy during regular business hours or by mail. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call 310-247-3000, ext. 111.

Editors: Please note that downloadable photos from this film are available at http://photos.oscars.org