My West Side Story by George Chakiris & Lindsay Harrison

Author:George Chakiris & Lindsay Harrison
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lyons Press
Published: 2020-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

With Cliff Robertson and Maria Perschy in 633 Squadron, 1963

Maria Perschy played my sister Hilde, Grant’s love interest.

Cliff Robertson was as easy, gracious, and congenial an actor as I’d ever worked with. Not an ounce of ego in him. A true gentleman who was good to everyone on the set. He also happened to be a certified pilot who’d served in the Merchant Marine in World War II. He loved World War II aircraft and was already the proud owner of a British Spitfire and other fighter planes as well. 633 Squadron used authentic Mosquitoes, British twin-engine combat aircraft, in the film, and he was seriously considering buying one. He was a man of many interests and just fascinating to be around. He was an exceptional, ethical man.

Maria Perschy was a darling girl, comfortable, accessible, and totally devoid of pretense. She was very beautiful, with blonde hair and blue eyes. I, of course, had brown hair and brown eyes, and we played siblings; but we decided that if I could pass for Norwegian, Maria and I could certainly pass for brother and sister. She taught me how to make a great salad dressing using the sugar, mustard, and olive oil that was on every table in the Pinewood Studios commissary.

Our director, Walter Grauman, was very accomplished and as unafflicted by ego as the rest of us. He also spent four years in the Army Air Forces flying combat missions over Europe, which I’m sure significantly contributed to the fact that the flying sequences in 633 Squadron are still considered some of the best ever filmed.

To add to the sheer fun of shooting 633 Squadron, Ruth Aarons hadn’t unceremoniously canceled my contract with Capitol Records yet, and I was still filming when the time came to record my second album for them.

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