Back in the early 70's I watched a clip on TV of Fred Astaire watching this scene. He was asked what he thought of Streisand and he said, "She's ok--if you like talent'.
I've seem many stage performances of HELLO DOLLY (even one with Carol Channing) and some were better then others. The first one I saw was with Dorothy Lamore in a Broadway touring company and it was great.. But, I have to say, the film with Barbra as DOLLY was absolutely spectacular! It is a grand all American musical! Her voice ... what can one say ... her voice grabs you and takes you on a ride that is out of this world! Love the movie and love Barbra Streisand! She's my favorite Dolly. None can match her talent and beauty that is displayed in this movie. Plus the entrance down the staircase in the title number is absolutely breathtaking! (as is the the entire title number especially the interaction with Louis Armstrong ... priceless!) "👏"
There have been many great Dollys, but honestly nobody can top Streisand for sheer vocal range and power. I've heard that she doesn't like the movie, but I think it's great fun.
Dave Glo Sorry but I couldn’t disagree more. She was good and the movie was great, but she was way too young for the role. No, Carol Channing in the 1994 revival was the best
She and Walter would feud a lot offset and when the time came for their characters to kiss at the end Walter refused so the cameras did angles to look like they did kiss. I read that after I saw this movie.
OK. You can't compare the film version to the current stage version with Bette or any other Dolly but having heard Bette's version and Carol's and Pearls ,I know which one I want to listen to over and over and it's Barbra. Her voice ........
The tempo is much h faster than in the show but works very well. They used the best orchestrators and arrange for the film. There's not a bad song in the film.
my favorite version of Dolly Levi was played by Jenifer Lewis [black*ish and Castaway]. the 5th Ave Theatre produced a Harmonious, Hilarious, outstandingly orchestrated Hello Dolly. miss Lewis and Cash Cashman’s Vandergelder with his supurb comic timing and improv were ticklish and riotous together. Loved It!
BARBRA was at her Vocal & Charismatic BEST in Dolly.... Walter Matthau was the Problem---a curmudgeonly, grumpy old shlump. BARBRA deserved Better...and so did the movie.
I know that Streisand was in her 20s when this was made, but am curious to know how old Matthau was at the time. She's incredible in this scene - but after many years of thinking about it, I would have rather paired her with Jack Lemmon - more possible chemistry. Anyone agree? bob in toronto
Yes, Robert Jennings I wholeheartedly agree. Once they decided to cast younger--and sexier--for Dolly they should have done the same for Horace, and Jack Lemmon would have been ideal. As good as the comic exchanges are between Matthau and Streisand, they have no chemistry for the romance.
agreed. there were great lines between the two but they were lost on me, when i saw it i had heard they couldn't stand each other - even if i hadn't known about their feuds their scenes together seemed forced. yes - Jack Lemmon would have worked
A much more enjoyable film and vehicle for Barbra than Funny Girl (1968) which I find unwatchable. Dolly is perhaps the last of the extravagant movie musicals.
I agree with Dave Glo. Streisand was the best. The show was fun but her singing, her range, her phrasing, interpretation, combined with the choreography is unsurpassed.
There ain't one. What you might be thinking of is from "Funny Girl"--"I'm the greatest star", in the intro, to wit: "Instead of them kicking me, why don't they give me a lift? Well it must be a plot 'Cause they're scared that I got Such a gift. Well I'm miffed, 'Caaaaause I'm the greatest star.... ***************** Also, in her first scene with Matthau in 'Dolly", she is reading his palm and says, "Such a long Lifeline! It runs right off your hand. I don't know WHERE it goes!" Although she was decades too young for the part, Barbra is the complete center of this movie, which has aged well. when she's on screen, you can't take your eyes off her. Although I love Matthau, and he was perfect for Vandergelder as written, It would have been better if the part of Horace had been played by someone a bit younger and sexier, to play off Streisand's enormous sensuality . There is great comic chemistry between them, but no sexual chemistry. Rock Hudson, who had great comic timing, would have nailed it with Streisand. There would have been sparks of sexy time flying! As it is, I loves me some Barbra.
@@jcarterjoseph9066 thank God for Barbra - she saved the film from being almost unwatchable - her powerhouse vocals and comedy chops are both in check, the rest of the film is pretty dreadful - over done, over stuffed and over priced with one of the worst supporting casts in musical film history (E.J. Peaker and whoever played Gussie Granger - where's my gun..)
All those criticism that Barbra was too young for Dolly is Rubbish. She was an actor playing character, so what if she was only 26, she was playing an older person that’s all. And because of Barbra having a long career and we see her decades later, at 40, 50, Barbra looked as beautiful and young as she was in Dolly. So had she been 40 or 50, Barbra’s Dolly would probably look and act the same
He made up with her at one of her shows before he died, He made sure to tell her that he thinks she is an amazing singer and was silly to have not liked her in 1969. Hopefully that changed her mind about not liking the film, because its perfect.
