Funny Girl

My life was changed,at 8 years old, when I walked into the theater to see, "Funny Girl, for the first time in 1968. It was amazing how Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice could have that much of an impact on an 8 year old. Barbra Streisand's performance was a life altering experience from her first line:"Hello, Gorgeous" to her devastating finale of "My Man." I had never been so deeply moved by anything I had seen prior in my life and treasure the film to this day. I remember as a child it played in Metro Detroit, at the grandest theater, on a Roadshow Engagement for a year and a half and we would go every Saturday. I was very lucky to be surrounded by many Barbra fans. It was after seeing that performance I knew there was a reason to wake up in the morning. I always tell people until I saw "Funny Girl" I viewed the world in Black and White. When I walked out of the theater, after viewing for the first time, I saw the world in color. What made it so unique is, we were seeing Barbra Streisand's career unfolding as it was happening. The musical number "Don't Rain on My Parade" was like seeing the pre-cursor to the MTV video. It was the first time in a film where the song did not stay in a stationary place yet started in a train station in Baltimore and took you to Barbra on a tug boat to meet Nick Arnstein(Omar Sharif). I remember one night, after Barbra won the Oscar for the film, we were at the dinner table bantering back and forth for which scene she won the Academy Award for and my Mother piped in and said: "Honey, she won it for every frame of film in the movie!" For those of you whom have not seen "Funny Girl" I recommend it as a MUST see as you will never see a film debut or performance like this ever again. It won't be the exact same experience one had as they were watching her career unfold as it was happening as she also did the "My Man" finale live(No play back) and the results are astonishing. When she finishes that scene every emotion in your body has been touched, as she puts everything in her being into that number. Streisand's performance is flawless from start to finish and the score by Jule Styne with lyrics by Bob Merrill is timeless. What's great about the DVD restored version is they put a ton of money into it. It starts with a montage of the movie then the menu is a marquee. They included the entire Overture, intermission, E'nteracte and the exit music. There are also some great bonus treats as well. I give this film 5 plus stars for Streisand's outstanding performance and William Wyler's direction. Herb Ross, did a magnificent job on directing all the musical numbers and the supporting cast is all top drawer with excellent set design and art direction. The story is great and each musical number is a revelation. This is Barbra at her best!!! Buy it today, it will cheer you up when you are down. It will touch each emotion in you from hysterical laughter to tears. They could not make this movie today if they tried, as there is no one with the talent of Barbra Streisand to recreate the role. For those that do not know this, Barbra Streisand originated the role on Broadway in 1964 and became the toast of Broadway. They have tried for year to do a revival, yet cannot find anyone with all the skills needed to pull off the part. They most recently were going to finally bring it back to Broadway this Spring with Lauren Ambrose(From "Six Feet Under)as Fanny Brice. However,the show was cancelled in late November as they realized that Ms. Ambrose was not up to par to pull off and the producers pulled out. This was after Lauren had already been rehearsing for over a year. The theater was booked. The poster created and the supporting cast all in place. Bobby Conavalli was going to play Nick Arnstein, yet they decided it was not up to par. Unfortunately, I do not think they will ever find another Barbra Streisand to play this part? So, do yourself a favor, buy the DVD and sit back and watch the performance of a lifetime. I have selected a few of the best Barbra Streisand movies and concerts for my product link. Check them out as they are all masterpieces, to me, as well. I could add more, yet, limited to ten. Jeffrey Freedman js341@aol.comFunny Girl Yentl (Two-Disc Director's Cut) The Way We Were (Special Edition)][[ASIN:B00005OLYF The Prince of Tides Barbra Streisand Collection (What's Up, Doc?/The Main Event/Up the Sandbox/Nuts) Barbra Streisand - The Television Specials On a Clear Day You Can See Forever Barbra Streisand - Timeless: Live in Concert Funny Girl The Owl and the Pussycat One Night Only Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard September 26,2009 (DVD with CD)][[ASIN:B001KV21OG On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

This is a classic musical from the late sixties, back when musicals really were magical. Babs won a well-deserved Oscar for her performance. Well, she shared an Oscar with Katherine Hepburn for her performance in one of my other favorites, Lion In Winter, definitely NOT a musical. I mention it to show how strong Streisand's performance was. I don't think there's a weak song in this movie. They spared no expense on costumes, and it was shot on location, so when she needs to sing on a tug boat, she is on a tug boat. In New York harbor. Casting was interesting. I remember that casting Omar Sharif as Nicky Arnstein caused some consternation at the time. Now? Would probably never happen. Sad. Streisand in her break-out role was never better. Ok, she's been great in everything, but if you had to watch ONE movie that shows her range and depth and VOICE, this is it. Anyway, this is a funny, sad, inspirational movie. Timeless. I highly recommend it.

This is a VERY JEWISH semi-autobiographic story about Fanny Brice. It has charm-and-a-half, nice music, and clever lyrics. A nice film on any occasion.

I am a fan of Barbra Streisand and I absolutely love this movie. Bought DVDs for my post partum and this was a hit during those late night feedings.

Reminiscent of my earlier years. LOVED IT!

First off - the DVD: It's a letterbox transfer of pristine new print that has been digitally restored (sometimes frame by frame) back to its original condition. Funny Girl hasn't looked this good in thirty years - so if you've only seen it on VHS or TV, you're in for a visual treat. I saw the restored print on a huge screen this past fall, and believe me, this transfer does it justice. In addition they have included the pre-show and intermission music as well. The additional documentary material is nothing to write home about. But I think whoever did the DVD menu deserves kudos for styling it like the New Amsterdam theater marquee from the first shot of the movie, with highlights from the film playing in the background. Very appropriate and very clever. Funny Girl is A.) the musical biography of comedienne-singer Fanny Brice, and B.) the Oscar-winning film debut of 26 year old Barbra Streisand. As theatrical history lesson it's pretty flawed - (Arnstein was Brice's *second* husband, for example). The Streisand - Brice connection is strong, however. Fanny, like Barbra, wore her Jewishness as a badge of honor - in contrast to most Jewish performers of the day, who tried to blend in as much as possible. As a matter of fact, the "You Are Woman, I Am Man" seduction scene plays like a Brice "Follies" sketch. And as a star vehicle for Striesand, it's a winner. "I'm the Greatest Star" at the beginning of the picture is an electrifying jolt of raw, pure talent. At the end of them film when she falters on the opening words of "My Man", you'll remember what it feels like to watch your beloved walk out of your life. William Wyer seems to be aware that he's launching a new star. The way he introduces Barbra - that long walk with her back to the camera in the leopard coat - ending with the first teasing glimpse of her face in the mirror - "Hello, gorgeous." It was a closeup that many film folk were sure would have audiences recoiling in horror. Certainly plain looking Barbra couldn't make it as a movie star. Well, it's not news anymore but it turns out that Barbra photographs beautifully. Even Barbra-hater Rex Reed had to admit at the time, "It took the combined efforts of God knows how many people to do it, but I'll be damned if they haven't made her beautiful!" Omar Sharif plays opposite Barbra, and he holds up his end of the film nicely, no small feat when you consider that the script gives him little to do and the entire property has been tailored to Streisand's strengths. No one else registers, with the possible exception of Kay Medford as Fanny's mother. (Poor Anne Francis sued Columbia after the film was released, claiming Streisand had her cut out of the finished film. Most of you are sitting there thinking, "Anne, who?") All in all, one of the better Sixties Broadway musical adaptations. (Note: Funny Girl was nominated for Best Picture in 1968. It lost to another Columbia Pictures musical - Oliver! If you liked Funny Girl, check out Oliver! - it's a better movie, even though it has no star names over the title. More 1968 Oscar trivia - Barbra won for Best Actress in a tie with Kathrine Hepburn of "Lion in Winter". In Oscar balloting there can only be a tie when there are the exact same number of votes. Why do I mention this? Well, it just so happens that because of her "special stature" in the industry, Barbra Streisand was admitted as a voting member of the Academy that year - with the release of just her first film. I wonder who she voted for???? If she hadn't been given special treatment, maybe Kate Hepburn's name would had been the only one announced that night!)

Good to watch

A magical and so romantic movie. Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif form an amazing couple !

The DVD was in great condition, worked well. The movie is an old but goodie.

Tutto perfetto

Es la primer película que veo de Barbra y me gustó mucho. La conocía por las canciones de Glee y tenía mucha curiosidad. Vale mucho la pena. Llegó muy bien y en muy buenas condiciones. Gracias Amazon! ✨🙌