Funny Girl is on TCM right now

[HamfourHam]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 12:44pm

If anyone is interested. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 12:52pm

 

FUNNY GIRL premiered at New York City's Criterion Theater on September 18, 1968

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 12:57pm

[HamfourHam]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 1:00pm

It's amazing to think about what Barbra accomplished on that stage in 1964. And only in her early twenties. What a legend. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 1:03pm

 

I never cared for the film's ugly opening credits. I know it was 1968 but really these LSD inspired psychedelic opening titles had no place in a film musical - - - unless of course if it was "Hair". 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 1:10pm

I haven't seen it in awhile so thanks to you HamfourHam I have it on right now and one thing about this movie that always bothered me is it's fairly anachronistic look: from Barbra's fingernails, to her Cleopatra inspired eye makeup, to the Ziegfeld girls' bouffant hairstyles. It's the 1930s filtered through a late 60s lens. 

 

Watching Barbra as a teen-aged Fanny in the beginning of the film with long fingernails and a pound of eyeliner on is unintentionally hilarious - - - and just plain weird.

 

I love the score though and she gives a great performance but even to this day I cannot get through the second act. After "Don't Rain On My Parade" I tune out.

[fflagg]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 3:20pm

It's only a movie. ??

Re her makeup/nails, you could make a case how an ugly insecure girl compensates by things she can control, like her nails and makeup. The same issue can be raised for most other 1960s film musicals. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 3:26pm

How did Barbra ever think she was ugly? Sure, she had the nose, but other than that I've always thought she was gorgeous. I agree, her nails in all her films (especially period ones) were obnoxious. For someone who wanted to be taken so seriously as an actress, you'd think she could lose her long fingernails once in a while.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 3:32pm

I always think about if Barbra still dislikes her looks. I know she felt very connected to Fanny because she was only praised for her talent, not her looks, but I hope Barbra has learned to love her looks. Because she really is gorgeous! Crimped 2015 hair and all.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 4:26pm

It wasn't just the nose. Streisand's body was also oddly shaped, which made her look shorter and squatter than she was; the costumes in FG are all calculated to disguise her silhouette. And show business being what it is, I'm sure she was told hundreds of times that she was no Ava Gardner or Elizabeth Taylor.

 

The same was true of Judy Garland. I think her face was rather pretty, with no features as extreme as Streisand's nose. But Garland was constantly told she was no Lana Turner, etc., and that she actually needed constant medication to fix her "faults". Hell, it was even written into scripts that Garland was so plain that Andy Hardy never noticed her until he needed a singing partner.

 

I think both women look gorgeous in certain films, but I suspect they felt as if they were "in disguise".

Updated On: 1/3/16 at 04:26 PM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 8:49pm

I've always thought it had a verrrrrry 1968 aesthetic for being what, 1920??

 

Another egregious offender in that respect is Julie Andrews in The Sound Of Music. That hairstyle is not that of a 1930's nun.

Updated On: 1/3/16 at 08:49 PM

[Fantod]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 9:03pm

Oh yeah, I actually forgot that Funny Girl takes place in the 1920's.

 

The show is no great shakes, but Barbra is hilarious in it, so it's fun to watch her. The Swan Lake scene always gets me.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/3/16 at 9:08pm

"I always think about if Barbra still dislikes her looks."

 

She'd rather walk backwards out a door and around the block than be seen from her right profile.  I don't know if she dislikes her looks but I bet she thinks about them a LOT.

[Robert16]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 12:55pm

will we ever see a revival on Broadway?

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 3:03pm

Most certainly! Probably before 2025, would be my guess. I don't know if the West End production will transfer or not, but if we don't have a revival by 2025 I'd be quite honestly shocked. A 55th anniversary production would be amazing, and a touring "Funny Girl" would be a cash cow.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 3:09pm

It would?

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 3:27pm

You think otherwise? It's one of the most well known musical scores out there, and touring reflects largely of the teen and adult audience. The teen audience will see it because of "Glee", the adult audience will see it because of the classic movie they saw growing up. At least, that's what I think. But if you have a reason why you think it wouldn't be successful, please, I'm open to hear why!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 3:54pm

Ok

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 5:26pm

Well, a highly anticipated 1996 National Tour of FUNNY GIRL starring Broadway regular (and 80s pop star) Debbie Gibson closed abruptly shortly after it began so that theory of the show having a guaranteed fan base speaks for itself.  Same applies to the highly anticipated 2011-2012 Broadway revival that was to be directed by Bartlett Sher and starring Lauren Ambrose that was cancelled even before the first rehearsals ever took place.   Producers pulled the plug because they couldn't find more investors.  This was all while GLEE was still strong on FOX TV.  

Updated On: 1/5/16 at 05:26 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 5:46pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Well, a highly anticipated 1996 National Tour of FUNNY GIRL starring Broadway regular (and 80s pop star) Debbie Gibson closed abruptly shortly after it began so that theory of the show having a guaranteed fan base speaks for itself.  Same applies to the highly anticipated 2011-2012 Broadway revival that was to be directed by Bartlett Sher and starring Lauren Ambrose that was cancelled even before the first rehearsals ever took place.   Producers pulled the plug because they couldn't find more investors.  This was all while GLEE was still strong on FOX TV.  "

 

Oh yes, I forgot about the announced Bartlett Sher helmed revival starring Lauren Ambrose. I recall that Bobby Cannavale was announced or in talks to play "Nick Arnstein" if I'm not mistaken - - - and then the money men did not come through and the plug was pulled.

 

 

 

Updated On: 1/5/16 at 05:46 PM

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 6:30pm

I think that the tour is a solid piece of evidence, however, and I guess this doesn't really translate to the US, but the London revival sold out really quick. I think it's wanted more now than it was in 1996. The Lauren Ambrose revival doesn't really prove anything, in my opinion. Especially because the reason it was cancelled was due to lack of funding. I think if they had gotten a well known theatre name, it would have gone ahead with production. But we'll never know for sure. That being said, I really enjoy hearing why you aren't convinced it would go over well. So thank you for appeasing me!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 6:40pm

Someone correct me if I'm working, but the London revival is also playing a tiny theatre, which makes it easier to sell out. 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 8:25pm

You're correct, the theater before transfer is 150 seats, compared to the 1,158 seated Savoy Theater. But I still think selling out the entire 22 week run of a 150 seat theater in 90 minutes is proof of a high demand for the show, if only in the UK. But yeah, it is a very small theater. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 9:23pm

lol why would they do a 55th anniversary production, wouldn't a 50th anniversary have made more sense (in 2014)?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/5/16 at 9:41pm

Plus, the current UK revival stars the highly acclaimed and much beloved British stage and television actress Sheridan Smith.  She's also a large reason of why the West End production of LEGALLY BLONDE: The Musical was so successful.  This revival of FUNNY GIRL isn't just popular on its name alone, it has a guaranteed draw with Sheridan that most likely wouldn't have had if they had mounted the production with hopes the title alone (and the Streisand connection) would bring in audiences.