Hello Dolly Film Version — Page 2

As noted, the sets are waaaaaaaaaaaay too big (The Harmonia Gardens looks like it would command about the same square footage as Madison Square Garden), and the costumes are absurd (What *is* that purple thing she's wearing during the "Dancing" number?). The 14th Street Parade is about the size of the Rose Bowl Parade.

Some things dont *need* to be larger than life to succeed, y'know? I didnt have a real issue with Streisand as Dolly, but I admit she wasnt that much of a wow as I thought she'd be. But the movie around her was pretty appalling.

---

I do wish Gene Kelly had gone more out on a limb with the dancing. He was such a wonderful and innovative choreographer in his day and to just, basically, mimic Gower Champion's work was distressing.

As previously stated, Michael Kidd did the choreography; and, from what I hear, quite a bit of direction, especially in the musical numbers, in general. But, his choreography is nothing like Champion's was on Broadway. It was completely different, in every single number.

Gene Kelly never was a great director. Arthur Laurents says in his wonderful autobiography that Babs called him up during it and said "Help! I've got a tap dancer for a director!" It would be interesting to see what she would do with the part now that she has some years under her belt.

I saw on a "Biography" of Ann Margaret that she did a screen test to play Irene Malloy and sang "Ribbons Down My Back". Then I heard that Babs didn't want anyone prettier than her in the movie.

The film is, like so many other musicals of the period, just bloated.

---

While it certainly isn't my favourite film musical ( that has to be The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) it isn't the worst I've seen. Streisand is certainly miscast but she can sing it. Channing probably never was a serious option ((too Broadway) wasn't it Lucille Ball who wanted to do the movie?

Another who was close to being Irene Malloy was an Australian Trisha Noble. I've seen her screen test turn up more than once on documentries.

I heard Channing was never considered because she wasn't considered attractive enough.

---

I love this movie!

Yes, the sets are huge, but they're also SINGING and DANCING as they walk down the street... so you tell me what's "realistic?" It's a musical!

This movie is like a big bowl of sherbet on a warm summer's day.

---

BTW: if you ever want to see a movie musical that's almost completely styled out of its mind, look for RED GARTERS. It was released this past spring on DVD for about ten bucks, and it's worth every penny. An mind-boggling piece of work: a western musical filmed entirely on a sound stage.

---

The film of DOLLY is a totally different animal than the stage show, which is something that could never be recreated on film. As miscast as Streisand is, she brings real star charisma to the role, something sorely lacking in the rest of the (except for Matthau and Crawford) "where are they now?" cast.

The film is great to look at and listen to, and Streisand eats scenery as well as anyone.

As for casting the title role, I remember reading that the only real contenders besides Streisand were Elizabeth Taylor and Lucille Ball.

Thank god they didn't go with Lucille Ball, after she ruined Mame...

Thank God the last post was posted. Couldn't have said it better myself.

"Hello, Dolly!" is my all time favorite film. It's BRILLIANT!!!!

I recently saw the film twice on the big screen here in LA. In all it's 70MM glory. It was a completely restored and remastered print.

When Barbra is on the screen, you can't take your eyes off of her........she's AMAZING!!! She completely dominates the screen. When she's singing the slow intro to "Before The Parade Passes By," then talks to her late husband and starts to sing again and starts running.......it's thrilling! Absolutely thrilling! The lush score, the opulent design of the film, and the talent of everyone on screen, makes for a FANTASTIC theatrical experience!

Was she too young........not really. Back in the Gay 90's, women were getting married at 16-17. So, it's completely believable that she was a young widow. Perhaps, the script could have added a line saying something to that effect.

Sure, people love to bash the movie saying that Carol C should have recreated her stage role. It's apples and oranges. No matter who was cast........they were damned if they did and damned if they didn't since people love to compare the on screen Dolly to Carol's Dolly.

I saw Carol C in HD in 1982 here in LA and she was terrific! Hysterical!!!!!

It is a semi-charming diversion, but no where near the experience of the stage play with Carol Channing. I think if you have not seen the stage version and are a musical fan, then it may have a stronger impact on the viewer than those who have seen the play.

Other than being miscast, I really do not have any major qualms about Streisand in the part. Her voice is terrific, but acting-wise an older woman should be playing the role. She seems totally mismatched opposite Walter Matthau and the pathos of "Before the Parade Passes By" is completely lost with such a young performer. By contrast, Channing's throaty voice may not be traditional, but she owned the Dolly role like no one else and filled it with rich character embellishments and sublime comedic timing that were lacking in the film version. I have no problem with Crawford in the film, but I don't like Matthau at all. Horace is not an especially lovable role to begin with, but I find Matthau unfunny and especially off-putting in this film. The posters that note the pacing issues are also correct as the film seems longer than it should. Also, whose brilliant idea was it to incorporate Louis Armstrong into the title song?

you're 29 years old no parade is passing you by yet

Well, being a 29 year old widow in the early 1900's is not the same as being in the same situation today. I believe that she could feel that the parade is passing her by when she sees that everyone around her has hooked up.

---

She would have been considered "an old maid". After all, she was almost thirty and that was a big deal, even in the 60's when the film was made. It's not the case today, but it was in the 50's and 60's and early 70's.

---