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Funny Girl
The Restored Film
August 2001 - Ziegfeld Theater, NYC
Review by John Kenrick
Oh what joy it is to sit in a full-size movie theater with a block-wide
screen, munching on fresh popcorn and watching a great musical movie!
These are not just memories of my childhood. Since the film version of Funny
Girl has just been restored and sonically digitalized for its upcoming release
on DVD, someone had the jolly idea of showing it off on big screens in several
cities. Visually, the results are handsome, with
explosions of lush color. A few
scenes seem a bit grainy, but I cannot testify whether or not they were just as
grainy when the film premiered – I did not see this gem on a big screen until
my college years. It certainly looks better than I ever remembered, and
seeing such a spectacle in its full wide screen glory is a visceral delight.
This film was always celebrated for its garish use of color, and those colors
are more outrageous than ever – perfectly appropriate for a 1960's attempt to
recapture the early 20th Century. (Of course, it was all the easier seeing this
in the Ziegfeld, with its red velvet walls and cartoonish, oversized crystal and
brass wall sconces.) This is the "roadshow version," with an overture,
full intermission and entre act. This ploy was used by several 1960's musical
extravaganzas to give a more "theatrical" experience to moviegoers in
key cities. It is a bit campy, but fans will love it – and yes, they plan to
include these in the DVD release. the overall sound quality is dynamite – at
times almost too much, but that's part of the fun.
Seeing Barbra Streisand's breakout performance on a big screen again is a
sock to the jaw and a lift to the heart. Wow! You may think you remember how
this felt, but trust me – its a revelation to go there again. Musical lovers and
Barbra fans alike will find this as fresh and thrilling as ever. I had forgotten how
perfect Omar Shariff and Walter Pigeon are here, and I will probably
never tire of Kay Medford's hilarious and endearing performance as Mama
Brice. The legendary William Wyler achieved some stunning effects that must
be seen in wide screen to be fully appreciated, and the entire production team
contributed to a genuine visual feast.
As I noted when reviewing the acclaimed Paper Mill Playhouse revival of
Funny Girl earlier this year, the Jule Styne-Bob Merrill score is still a
treat. Here it is augmented by songs the real Fanny made famous, particularly
"My Man." We also get a hilarious takeoff on "Swan Lake,"
with Streisand cutting up in a tutu. (The film makes little note of it, but her
handsome prince is Tommy Rall, former dancing star of
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Kiss Me Kate.)
The afternoon screening I attended had a small but delighted audience.
Despite limited publicity, musical buffs were out in such force that I
unexpectedly bumped into half a dozen friends. And every one of them was
delighted with the restoration. Not only were we all planning to grab the DVD
(set for release in late October), but most were already planning return trips
to the Ziegfeld. After all, the release is scheduled to last at least two weeks.
If this big screen release of Funny Girl comes to a theater near you, you'd
be crazy to miss it. And if you don't own a DVD player yet, get with the program kiddo!
Its time to relive this "beautiful reflection" of the golden age of musical
theater and film. Hey Mr. Ziegfeld – here she is!!!
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