Directing Dolly
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- Remembering Gene Kelly - Supplement to the gorgeous new Blu-ray of "Hello Dolly". One of the last Hollywood big-budget musicals, "Hello Dolly" nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox. Reportedly costing $25 million USD in 1969 The film grossed only $9 million USD. The 1890 New York exterior set seen here was all physically built - no CGI
here folks!
Dolly was filmed in the TODD-AO process using a 65 mm negative running at 30 frames per second, unlike conventional film which used a 35 mm neg. which ran at 24 fps. TODD-AO was the forerunner of Panavision, Cinerama and of course IMAX.
Trivia: The original design of Barbra Streisand's gold-beaded gown shown in the Harmonia Gardens scene weighed 40 pounds and cost $8,000. Twice during rehearsals, she tripped over its 2.5-foot train. Other dancers also tripped over it during rehearsal, so the train was taken off the dress. The train is shown intact when Streisand starts down the stairs, but later it disappears.
I Agree with Barbra that she was too young to play this part BUT, She sang the hell out of the score and now I can ONLY hear her voice singing it!!!! No one else can sing it now...........
Totally agree... I want to see Bette Midler on Broadway, but I'm afraid I'll be hearing Barbra ;-)
sobebenj At least I hope Betty Buckley does Dolly justice in the new national tour
Streisand's vocals are undeniably spectacular in the film but arguably too 1960's at certain points to exist in a a story about the turn of the century (the last section of "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" is a good example of an "omg" vocal that has nothing to do with the era of the story). However, the role certainly does not require her powerhouse vocals (the way that FUNNY GIRL absolutely does require that type of voice). I understand being devoted to Streisand's WOW vocals, but the role can be successfully sung by far less knock em dead voices. The key to the role is being an expert comic, with an irresistable personality and a heart as big as Yonkers itself. Streisand has all those qualities, but she was indeed too young. The role is expressly written as a middle aged widow determined to "live again." Carol Channing was in her mid 40's on Broadway, and the actresses who did the role in THE MATCHMAKER (Ruth Gordon on Broadway and Shirley Booth in the film) were both around 60 when they played it. Streisand was 28 and it's very difficult to believe such a robust presence woman with such dazzling looks would be struggling to "get some life back" into her life when she is not even 30 years old. It's like "of course she can get Horace if that's what she wants" as opposed to seeing a woman of at least 40 years old play it, and worrying that Horace may find her over the hill (yes, men are often shallow and foolish).
Sobbing Benni: Get to the hospital quickly and have those ears cleaned. “I can ONLY hear her voice singing it!!!”
It may be too late! Yes, she has pipes but there is a world of difference between just her pipes and performing a role that she was miscast in. You need to hear other voices. Wait, you’re telling me YOU ALREADY HEAR OTHER VOICES? Well as long as they don’t tell you to kill anyone you should be fine. Kids listening to Streisand, it happens every generation!!
This film is criminally underrated and doesn't get the love it deserves, one of the greatest musicals along with My Fair Lady, Sound of Music and all the other greats of the 60s and the last of classic hollywood era.
I have always said that Hello Dolly the 1969 musical directed by Gene Kelly with Barbra Streisand and Walter Mathau is the best filmed musical of all time! This was a brilliant piece of work and when you look at the numbers like Put on your Sunday Clothes, Before the parade passes by and the classic Hello Dolly number at the restaurant you can clearly see why. This film needed a dancer to direct and choreograph these numbers and they certainly found it in Gene Kelly, a HUGE TALENT. Selecting Barbra Streisand as Dolly was probably the best casting decision of the 20th Century. She was magnificent! The voice , the acting and the timing were all superlative how she did not receive an oscar nomination for this performance will trouble me to the grave. Matthau too was an idea choice as Horace Vandergelder an absolutely terrific job! Had the Oscars been clever enough to divide their categories as the Golden Globes have this film would have taken home a trophy for sure. Amidst the Covid crises when feeling down and out one day I decided to watch this film version of Hello Dolly and what a lift! This film has passed the test of time and luckily will be with us for generations to come. When I last saw Midnight Cowboy about two years ago I could not help but realize how it appeared so dated and thus has not passed the test of time. Thanks to all those who made Hello Dolly happen. You are to be commended! Bravo!
couldn't disagree with you more - too big, too splashy and overdone. thank God for Streisand singing flawlessly and saving this dud from being unwatchable - a weak supporting cast ( E.J. Peaker, Tommy Tune and whoever played Gussie Granger - all dreadful) constant fighting on the set, a bloated production cost of 28 million (in 1969) and sluggish business at the box office nearly put 20th Century Fox into bankruptcy and signaled the end of the big budget musical. Streisand herself didn't like the film and apparently Matthau was just as miserable at one point yelling at Streisand "quit directing the f*cking picture!" just a year earlier director Carol Reed got it right with " Oliver!", a box office hit winning 6 academy awards including best picture, doing all the things "Hello Dolly" was supposed to do.
I agree with your assessment. I only hear Barbara singing. Everyone else sounds second rate when singing g the numbers from this film. Originally, I wasn't sold on the supporting players but, now, I believe it was the correct choice. They were unknown so they didn't outshine the two at the top of the Bill( which is who the whole idea of matchmaker revolves around). They were young enough & unknown enough to be innocent in their talent,voice & screen presence( they were after all portraying hicks from up river). Wonderful movie that as you say, has not become dated but remains timeless.
The color and crisp picture here in incredible. WOW!
Bozo onthebus Thats the 70mm Todd-AO system at work. It was known in the industry as the “Rolls Royce” of photographic systems. The color and sharpness is still unsurpassed, in my humble opinion, and I’ve been lucky enough to have seen both “Dolly” and “The Sound of Music” in 70mm on the big screen.
dwa22204
Ooooh
What was it like?
Seeing it when it came out. :)
The atmosphere.
The experience from then to now.
I know Im kind of randomly asking but does anyone know a good place to watch new tv shows online ?
@Oakley Jensen Flixportal :)
@Darian Ahmed thanks, signed up and it seems to work =) Appreciate it!!
striesands' hello dolly! is under rated. it is on a grand scale. great acting. great musical numbers. the waiters' dance at harmonia gardens is one of the best dance numbers ever!
*So very true...!!! This is one of the best musicals ever made. The grandness & the spectacle, the numerous showstopping songs, some of the funniest & cleverest lines, the best cast & crew...!!! Barbra Streisand was pure perfection!!! Thank you Gene Kelly for giving us one of the most entertaining films in Hollywood's history...!!!* ♥♥♥
*This is one of the best musicals ever made. The grandness & the spectacle, the numerous showstopping songs, some of the funniest & cleverest lines, the best cast & crew...!!! Barbra Streisand was pure perfection!!! Thank you Gene Kelly for giving us one of the most entertaining films in Hollywood's history...!!!* ♥ ♥ ♥
I remember watching "Hello Dolly" being filmed as a kid. My two oldest brothers were hired as extras, but they apparently ended up on the cutting room floor as we've never been able to find them in the finished movie. It was interesting to see how they made the landing at Garrison look like 19th century Yonkers. They put fake bricks down on the blacktopped roads (sort of like linoleum) and plastic vines and flowers were attached to all the fences, etc. They didn't just build new porches & decks. They painted them and then carefully "aged" them as well, beating them up and making them look dirty and so on. I found it fascinating. The Golden Eagle served as Vandergelder's store, and the frosted glass in the doors of that building still have the V & G initials etched into them. The depot had fake towers added to it, and old-looking false fronts were added to any newer looking buildings. When they filmed the final wedding scene across the river at West Point, they built a whole sham church that looked really beautiful onscreen, but it actually only had two sides and no interior at all, and it was dismantled as soon as the filming was done.
I also remember that after we'd waited around to get autographs, Gene Kelly and Barbra Streisand were both very nice and friendly and signed everything people had brought, but Walter Matthau never came out of his trailer. That's not a criticism, though....just an observation. He may very well have had a good reason not to come out.
Funny the tales you hear. In one book(I think it was about Kelly or maybe Streisand) the author claimed that the church was real and they couldn't film inside because the minister wouldn't allow it. Hmmm.
Awesome story..sounds so exciting..Thanks for sharing that. I had some railroad enthusiasts inquire about the model of the train they used!
Caro Wells What great memories. Thank you very much for sharing.
Caro Wells maybe he was busy with one of the ingenues
My brother was an extra in the parade scene! Barbara sang beside him for a moment.
One of the absolutly best all American Family musicals ever made. Streisand is magnificent!
So sad 1969 audiences were over musicals at this point. Y’all had some amazing content presented to you, and you killed the genre.😭
not entirely true. just a year earlier director Carol Reed released "Oliver!" another big screen musical that was a big hit at the box office winning 6 academy awards including best picture. director Gene Kelly tried to reproduce that success and failed - too big, too splashy, over produced, a weak supporting cast (E.J. Peaker, Tommy Tune both dreadful), no chemistry between Streisand and Matthau and a 28 million dollar budget that in 1969 nearly put 20th Century Fox in bankruptcy due to sluggish business at the box office. audiences killed the genre with good reason - Hello Dolly was a dud.
So glad Mrs. Kelly did this documentary. Dolly is one of my favorite movies, & I've seen it around 40 times!
40 times? “Hello, Dolly!” THIS MOVIE? Y-O-U definitely need a life!
It’s a great movie, I agree with you, AND Louis Armstrong!
Pass Go Bran: No, this movie is not that great BUT adding Louis Armstrong was the only stroke of genius.
I can’t believe that this is only now being recommended for me!!
I am pretty sure that nobody would ever think about doing remake of this movie. simply because it is impossible to make it better!
besides 3 times is more than enough
The only other version of this story I know of on film is "The Matchmaker" (1958) which starred Shirley Booth, Shirley MacLaine, Anthony Perkins, Paul Ford and Robert Morse.
Martin Drienka The only way I can picture a remake is with Bette Midler after her recent success on Broadway
I wish they would remake it with bette middler
Get you mouth off someone’s ass. There is plenty that could be corrected as it was overblown and miscast, especially Streisand. You didn’t have to cast Channing but she was poor.
This is the movie when I first saw Barbra Streisand I've been mesmerized ever since.
Barbra Streisand is perfect for this film. It's so annoying when talent is not appreciated. Gene Kelly did a great job
“Barbra Streisand is perfect for this film.” ARE YOU AN IDIOT? 20 to 25 years too young. “Gene Kelly did a great job.” ARE YOU AN IDIOT? It was an overblown production, miscast and at a cost of $28 million, misguided.
John Pickford calm downnnn
N Q: I’m perfectly calm. It was poorly cast, overblown all to the tune of $28 million. You have your opinion and I have mine but saying Streisand “is perfect for this film”, please.
John Pickford calling people idiots in all caps over opinions does not display serenity to me
NotQueer: “are you an idiot?” Streisand was too young so the story made no sense and they spent $28 million (in 1968 dollars) thinking it would be a block buster. Is that calm enough for you? Could anything be more polite and sweet to the point? Have your delicate sensibilities been soothed? Then I’m calmly happy because in large or small font, people in may cases are still idiots when the facts are examined.
"He has this little weak voice"
*later becomes the Phantom*
LOL
It shows that even great directors with the epic talent of Gene Kelly can be wrong in there assessment of an actor's talent/abilities. So, when an actor believes he/she can do it, go for it! It's happend to me!
Watched it recently with my 20 year old, and we enjoyed every single moment...brilliantly directed, great songs..Streisand..Matthau...just..brilliant..
Ms Kelly is so articulate pretty and soft spoken . Gene Kelly was an amazing dancer and entertainer by far the most handsome charismatic & masculine dancer on the silver screen.
Many critics have said that Hello Dolly has aged well and is a much better film than Barbra thinks it is. For me, it's like a step back in time, very much like an old operetta. As for the Streisand-Matthau fued, it's probably been overplayed. Matthau's mother once appeared on the set and asked Streisand why she often fought with her son. Streisand said "I fight with the people I love." And at her 1986 concert, Matthau was a guest at her home and was shown in the final concert release.
steveb1164 He did. According to friends and family, Matthau never held any grudges for long. He was eventually seen attending Streisand's performance for charity.
Beta Shadow Well at least it’s better than not staying friends for the last nearly 50 years.
You meant HASN'T aged well. An important point you had a typo on.
@@ShadowLinkxMaster ...She made his life hell during the shooting of the film. She was notoriously tyrannical with fellow cast members. Kelly's daughter's feature is a glossy, phony feel good little Readers Digest style remembrance. In fact, there were very serious and unpleasant conflicts between Kelly and Streisand. If he ever talked about how much he respected her talent, I'm sure it was after he said many other things first.
I think that British themed musicals are often based on everyday people not the Monarchs. This story was probably too close to the lower class woman marrying above her class and had a political theme that England wanted to avoid.
One of the all time greats. I could watch this movie over and over and never tire of it. As I am fan of Kelly I already knew he directed it. It is a testament that his talents were not just limited to song and dance. He was so much more.
Just watched it (again for the umpteeth time)... and it's sensational!! Every moment of it.
Mc Kenna I’ve seen it only twice now
Mathau was a total prick to Barbra on that set. It’s hard to imagine the amount of pressure she was under when watching her being so effortlessly masterful.
Barbra camped it up in this movie, which is exactly the way it should be done. She has commented she took a little from Mae West and Scarlet O'Hara in playing the part, which are clearly both there. I got tired of people saying she was miscast --- she WAS the cast. Yes, she was younger than Wilder intended in his original play, but who cares? Her fabulous singing and shear charisma make the movie a joyous thing. I think Barbra herself has badmouthed this movie, but she was great in spite of herself.
OMG! What did Barbra say about herself here? I thought she's great in this movie!
@@driftersky Barbra has said she felt she was too young (at the time) for the role. But when she signed to play Fanny Brice in the movie version of "Funny Girl', it was a 3 picture deal. She HAD to do what the studio wanted. And they wanted a big name, box office draw. And after winning the Oscar for Best Actress in 1969, she was surely that.... and more. I will always consider this among my favorite musicals; as well as The Sound of Music, Funny Girl, Gypsy and West Side Story.
@@e.m.tanner179 Oh I see! that's interesting! Thank you! Let me guess which was the third picture... On A Clear Day?
Love Sound of Music and Funny girl... never seen Gypsy and West Side Story though, will have to get myself to watch those classics someday!
@@driftersky Yes, I believe OACD was the 3rd movie in her contract. Although I also remember reading that "The Owl and the Pussycat" was part of a contract deal as well. Perhaps a different contract? I'm not sure.
West Side Story and Gypsy (with Rosaline Russell) are both 'must see' classics! You won't be disappointed. Unfortunately, both lead roles were dubbed with other singers, but the performance are, none the less, wonderful.
I’m only 25, so I obviously wasn’t around for the debut of these movies, and am not as familiar with the genre. That being said, I truly wonder what an ideal Dolly Levi mast would be for these people. I don’t mind that Barbara is younger, who’s to say she didn’t marry young and her first husband died tragically? The only criticism I see is that she’s too young so do they think she performed well otherwise? Do they just dislike her performance because critics said to? I think it’s captivating and charismatic
I saw this film in the first week of its release in 1969 at Grauman's Chinese and the 70MM, visual clarity, eye-popping color, and multi-track sparkling sound knocked my socks off. I actually believe Barbra did a great job with what is a very lightweight script. She displayed tremendous presence. Ernest Lehman, flush from The Sound of Music, obviously saw himself as a genius screenwriter, but he should have employed a collaborator to sharpen the dialogue, humor, and plot points at key junctures in the story. It could have been a truly, enduringly hilarious and thrilling film and a classic for the ages. Too much hubris I suspect on Lehman's part. What I appreciate about it years later, is the craft of the industry, the production values, the amazing orchestrations and musical direction by Lennie Hayton, and vocal performance by Streisand of Hermann's score that will NEVER be matched. Imagine being 27 years old, with Flatbush poverty roots not that long ago, and you gotta carry the most expensive musical (at the time) ever made? Not sure how many undertalented, overhyped poseurs today could come close to pulling this off. Streisand once said she was uncomfortable with effusive praise, however geniune. She viewed what she did as the job that was EXPECTED of her, no more no less.
Thanks for taking the time Bill to write wonderful, loving critique!
I too saw it at Grauman's Chinese theater shortly after its premiere there.
(was in the front row of the bleachers at the premiere & Streisand walked right passed me after arriving. Was the only time I ever saw her live. What a thrill for a fan fanboy from the mid-west!)
I thought the film was absolutely wonderful! A great all American Musical.
Streisand was stunning! Can't imagine anyone else playing Dolly. (altho I've seen many celebrities play the roll on stage including Carol Chaning ... none have ever lived up to Streisand's performance or her voice)
LOVED IT❣️
The problem with the screenplay was that Lehman put too much of the non-musical source's ("The Matchmaker") dialogue and plot, and not enough of its dorect source, which is Michael Stert's stage libretto.
I think it's important to note that it wasn't "Hello, Dolly!" alone that nearly drove 20th Century Fox to bankruptcy; it was the combined losses of "Doctor Dolittle," "Star!" and "Dolly" the pushed the studio to the financial brink. In fact, "Dolly" performed better than the other two films and was actually the fifth highest grossing movie of the year. Many stories abound about how much it earned at the box office; some sources say it took in more than $33 million domestically and came close to breaking even thanks to its overseas engagements. But however you look at it, the film wasn't the profitable enterprise studio executives were hoping for.
Even though I was born in 1959 my mother first introduced me to Barbra Striesand when I was no more than 13 years old & today in 2019 all of these movies still live on even my grand children love watching them & here it is 2019
This is quite simply the best musical out there. The movie version is amazing as well. There will never be another like this
When Barbra sings “Hello Dolly” it still sends shivers. I love this movie. Mum took my sister and I to see the movie a good 40 years ago I guess. Mum was a movie buff. She kept up with directors, dancers, actors and actresses in those days. It wasn’t long before the soundtrack joined the family collection and we’d sing along. Love them all for making a musical that I have seen many times and will many more.
“On those cold winter nights, Horace,
“You can snuggle up to your cash register.
“It’s a little lumpy
“But it rings.”
Dolly Levi.
I hope I remembered it correctly.
You got it right! Thanks for the recollections. :-)
I absolutely love this movie. I've probably seen it around 45 times!!
According to Barbra in her autobiography Gene wanted to film the parade scene ending on her face and she told him it would be better to have it end zooming out to show the whole parade. They filmed it both ways and he used her way.
I love it! I always can watch it again and again and again! Streisand and Matthau are wonderful actors!
Thank you for posting this video of Gene Kelly as director “Hello Dolly” - one of my favorite musicals as I love Barbra Streisand and Michael Crawford, and Gene is one of my favorite MGM song/dance movie stars. Incredible that he took on the monumental task of directing a blockbuster musical which continues to be re-enacted in community & high school theaters. Recently saw El Dorado Musical Theater’s production of “Hello Dolly” with such incredible talent of young high school performers. Years ago, saw Carol Channing reprise her Broadway role as the original Dolly at our Sacramento Community Theater. Ms. Channing and I are both alumni (decades apart) of Lowell High School in San Francisco where the school theater is named in her honor. Gene Kelly's final choices of the actors made the characters and the movie so charming & memorable. Who would have known Michael Crawford would famously become the Phantom. And that Barbra's insatiable curiosity of film-making would set the stage for "Yentl". Barbra's Dolly won the heart of Walter Mattheau's curmudgenon Horace Vandergelder (obviously for his money). Love all the songs & incredible dance numbers in Dolly - a very happy musical film for family and all to enjoy, which they just don’t make anymore, unless it’s full of melodrama, death and controversy. Very much enjoyed this vid!
Really enjoyed it the colours are so beautiful... I saw it in Dublin on release... loved it and while Barbra was too young... the singing made you forget that... wonderful
Not surprised to see no one dislike this. Have to see the movie now, have not yet, as seeing this is like watching a top Impressionist painting brought to life with music and life.
I grew up with musicals that were big and lush. I saw this movie for the first time on TV and I thought it was merely OK. But from that day to this I always thought that if I had the chance to see it in 70mm on a big screen I would definitely go. By now it's a bucket list thing.
jimsher9880 - seeing this film on a Dimension 150 screen in 1969 was stunning. I hope you get to see it at the Arclight Cinema some day in Hollywood.
jlmurrel From your mouth to God's ears!
I saw it on New Year's Eve 1969 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood! Was about to graduate from high school. It was super exciting and I loved it.
I saw it the week that it opened at Grauman's Chinese as well, and it blew me away. The presentation at that theatre was perfect.
This is a must-see on the big screen. Amazing.
Before Dolly, Michael Crawford did “How I Won the War” with John Lennon. He tells a story of John calling him into his hotel room and wanting his opinion on a song he was working on, John sat on the edge of a bed with his guitar and played Strawberry Fields Forever for him
That is one of my all time favourite movies.
Such a wonderful, often underrated movie !The wohle design + costums, the spectaculare dance szenes and the incredibly energetic performance with wonderful singing by Streisand give us 2 and a half hours of wonderful, lovable entertainment. Director Gene Kelly did a fabulous job !
A beautiful innocent movie. That’s what you call entertainment that’s all we want. Barbra is brilliant.
Barbra Streisand was absolute in her wonderful performace of this Broadway classic. I also loved the beautiful dress.
Iwish they would release this classic again on the big screen
I watched this movie as a child and loved it so much I bought the vinyl (there were no VCRs those days) . Recently I bought the dvd and even after decades it is still a wonderful and entertaining movie, one of the most perfect movies ever made, the shots are incredible, the colors explode and there is not one single boring scene in it, it´s fun from start to ending and I hope I´ll get the chance to watch it one day in a theater. Kelly did a marvellous job and I think it is the most difficult movie to shoot he´s ever made, even more complicated than An American in Paris. Some critics are telling nonsense. Streisand was wonderful in that part and it doesn´t matter she is younger in the part than it was written. There are movies with actors with the wrong age and I will never understand why Ford hired a 50 year old Jimmy Stewart to play a 20something for The Man who shot Liberty Valance. But Streisand was perfect, especially if we keep in mind that aroud this period it wasn´t that unusal that a young woman married a much older man, especially when it was about money and that´s what the story is about, and the young woman Dolly is hired to set up marriage with Matthaus charakter looks even younger than Streisand but no critics seems to mind or even realize that!!! I am also very happy that the movie finally made a big profit through re-release, tv and VHS DVD sales and I am sure this movie will stay around for a long time to come.
One of my top three favorite movie musicals. Saw it as a kid on TV and it was what got me to try out theater in High School.
One of my favorite movies to watch again and again!
I agree that Barbra was too young for the part, but her performance is absolutely phenomenal! As was said, she was cast before anyone else by an executive who probably completely ignored the point of the show. And I think under those circumstances, Barbra was magnificent.
Wow fabulous thanks for posting. Biggest thrill of my cinema going life was seeing a brand new 70mm six track mag print of 'Hello Dolly' on the Cinerama curved screen at Pictureville Bradford in the UK some years a go, just blew today's digital away.
i saw it in its first run engagement at Grauman's Chinese and it knocked my socks off as a teenager. Streisand did justice to the score for all time and the images were huge and just jumped off the big screen.
When I was very young, I wanted to visit 20th Century Fox studios for my birthday. Back in those days you could tour the studio in a very small group. It wasn't open with a big bus or tram driving you through. You walked from sound stage to sound stage and onto the old west street in the back lot. That summer they were just finishing filming Hello Dolly. I got to walk down the old New York City street (along the street in the studio) and into the sound stage where the Harmonia Gardens event took place. Yes, the stairs were there and everything in red! The tour guide told us that fresh flowers were shipped in from Hawaii every filming day for the Harmonia Gardens segment. It wasn't until I saw the film that I got to see that scene in it's entirety! What a great way to view a studio! These types of tours were so special and I was one of the lucky ones who got to see what I did. I even saw the REAL Batmobile!!
What a great experience that must have been. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVED it all as a child.And still do :)
Walter Matthau disliked Barbra. I think Barbra is mesmerising in this. Just love her, such a talent.
Patricia Lavender That story has been overplayed. They did irritate each other, especially because Streisand wanted to learn about the movie-making process. But they became sort-of friends after the movie. Matthau was invited to her 1986 concert, and he’s seen prominently in the final video, which obviously Streisand made herself. If she disliked him, he wouldn’t have been invited, and he wouldn’t have been shown on the video. And if he disliked her, he wouldn’t have attended.
The quintessential stage to screen musical. Such an amazing film!
a year earlier 'Oliver' did it better and it was actually a box-office hit.
Mrs. Kelly❤ paid a great tribute to the incomparable talent and contributions of her husband Gene. She really understood what Gene did in this film.
Man, they must've had so many extras to pay, but that is the way it works. I worked on Dark Knight Rises and we needed 1000 extras for the Wall St. brawl.
Well being a studio film, that was pretty standard fare to always have 1000's of 'players' available for every movie.
I love this movie. The timing of the big musical was off. It was a dying breed. But it's SO WELL DONE, it's stood the test of time.
We just took our daughters, who are 9 & 11, to see this musical. They loved it and thought it was the best thing they'd ever seen in a while. My 9 year old was on the edge of her seat the entire time with a big smile on her face! Nothing like introducing a really good musical to your kids! You sure don't see them like this anymore! We loved it!
For “a really good musical” try OKLAHOMA! or THE KING and I”. You should be a better parent and introduce them to better examples than this one.
@@johnpickford4222 That was a bit harsh and her comment is from 4 years ago. Let her be.
Eric Miletic: So are you trolling TH-cam comments? There are far better musicals as I indicated. What’s harsh is that you feel the need to criticize me only because she wrote something four years ago. Of course we had choices four years ago . . .
@@johnpickford4222 Not trolling an 1/8 as much as you are. Just reading comments and there you are trolling and calling people out just for liking the movie. Grow up.
EJMnMeltsinMy Mouth: Troll, it isn’t that someone likes the movie-that is their choice-but there are far better examples of the genre to chose from. It seems that everyone who appreciates Barbra Streisand thinks both she in this role and the movie are great; she is as a performer, vocalist and humanitarian, but not in this role and not this movie. She was 26 playing a woman 20, 25 or 30 years older and casting Matthau made it look like father and daughter!
Here Streisand was at her peak as an actress and singer; and she was also really funny herself, rather how she has become a bit artificial nowadays. Yes, She was totally miscast here because Dolly is almost twice her age, but the range of her voice, her charisma and ease on the role is undeniable. And about the alleged dispute between her and Matthau, well, she was a highly talented woman, smart and willing to make her own decisions in a world where men were suppose the only to be in command, and she was unapologetic about her opinions and ideas about what could work for her, she still is the same. I guess she asked for choices that she thought were best for her, and as a perfectionist she was then, she also hit hard at Matthau's ego probably without any bad blood intentions, but out of her own ideas of what could be good in the film, as she did in "Funny girl" with William Wilder. Wilder said about Streisand: "she was very professional, very good, a hard worker, too hard at times; she would work day and night if you would let her; she is absolutely tireless". Walter Matthau was a fantastic actor but without ambitions outside of his acting career, as opposed as Streisand was. A few years later, she too began pursuing a career as a director. These things happen anywhere, not just in the movie business. And let's be honest, women are often labeled difficult and tyrannical at times when we, as men, are labeled as talented and hardworking. I love this movie, as much as I hate, I must say, movies like "Mamma mia". This was probably the last great musical of glamorous Hollywood.
Would love to talk to you about the end of streisand the legend, somewhere around 1967-68 and the murder of the divine miss m by Bette Midler around 1973-74.
A truly magnificent film, no matter the critics.
That dress is gorgeous! I always wanted to sashay down those stairs like Barbra, clothed in that golden wonder of a gown. I love that entrance scene!
Patricia Ward KELLY, the presenter of this clip, was married to Gene KELLY. She is one of those rare persons where there is no conflict between the 'real self' and the 'ideal self'. One listens to her, and one doubts not a thing. This is a superb offering 👏 on You Tube.
oh please. she's obviously doing damage control on one of the worst shooting fiasco's in musical film history. i wish she'd touch on Matthau loosing it with Streisand yelling "stop directing the f*cking picture!"
7:32 Barbra said in her autobiography that it was her idea to zoom out instead of zooming in, which was much more effective.
Barbra was theoretically too young, but her youth brought a much needed energy to the film and she was somehow totally believable, just magic.
Yes, technically an older person would have been more accurate, but who cares? It's all good fun. No one else could begin to combine the fabulous singing and the sheer screen presence of Barbra. It's hard for me to compare it to FG. She plays a more realistic character in FG which, in addition to a lot of humor, is a serious movie. In HD she is almost camp, hitting all the right comedic notes. As some critic said, when she is off the screen, all you want is for her to come back ASAP!
I was very fortunate as a child, my mom heard about the filming of Hello Dolly in Garrison and Cold Springs, NY. (We lived nearby). She and I went and watched some filming of the parade scene (constant cuts and retakes; very boring). I was a cute kid, so someone asked if my mom and I wanted to be extras in the parade scene, so we said yes. Can you see us, no, but we were there. Then after the scenes finished for the day, visitors could walk through the town, past the stores and parks as they were decorated for the movie. A once in a lifetime event.
Never knew about cold springs. Will ride up there soon.
Not sure what you're talking about here, my dear....nice story but only half true. 🤨 Maybe you were a wee tot when you were in Garrison, and you're relying on your mom's account and are confused BECAUSE the big parade set was in CALIFORNIA, and was reskinned facades of 20th's offices right in Century City on LA's west side... it was an ingenious idea that saved a lot of money. That huge set was used for years in other movies and TV series before being slowly dismantled over time. Directly behind the camera at the end of the Before the Parade Passes By number....was the very busy Pico Boulevard!!
Love the restaurant hello dolly even just before she arrived.. pure perfection
My favorite move of all time. Can’t go wrong with the most talented people of the 20th century!
Beautiful film.
Wonderful music and dancing.
Gene ought to be proud.
Michael Crawford's (then) untrained voice was perfect for the role and the way he played it. Innocent and kind of awkward (like Michael himself). 🥰
Barbra Streisand was later proud & honored to create duet songs with her former co-star, Michael Crawford, after his Phantom fame. When Michael sings "Music of the Night", there's a part where his voice reminds me of Cornelius Hackle. Thank goodness, Andrew Lloyd Webber recognized the strength of Michael's voice to perform Phantom.
@@devydu What part reminds you of Cornelius?
No.
He was an embarrassment in this film. It also helped kill ej peaker’s career.
@@Mira_Dunia Check out this "Music of the Night" and there are several parts that remind me of Cornelius, even beginning of song, which I find very endearing and tender. Then Michael also powerfully sings with emotional intensity which makes him the greatest Phantom! th-cam.com/video/d3NIK-nsI2g/w-d-xo.html
Too young, perhaps, but oh, what a talent. And Streisand attacks Dolly with the verve of a Jewish yenta. That works spectacularly well. Not to mention the way she belts out that score. And Kelly's direction and Kidd's choreography make this a true American masterpiece in the movie musical milieu.
The sheer delight one feels from beginning to end is infectious and sustainable. It's a wonderful film on every level of craftsmanship. Had it been released just 5 years earlier it would have garnered the respect it deserved. Thankfully, film is forever. And Hell Dolly! has lived on since. What a joy!
Though this film was maligned when it first came out, time has shown it to
be probably the last of the traditional Hollywood musicals. It came out against
the likes of EASY RIDER and other anti-establishment films. As for Streisand
being miscast -yes she was young, but she could actually SING the score.
Carol Channing's outsized personality would NEVER have worked on screen in
this role, no matter her success on stage. So, who should they have cast? Lucille
Ball? Anne Bancroft? Rosalind Russell? None of them would have been right.
The film of DOLLY has Class in its costumes, sets, Michael Kidd choreography,
Gene Kelly direction and a well-chosen cast. I find it amusing when people say
Matthau was miscast as Vandergelder. (Excuse me, the role is SUPPOSED
to be a cumidgeon and OLDER). I find the performances of the little-known
Marianne McAndrew (Irene), Danny Lockin (Barnaby) and Judy Knaiz (Gussie)
to be especially endearing. True, Michael Crawford sometimes seems to be
channeling Tommy Steel, but even his awkwardness works most of the time.
No, DOLLY has stood the test of time quite well. Some people may not like it,
but I've never known anyone embarrassed by it.
LieslJones59 Well said, I totally agree 😊
No other person, alive or dead could do better justice to that character than Barbra did, DESPITE her young age. She really done excellent job there. Just give me one example of female lead performance in musical comedy anywhere close to this masterclass. Anyone...?
@@MartinHomeVideo No shade on Barbra, but Julie Andrews in "Victor/Victoria" is a definite contender.
@@MartinHomeVideo Julie Andrews in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Liza Minnelli in CABARET, and Barbra Streisand in FUNNY GIRL (FAR more impressive than her DOLLY performance). And if you are including musicals that did not originate on Broadway, then Judy Garland in nearly anything she was in, especially A STAR IS BORN.
Gary Jaffe NON of them beats Streisand in Dolly. Sorry. Not even Streisand in Funny Girl. In 100 years time if you say Streisand they’ll say Hello Dolly. I bet my pants! (Sure, Liza was very good in Cabaret, but not phenomenal, I mean I can imagine there might be other actress able to do same or even better job, not so with Barbra in Dolly)
I'm surprised they didn't mention Louis Armstrong.
It would have been nice. When I first saw the movie, I watched it with a friend and we thought it was just good, but when they got to that extravagant scene of 'Hello, Dolly' and then had Louis playing our jaws dropped at how awesome it really was. Best number in the film.
I thought same thing, especially as it was the defining musical number of the movie and was so great with him in it.
Yes Great respect to the Fabulous, charismatic, brilliance of Louis Armstrong. Without him the song “Hello Dolly” wouldn’t have the infinite love people have for it today!
This was a beautiful film and I think it was Streisand's 2nd film after Funny Girl. I saw all of her early films and back then since she was such a big star you had to buy the tickets over the phone and they booked you for an evening to view the movie.
I think a lot of that was because theaters were still trying to compete with television so they wanted to make the theater going experience as much of an event as possible, especially in places like NYC or LA
Thanks for posting - I was lucky to see the remnants of the NY parade sets. It was partially being used for NYPD Blues and redressed as San Francisco for Dharma & Greg, but I recognized it instantly - the Ext. of the Harmonia Gardens & the park/fountain were near the Pico front entrance when I worked at Fox in the 90s. -- then sadly, I remember when Fox Sports glass building took over that front corner of the lot. Leave it to the Jocks to stamp out this musical heritage - lol :)
Thanks for haring your memory.. it must have been awesome seeing that in person.
I saw the sets briefly in ‘71 when I was a kid. My godfather worked the picture there as an extra. Magical.
I was an Extra in this movie Gene lived in my house and my neighbors property had the costumes and food tents. A great time for a 6 year old kid
+xNYr Thank you for posting this video. I'd just like to clarify that your information regarding the grosses of Hello, Dolly! is inacurate. The film grossed $33 million domestically, enough to make it the fifth top grossing film of 1969. It grossed another $20 million in foreign markets.
I love this movie . for me this was by far the best musical movie ever and i have to thank Barbra for it with her tremendous talent and out of this world voice she was amazing ! I love to watch it again and again and I m certainly stuck with the final song Hello dolly that sometime out of nowhere comes to my mind! Barbra is the reason I learned how to sing ! She supremely talented in many ways . I simply adore her and the movie
thank God for Barbra - in my opinion she saved the film from being a total dud. i watch her songs and skip the rest.
Loved this movie! Had the album when in high school! 1971 🤣👌🔥
Brilliant film musical... well done by ALL involved.. you made a difference. Thank you - Michael, South Africa.
My favorite Barbra movie.
I remember when this came out, I went to see it 3 times :)
Still the movie lost $16 millions
We’re you being punished?? Three times? To watch an overblown miscast film musical that much is child abuse.
EVERYTHING about this movie is perfect❤️
'perfect' is a generous word when addressing this monstrosity of a box-office dud. sorry.
Thank you! I'm a HUGE Michael Crawford Phan, and seeing him in his first BIG Hollywood film was so great and at the tender age of 10, I was hopelessly lost in-love with Cornelius Hackl!
*SIGH!*
One of my favorites this an West side story 2 of the best musicals ever made on the big screen
Great details!!!! Awesome footage. Love this movie and its history.
This play was my Senior High School senior play for the Music Department. I was neither a member of the choral department or a musician. I was a math geek that wanted to be in my senior play. I asked the music director if I could be in the play and so I auditioned. He had to explain to his class who this non singer was that was singing in his play. All these kids had been singing together for years. I didn't even try for a speaking part. I was boy in back #2. (Oh and dancer on wobbly table #1.) After this final performance I retired never to sing nor dance on a wobbly table. Hello Dolly was the greatest play ever. Oh wait. I brought back boy in back and wobbly table dancer for South Pacific and The Music Man. Then retired.
I remember hearing Fred Astaire's response after he watched the 'So long, dearie' scene. He said, "She's ok--if you like talent'
I've met Barbra; twice and spoken and laughed. I love you Patricia Ward Kelly. I wish we could meet.
Strange that there’s no mention of how much everybody loathed each other whilst making this film.. 🤣
All I care about is the finished product...Streisand always gets the slings and arrows for being 'difficult'....all I know is she never held up production, didn't cause films to run over budget, and finished filming on time. Big budget films with stars and stars behind the camera(directors and producers), can be cauldrons of conflict and clashing personalities...and yet this film, starring a young actress who was signed before an inch of celluloid was filmed on Funny Girl, proved herself like no one else. I've said it before: just a few years separated from impoverished Flatbush roots, and now she's carrying these big films where she has to sing, dance, play comedy and drama...WHO could do that better then, or today? And don't say Lady Gaga...her pipes ain't that great, she has the screen presence of a salamander (sorry folks, A Star is Born was a stinker...the lady cannot act!), and she's devoid of acting technique. Give babs credit where credit is due, and the cast for making it all work.
@@BillofRights1951 agreed. i too care about the finished product and Dolly was a dud. if Streisand was a pain on the set it didn't pay off - poor box-office, critical boos, over produced, over stuffed - maybe Matthau summed it up with his quote aimed at Babs - "Stop directing the fucking picture!"
What a wonderful video clip! Well done, Mrs. Kelly, I enjoyed it very much!!! ❤️
Mrs. Kelly doing damage control on one of the most disappointing box office flops of the 60's.
Minunat....adevaratii profesioniti,artistii valorosi ne marcheaza viata....
What a great Movie!!!!
Thanks for posting..a fabulous piece, very informative ! thumbs up !
Gene Kelly also learned from Judy Garland ..in his first movie .. he said she taught him a lot about filming 📽️......
One of my very favorite movies!!!!!!!!
One Of My Favorite Movies🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🥰🥰🥰
A brilliant multi-tasking star.
I love this movie so much! Dolly forever! 💗
I understand the controversy at that time, but Streisand gave a mature performance and viewers of today don't even think twice about her as Dolly. The film is a relic of the past, and expertly crafted. Personally, I would rather go to the dentist than sit through another showing because I don't care for mega-musical films. But it is to be admired.
Ernest Lehman wrote the screenplay. He also wrote The Sound.of Music.😊
And he did an Spectacular job!!! 👌👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I love this film, have seen it so many times.
a wonderful women and actress !!! .. I love her :)))))
ikr
I'm normally not so crazy about Barbra, but I loved her in this. It's my impression she knew she was too young for the role, and wisely, decided not to act older, just have fun with it. Gene Kelly's widow provides wonderful insight, although the neck she purchased and displays here is pretty scary.
Why "too young"? My mother was a widow at 26. It happens.
A Krenwinkle At least her singing and occasional comic timing was forgivable
Michael is The Phantom on Broadway.