I will admit that I never understood the die-hard fans of Barbara Streisand. It’s not that I didn’t like her; I just didn’t understand the hype. Now that I’ve seen Funny Girl, it is crystal clear why she has the fan base she deserves. She is funny, sweet and an incredible performer.
Most people already know this movie, but for those of you who have not seen it, I will give a quick synopsis. Barbara Streisand plays Fanny Brice who was the star of the Ziegfeld Follies from 1910 well into the 1930’s. It begins as she gets her first roll in a vaudeville show. She ends up stealing the show. After the show she meets Nick Arstein, (played by Omar Sharif) an entrepreneur and gambler. As Fanny’s career builds, she continues to run into Arstein. Eventually they marry and have a baby girl. Arstein’s investments begin to fail, leading to his resentment towards Fannie’s success. He makes an illegal investment and is sent to prison for 18 months. The end shows Arstein and Fanny parting right before she goes on stage.
There were several challenges between the original director and the producer, Ray Stark. So, he hired Bob Fosse to direct. The producer had many ideas for the lead of Fannie. Several women were considered for the role; Carol Burnett, Anne Bancroft, and others. Fosse chose Barbara Streisand for the stage role and the film role. The stage production commenced while the development of the film continued.
The film got great publicity when the song ‘People’ hit #5 on the Billboard Pop Charts. Prior to the films release in 1968, Streisand announced that she would play the role as herself since she felt that she and the character were so much alike.
Streisand earned an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for this role, and the film was nominated for many other awards including Best Picture, Best Music, etc.
I recommend this movie as a must see. This film shaped Streisand’s career and helped her become the celebrated actress she is today.
Most people already know this movie, but for those of you who have not seen it, I will give a quick synopsis. Barbara Streisand plays Fanny Brice who was the star of the Ziegfeld Follies from 1910 well into the 1930’s. It begins as she gets her first roll in a vaudeville show. She ends up stealing the show. After the show she meets Nick Arstein, (played by Omar Sharif) an entrepreneur and gambler. As Fanny’s career builds, she continues to run into Arstein. Eventually they marry and have a baby girl. Arstein’s investments begin to fail, leading to his resentment towards Fannie’s success. He makes an illegal investment and is sent to prison for 18 months. The end shows Arstein and Fanny parting right before she goes on stage.
There were several challenges between the original director and the producer, Ray Stark. So, he hired Bob Fosse to direct. The producer had many ideas for the lead of Fannie. Several women were considered for the role; Carol Burnett, Anne Bancroft, and others. Fosse chose Barbara Streisand for the stage role and the film role. The stage production commenced while the development of the film continued.
The film got great publicity when the song ‘People’ hit #5 on the Billboard Pop Charts. Prior to the films release in 1968, Streisand announced that she would play the role as herself since she felt that she and the character were so much alike.
Streisand earned an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for this role, and the film was nominated for many other awards including Best Picture, Best Music, etc.
I recommend this movie as a must see. This film shaped Streisand’s career and helped her become the celebrated actress she is today.
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