A Few Words About A few words about...™ Funny Girl -- in Blu-ray (2 Viewers)

[KPmusmag]

I don't think the orchestration is totally different. The strings are the same, but brought more forward and the piano is mixed way down. Maybe a slightly different mix of the album track? It matches so close it's hard to believe it's not the same.

 

[JohnMor]

Streisand's vocal track for the version on the "My Name is Barbra" album was recorded separately from the orchestra, as was extremely common during those busy years (and into the 70's) so the orchestration for the album vs film version is not applicable. It is indeed the very same vocal track laid against a different background track. And yes, the decision to synch to that recording would have had to have been made before the camera rolled.

 

[KPmusmag]

For those in the Los Angeles area, Funny Girl and Funny Lady will be showing at The Egyptian Theater (where FG premiered in 1968) on Sun., July 10.

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/funny-girl-funny-lady

 

[Malcolm Bmoor]

The version of FUNNY GIRL I would like to see is the one that Barbra Streisand prevented existing.

As William Wyler said: 'After all, it's the first film she's directed'

She interfered at every stage and caused other actors parts to be diminished when she feared their competition.

 

[Garysb]

The version of FUNNY GIRL I would like to see is the one that Barbra Streisand prevented existing.

As William Wyler said: 'After all, it's the first film she's directed'

She interfered at every stage and caused other actors parts to be diminished when she feared their competition.

I think you are quoting old rumors concerning other actors parts being diminished on Ms.Streisand's orders. Anne Francis was supposedly a source of such rumors and she apologized to Ms. Streisand stating she knew Streisand was not responsible for her part being reduced to a cameo. Originally Francis's character left the Follies due to age and became an alcoholic. The part of an aging showgirl was completely cut out of the stage version of the show. Streisand had to sign a five picture contract with Ray Stark, which she didn't want to do, or risk not being cast in Funny Girl. The films were Funny Girl, The Owl and the Pussycat, The Way We Were, For Pete's Sake, and Funny Lady. It doesn't seem likely at that stage of her career that she could dictate how Funny Girl should be edited. She did, I am sure, offer her opinion about what worked and did not work in the film having played the role of Fanny Brice on stage for most of the 3 years prior to filming the movie. Whether she was listened to is anyone's guess. William Wyler and Ray Stark were certainly not obligated to follow her orders in 1967 when the film was made.


From the internet:
Following the disappointing end to her show, Anne Francis signed to appear with Barbra Streisand in the film version of “Funny Girl.” Her character, boozing Ziegfeld Girl Georgia James, was famously pared down from the second female lead to barely a cameo. For decades the scuttlebutt was that Streisand herself had ordered the cuts because Francis was so good in her scenes and Babs was worried that she’d steal the picture. The Anne Francis accusation was always used when anyone wanted to diss Barbra and her control-freak ways. Finally, a few years ago, Francis posted an open letter to Barbra Streisand on her website:

Dear Barbra,

It has gnawed at me for years that you have believed that I blamed you for cutting most of my scenes from “Funny Girl.” I felt the sadness of the misunderstanding all over again when I read a supposed quote of yours last year saying that you had heard me blame you on a TV talk show. The only talk show I did on the subject was on Johnny Carson, and Joey Bishop was subbing that night. I tried to make it plain that I did not blame you, and had no idea why I was cut from the film. To this day, I don’t know the circumstances that caused the decision, but I am lead to believe it probably had to do with the length of the film. The sub plot of Georgia’s histrionics with Florenz Ziegfeld was really not necessary to the story about Fanny Brice.

In all fairness, I understand that the press believed that I felt that way because my public relations person, who was also a very dear friend, did believe it, and she made the statements that were attributed to me. I was caught in the middle, and rather than point a finger at her, I did the best I could to refute the story whenever confronted by an interviewer. The whole thing was messy and painful. I had never been embroiled in that sort of ruckus before. I know you were going through a lot of flack as well during those stormy days when first you hit Hollywood (or It hit you!). I had hoped then that it would all blow over quickly, but when I saw the quote you allegedly made recently, I felt awful once more.

At the age of thirty-five (over the hill in those days!), the role of Georgia was a great gem for me, and I had high hopes (I had just come off of “Honey West”) that it would do a lot for my “career.” The flashy role, along with the drunk scene (which hit the editor’s floor) pretty much cinched the prospect of a supporting nomination with the Academy that year. So, you can understand the humiliation when each day a note would be slipped under my dressing room door, “omit scene so and so.” The scene named would always be the one I had been called in to do that day. I am not whining, dear lady. We’ve all taken our lumps in this “Business.” I’m just sharing with you what was going on at that time with me. You had your own problems. I marveled at how you handled yourself on your first encounter with the alien world of the film industry.

I have had the greatest respect for your talent and for what you have made of yourself, Barbra. You are a brilliant woman and I have always wished you the very best. One more time, it is important for me before I leave this planet to say, I have never accused you of having the role of Georgia cut to the quick.

God Bless,

Anne


http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/220494|0/Behind-the-Camera-Funny-Girl.html

 

[KPmusmag]

The version of FUNNY GIRL I would like to see is the one that Barbra Streisand prevented existing.

As William Wyler said: 'After all, it's the first film she's directed'

She interfered at every stage and caused other actors parts to be diminished when she feared their competition.

Streisand prevented it from existing? How could a WOMAN do that? I guess William Wyler was a pretty pussy then, wasn't' he? Apparently he couldn't stand up to the WOMAN named Streisand.

I am SINCERELY sorry I mentioned the special screening at The Egyptian for the people who like the film as is. Don't like the movie? Don't freakin' pay for the ticket. Don't freakin' buy the DVD.

The movie was made FORTY-EIGHT years ago.

Khan Noonien Singh said that space is a cold place? Try the internet.

 

[KPmusmag]

Hmmmm... a post seems to have disappeared. How does that happen, exactly? Where is post 124? Gary and I weren't jousting at windmills.

 

[Race Bannon]

Hmmmm... a post seems to have disappeared. How does that happen, exactly? Where is post 124?

Barbra Streisand suppressed it, to make her posts stand out.[emoji1]

 

[john a hunter]

Streisand prevented it from existing? How could a WOMAN do that? I guess William Wyler was a pretty pussy then, wasn't' he? Apparently he couldn't stand up to the WOMAN named Streisand..

From what I have read the problem was not Streisand but the producer Ray Stark who actually had the nerve to tell Wyler how to direct.
He also reedited the film after Wyler's first cut to what he wanted overriding one of the great directors of all times.

 

[KPmusmag]

From what I have read the problem was not Streisand but the producer Ray Stark who actually had the nerve to tell Wyler how to direct.
He also reedited the film after Wyler's first cut to what he wanted overriding one of the great directors of all times.

Whatever. That happened nearly 50 years ago, I simply made a post reporting that the film is being shown on a big screen in a few weeks and then there was a post criticizing Streisand that has now disappeared. Where did that post go and why? IMO it is not a perfect movie but some might like to know i is being shown on a legitimate screen.

 

[Robin9]

Whatever. That happened nearly 50 years ago, I simply made a post reporting that the film is being shown on a big screen in a few weeks and then there was a post criticizing Streisand that has now disappeared. Where did that post go and why? IMO it is not a perfect movie but some might like to know i is being shown on a legitimate screen.

I can still the post. What I can't see is why you have over-reacted with such hysteria. A poster expressed an opinion. You don't like his opinion. So? Why the drama?

 

[haineshisway]

I can see the post as well.

 

[MatthewA]

From what I have read the problem was not Streisand but the producer Ray Stark who actually had the nerve to tell Wyler how to direct.
He also reedited the film after Wyler's first cut to what he wanted overriding one of the great directors of all times.

In all fairness to both of them, it was Stark who was actually related to Fanny Brice by marriage and produced the original Broadway show.

 

[bryan4999]

For those in the Los Angeles area, Funny Girl and Funny Lady will be showing at The Egyptian Theater (where FG premiered in 1968) on Sun., July 10.

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/funny-girl-funny-lady

FWIW, I appreciate that you posted the info about the screening. I wouldn't have known about it. So thanks for that. I have never seen Funny Lady on the big screen so I am looking forward to it - and it has been a long time since I have seen FG on the big screen. The Egyptian is a nice venue.

 

[KPmusmag]

I can still the post. What I can't see is why you have over-reacted with such hysteria. A poster expressed an opinion. You don't like his opinion. So? Why the drama?

For anyone I annoyed with my "hysteria", I do apologize. An odd sequence of events, combined with a very hot day and a severe case of bronchitis seems to have pushed my buttons in the wrong way.

While spending any more time on what is barely a tempest in a tiny teacup hardly seems necessary, my experience was this: I received word from a friend that FG and FL are going to be shown at The Egyptian, which will surely be a quality presentation. Since I had not heard about it, I thought others here who like those films might not know either, so I shared the info here. Later, a post appeared that was critical of the film and people affiliated with it. Frankly, I found the wording of the post unnecessarily sarcastic, inflammatory and disingenuous, and I responded, as did another individual. But then, oddly, a few minutes later, that post disappeared. I can see it today, but I could not last night, and I have a screen capture below that shows the posts skip from 123 to 125. In the light of day, this is likely just some weird computer glitch, but at the time, it seemed somehow deliberate; for what purpose, I can't say, but, again, it pushed the wrong buttons in me.

Again, FWIW, my apologies.

And to bryan4999 - thank you for your post. I hope you enjoy the experience of seeing these movies at The Egyptian - that is all I wanted in the first place.

 

[john a hunter]

In all fairness to both of them, it was Stark who was actually related to Fanny Brice by marriage and produced the original Broadway show.

....and had no qualifications to direct a film!

 

[MatthewA]

The movie that eventually got released still was pretty long as it is, but I wonder whether any of those scenes have survived. Was this the stage at which Anne Francis' role was reduced?

 

[Malcolm Bmoor]

I had no idea that my comment would initiate such a strong reaction. I'll merely add that anyone who is surprised to hear of Barbra Streisand's Most High & Mighty Ways has led a sheltered and naive life.

Yes, I like the film and have the Blu-ray but don't find her endearing as a person.

The William Wyler quote has been widely reported and whether you believe it or not it's a fact.

I didn't know that Ann Francis had un-complained so maybe that situation was wrongly reported.

Try this: Barbra Steisand watched part of a Funny Girl (theatre) runthrough with her understudy before going on holiday, then decided the replacement was too good to allow on so cancelled her holiday.

On this forum there is a vast specialised technical knowledge of films, prints and experience of exhibition but I notice a reluctance to engage in the actual productions, probably because it's a different area of knowledge that leads to a certain objective skepticism.

Whilst it's true that the vast majority of people involved in the various areas of entertainment are thoroughly pleasant, professional and a pleasure to deal with it is indisputedly true that there are a few monster egos out there and if you don't wish to accept this fact it's your choice but you need to understand that the films can be heavily influenced by the self centered obsessions of these few people - depending upon the power they are able to wield.

Yes, I realize that I shouldn't mention things like this as it makes too many people here uncomfortable so I'll not do it again.

I saw the dye-transfer restoration of FUNNY GIRL some years back at the London Film Festival at the recently demolished Leicester Square Theatre (Odeon motto: Fanatical About Film) and couldn't imagine it being bettered technically but the Blu-ray is even more stunning.

 

[Robert Harris]

As I recall, a longer / different cut of Swan Lake survives.

And as someone who appreciates words, I've always had a special place for "whilst," even though here in the Colonies we're not licensed to use it.

 

[Rob W]

As I recall, a longer / different cut of Swan Lake survives.

And as someone who appreciates words, I've always had a special place for "whilst," even though here in the Colonies we're not licensed to use it.

My understanding is that a shorter cut of Swan Lake was originally in the 70mm roadshow prints, intercut with scenes of Nicky Arnstein at the gambling tables, looking none too successful. I saw this version once in a 70mm print many years after release as part of a 70mm festival. Reportedly, critics complained that the interruptions hurt the number and it was lengthened for the general release version, with most of the Arnstein shots removed. You can still see a couple of instances in the reinstated sequences with a frame missing where the added footage was reinstated.