I remember way back when: Omar kissing Babs was a HUGE deal!
The Arab-Israeli War had just broken out - and there were these two kissing ONSCREEN!
There were protests reported on by Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News!
I doubt anyone remembers that - so I just HAD to bring it up!
"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"
When the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt broke out (June 5–10, 1967), studio executives considered replacing Sharif, but both the director William Wyler and Streisand threatened to quit if they did. Later, the publication of a still depicting a love scene between Fanny and Nicky in the Egyptian press prompted a movement to revoke Sharif's citizenship. When asked about the controversy, Streisand replied, "You think the Egyptians are angry? You should see the letter I got from my Aunt Rose!"
shareIf this movie was made at a later date--1979 or after--there wouldn't be such a fuss, for that was the year when Egypt and Israel signed formal treaties ending their state of war.
I'll never forget it.
It was during the Emmy Awards program, and that show was stopped cold, not just pre-empted, to broadcast Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat signing the treaties and then embracing each other as President Jimmy Carter looked on.
When the Emmy program resumed, host Alan Alda was in tears, and later, Linda Lavin made a complementary remark.
It was a great night in world history.