MovieChat Forums > Hello, Dolly! (1969) Discussion > Hooray, Dolly!

Hooray, Dolly!

posted 9 years ago by taptoe
4 replies | jump to latest

I just about disagree with everything that has been said about this amazing musical, so I expect more of the same in return - not that I'll pay any attention to it. I watched it again quite recently on Fox Classics and the two knockout numbers, Before the Parade Passes By and the title song, still send chills up my spine. Who cares that Streisand is "too young" for Dolly? I don't - not when she delivers such an amazing comedic performance. And, of course, those songs could not have been sung any better. Walter Matthau is the perfect curmudgeon and for those that bitch that he and Barbra had "no chemistry", well, they weren't supposed to have chemistry. For most of the movie, the grumpy shopkeeper wanted nothing to do with her; Dolly had to badger him into it, in the end.I loved the energy and the performances of Michael Crawford and Danny Lockin. What a tragic loss was Lockin. One of the finest young dancers I've ever seen. Perhaps it was one song too long, but that's a mere quibble. I love a Hollywood musical, true, but this is one of the few I can see time and time again.

[–] mikwalen 9 years ago

Yay!!! I love this movie too, and Streisand was superb :)

[–] Washingtonnative (2613) 5 years ago

A fun filled movie this one is!!!

[–] lavignebiz1 9 years ago

Thank you! I thought I was the only one who loves this movie! I saw it at the Strand Theater on 26 December 1969. I totally loved it then and totally love it now. Yes, Streisand is too young for the role and it's so evident that she and Walter Matthau hated one another, however:

It cost $26 million dollars and the money is on the screen. Thank you Irene Sharaff for those glorious, authentic clothes and Michael Kidd for that dazzling choreography. It lost money for the studio, because they hadn't finished paying off Cleopatra and Doctor Doolittle and Star had bombed, too. The following year, however, MASH was released and saved 20th Century Fox.

Fast Forward to 1986: A Chorus Line. $26 million for a show that has no scenery, no costumes and no stars? Why did it cost $26 million? Furthermore, it's a ghastly movie. Same year, Little Shop of Horrors, $26 million. and once again, the money is on the screen and it's a complete delight.

Every time I watch Dolly, though, I see new things in it and it always puts me into a good mood.

Once again, thank you for your post!

[–] mikwalen 8 years ago

I never had an issue with Streisand as Dolly. She looked about 35, with her costuming and makeup. Considering that they married at 18 or so in those days, she could have married at 18 and been widowed at 28 or so