This mega-expensive film adaptation of the enormously popular Broadway musical never quite became the mammoth blockbuster that 20th Century Fox obviously intended it to be. Although HELLO DOLLY was generally popular with audiences and even became the fifth-highest grossing film of 1969, it was still unable to recover it's tremendous budget (over $25 million in 1969, more than $140 million when adjusted for inflation), and it is unfortunately viewed as a flop by the majority of the public. Elaborate and old-fashioned, DOLLY must have appeared terribly outdated to the EASY RIDER generation at the time of it's premier, and film has never been able to complete shake it's archaic reputation ever since. Contrary to such criticism, when removed from the high expectations that surrounded it at the time of it's release, HELLO DOLLY is actually thoroughly enjoyable musical comedy, featuring strong performances from it's cast and some truly stunning production numbers.
Of course, many people criticize the casting of the then-27-year-old Barbra Streisand as the widowed Dolly Levi, but Streisand amazingly manages to overcome such physical miscasting with the sheer force or her tremendously engaging performance. Streisand literally ignites the screen with her raid-fire wit and unsentimental vulnerability, delivering a multi-layered portrayal of the fabled matchmaker. As usual, Streisand is in phenomenal voice, belting out Jerry Herman's score as no one else ever could. She also looks quite ravishing in Irene Sharaff's sumptuous costumes, managing to appear quite sexy in addition to being funny, feisty, and touching.
Walter Mathau is great romantic foil; he and Streisand develop a combative comedic chemistry that rivals even the best of the classic 1940's screwball comedies. The incredibly young Michael Crawford and Danny Loklin, both already accomplished stage actors, are thoroughly likable and create a memorable "Laurel and Hardy"-like comedy pairing - it's a shame they never appeared together in film again. The appropriately prim Melanie McAndrew makes a very sweet and pretty ingénue, but it is sort of jarring that her "young woman" actually looks older and more matronly than Streisand's supposedly middle-aged Dolly Legendary actor/dancer Gene Kelly manages to keep the various story threads running smoothly, and the picture's momentum builds nicely as the various plot elements reach a simultaneous climax at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant. Michael Kidd's trademark choreography is typically complex and challenging, and the entire cast appears to be giving their all in each and every number. Herman's score is neither complex or challenging, but his songs contain both strong hooks and instantly memorable melodies, with Streisand's incomparable renditions of "Before the Parade Passes By," "So Long, Dearie," and the immortal title song remaining some of the most astonishing moments in musical movie history. Although unfairly savaged upon it's original release, HELLO DOLLY is truly delightful film that seems to only improve with age.
Of course, many people criticize the casting of the then-27-year-old Barbra Streisand as the widowed Dolly Levi, but Streisand amazingly manages to overcome such physical miscasting with the sheer force or her tremendously engaging performance. Streisand literally ignites the screen with her raid-fire wit and unsentimental vulnerability, delivering a multi-layered portrayal of the fabled matchmaker. As usual, Streisand is in phenomenal voice, belting out Jerry Herman's score as no one else ever could. She also looks quite ravishing in Irene Sharaff's sumptuous costumes, managing to appear quite sexy in addition to being funny, feisty, and touching.
Walter Mathau is great romantic foil; he and Streisand develop a combative comedic chemistry that rivals even the best of the classic 1940's screwball comedies. The incredibly young Michael Crawford and Danny Loklin, both already accomplished stage actors, are thoroughly likable and create a memorable "Laurel and Hardy"-like comedy pairing - it's a shame they never appeared together in film again. The appropriately prim Melanie McAndrew makes a very sweet and pretty ingénue, but it is sort of jarring that her "young woman" actually looks older and more matronly than Streisand's supposedly middle-aged Dolly Legendary actor/dancer Gene Kelly manages to keep the various story threads running smoothly, and the picture's momentum builds nicely as the various plot elements reach a simultaneous climax at the Harmonia Gardens restaurant. Michael Kidd's trademark choreography is typically complex and challenging, and the entire cast appears to be giving their all in each and every number. Herman's score is neither complex or challenging, but his songs contain both strong hooks and instantly memorable melodies, with Streisand's incomparable renditions of "Before the Parade Passes By," "So Long, Dearie," and the immortal title song remaining some of the most astonishing moments in musical movie history. Although unfairly savaged upon it's original release, HELLO DOLLY is truly delightful film that seems to only improve with age.