Hello, Dolly! (1969)

Hello, Dolly!: Directed by Gene Kelly. With Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford, Marianne McAndrew. Matchmaker Dolly Levi travels to Yonkers to find a partner for “half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder, convincing his niece, his niece’s intended, and his two clerks to travel to New York City along the way.

“Rip-snorting musical from 20th Century-Fox, turning its backlot into New York City, circa 1890 while telling the tale of widow Dolly Levi, an indefatigable meddler and matchmaker who hopes to deliver herself into the arms of an eligible storekeeper from Yonkers. Producer Ernest Lehman adapted his screenplay from the popular stage musical with a book by Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilderu0026#39;s u0026quot;The Matchmakeru0026quot; (itself filmed without music in 1958). Director Gene Kelly attempts a breathless pace right from the start, which leaves the early scenes feeling rushed and hyperactive. Professional critics in late 1969, perhaps put off by the unimaginable-for-its-time $25 million budget, complained that the picture was overblown; however, in hindsight, this is inconsequential, as the scenario begs for a huge presentation…and a huge star in the lead. Barbra Streisand (deemed too young to be portraying a widow) is a marvelous Dolly: a firebrand (and a firecracker) who knows nothing of subtlety, she goes for the gut, as the role requires. As her reluctant intended, Walter Matthau looks unhappy and seems stuffy, but repeat viewings reveal this to be the character and not necessarily Matthauu0026#39;s disposition at the time (he and Streisand failed to get along while filming). The song numbers, particularly u0026quot;Just Leave Everything To Meu0026quot;, u0026quot;Before The Parade Passes Byu0026quot; and the celebrated title tune, are joyous, and Michael Kiddu0026#39;s line-u0026#39;em-up choreography is often stunning in widescreen. The film does run too long, and it loses some vitality whenever Streisand is busy and the pixilated juveniles take over, but Kelly is determined to give his audience a showcase–a slam-bang, old-fashioned musical parade with pearls and feathers and floor-length gowns. At that, he succeeded. *** from ****”