I just tried to watch this on TCM. I first have to say that, adhering to stereotypes, as a gay man, I worship Barbra (and will continue to do so until Conservatives legislate that right away from!). I remember loving this movie; I found it mostly unwatchable now. First of all, there is more orange in this movie than in Florida. There is more fuchsia than there needs to be anywhere. And most of the production numbers are horribly staged and arranged. "Clap Hands" is garish and racist. Am I the only person who noticed that Ben Vereen is wearing a costume based on watermelon? It's watermelon pink and green, and his shirt has what looks suspiciously like watermelon seeds on the front. "Great Fay" may be a great song, but you'd never know it from here. What this movie has going for it are, of course, Barbra Streisand, James Caan (why was anyone surprised how well he could sing when he made "For The Boys"? He sings quite well and would be great in "Chicago" on Broadway), and Kander and Ebb. Barbra has a long history with them; they wrote some of the songs on her first albums, and they wrote great songs for her here. "How Lucky Can You Get" is not only a great character song, but a great song, period. On a more humorous, historical note, I have to say that back in the day when I did drag, I copied 2 of the costumes from this movie. The dress she wears with the huge feather collar? I wore a boa like that several times (boy, do feathers itch). I made a nearly identical version of the black satin number she wears for "How Lucky". I always identified with her. I've always had a self-deprecating sense of humor (as many Jewish performers do). I was never what you'd call a conventional beauty. When I did drag, I was gorgeous from the neck down; from the neck up, not so much. :-)
Review of Funny Lady
