Funny Lady **** (1975, Barbra Streisand, James Caan, Omar Sharif) – Classic Movie Review 2271

Director Herbert Ross’s entertaining but less enjoyable 1975 sequel to Funny Girl has with the inestimable benefit of Barbra Streisand still enjoying herself as singer Fanny Brice, who this time marries the showman Billy Rose (James Caan) and a stormy relationship ensues. Omar Sharif also returns as Nicky Arnstein, the first husband whom Fanny has now divorced.

It’s the 1930s in New York and because of the Depression she has trouble finding singing work but meets newcomer Billy Rose, who writes lyrics and owns his own nightclub. Roddy McDowall is Bobby Moore, Ben Vereen is Bert Robbins and Bert Robbins is Norma Butler.

There is also the supreme asset of a bright and breezy Fred Ebb and John Kander score (particularly ‘Just How Lucky Can You Get’ and ‘Let’s Hear It For Me’) tailor made for Barbra when her voice was at its peak. Streisand also gets her able tonsils round a series of 30s standards like ‘So Long Honey Lamb’ and ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon’.

Arnold Schulman and Jay Presson Allen’s screenplay is packed full of showbiz clichés prettily polished up for the musical-starved 1970s with the one singing star who could still make a show a hit in the movies. The script, based on a story by Schulman, is chocka with low comedy and high cynicism, but happily reality doesn’t intrude at all. Ray Stark provides a slick, costly looking production.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2271

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