Released seven years after Funny Girl made Barbra Streisand an Oscar winning movie star, Funny Lady had an uneasy production history. Though contractually obligated to do another movie for producer Ray Stark, Streisand balked at doing the film, reportedly telling him, “It would take litigation to make her do a sequel.” As it turned out, she liked the fact that script that portrayed Fanny Brice as a tougher, more mature woman, and she agreed to do the film.

A highly fictionalized account of the life of Fanny Brice, as Funny Lady begins Fanny is a seasoned performer known throughout the world. Now divorced from Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif, reprising his Funny Girl role in what is essentially a “special guest star” role), the stock market crash of 1929 has her anxious for a new show. Enter up-and-coming song writer/producer Billy Rose (James Caan). He provides the jolt Fanny’s career needs, and eventually they fall in like with each other even as she continues to pine for Nicky, who has remarried. Fanny and Billy’s subsequent marriage is one of convenience more than passion.

While Funny Girl provided viewers with the feel good story of watching a girl from the wrong side of the tracks make good in the brutal world of show business, Funny Lady offers up a less interesting Brice, who while professionally successful, has a rocky personal life. Streisand’s reluctance to reprise the role is well documented, and it shows in her performance. She sings the songs as well as you might expect—she belts out the Academy Award nominated “How Lucky Can You Get?” in a particularly memorable sequence—but she lacks the spark and frivolity she displayed throughout Funny Girl.

Though Streisand praised the script by Jay Presson Allen (born Jacqueline Presson) and Arnold Schulman, it’s rather uneven. While Fanny Brice is given some smart one-liners and the basic storyline works well enough, the over-the-top machismo of Billy Rose drags the film down and makes it feel dated (Even though the film is set in the late ‘20s and ‘30s). The film also has a rather odd ending, flashing forward two plus decades with little in between. Reportedly, the screenwriters had written sequences involving Fanny and her daughter, but they were victims of the editing process. Funny Lady still ended up with a running time of 136 minutes, which feels a bit long, especially considering the scattershot ending.

Despite all of those criticisms, Funny Lady still manages to showcase the talents of both Fanny Brice and Barbra Streisand. Director Herbert Ross choreographed some of the huge production numbers with a lot of flair. Unfortunately, the film drags a bit when Fanny leaves the stage.

Presented in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio, Twilight Time has provided another solid 1080p transfer. While a few shots show minimal wear, for the most part, the print quality is good. Colors are strong throughout, detail and clarity are strong. Impressive stuff here.

The lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio presentation allows for strong dialogue reproduction, and clean music clarity and detail. Musical sequences are largely placed throughout the side and rear channels, while obviously prioritizing Streisand’s voice. Sound effects are well presented; used to fine advantage. Fidelity is excellent and there are no audio issues to report.

English SDH subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • In Search of a Star (HD, 8:56) A vintage featurette that looks at Streisand’s role in the production, and the casting of James Caan.
  • The New Look of Barbra in Funny Lady (HD, 4:86) A vintage featurette that looks at the production and costume design.
  • Dancing on the Water (SD, 2:55) A brief behind-the-scenes featurette about the filming of one of the big production numbers in the film.
  • Original Domestic Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:25)
  • Original International Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:24)
  • Six-Page Booklet: Production stills and film historian Julie Kirgo’s expert analysis of the film.

 

There are only 3,000 copies of this Blu-ray available. Those interested should go to www.screenarchives.com to see if product is still in stock. Information about the movie can also be found via Facebook at www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies.