Review of Hello, Dolly! (1969) by Jean S — 12 Jul 2007

I have loved this movie ever since I was a little girl. I still harbour a burning desire to play the part of Mrs Dolly Levi on the stage one day, belting out those fantastic songs "Before the Parade Passes By" and "So Long".

Some say that Barbara Streisand was too young to play this part ~ I don't think so. I think the young widow element of it makes it all the more interesting, and she's such an active character, it's hard to imagine an older woman really playing the part.

This is directed by Gene Kelly (oh how I love Gene Kelly - RIP you wonderful man) and apparently, when casting the part that Michael Crawford played, Gene said to Michael "I need an attractive idiot - now my wife thinks you're attractive, and I think you're an idiot" ~ haha, classic!