Barbra Streisand - 1964 - Funny Girl Opening Night 03-26-64

[deadmanswife2]

you can't walk to new york from michigan especially if you're only 14 years old

[deadmanswife2]

Yeah whatever bipolar like mother earth

And the rest of us

Love hate ying ya..

[nathaninlondon]

Barbra's accent was really strong then-'noivous'!

[brizpeg47]

This was the 60s, era of the "dolly girl", chocolate box prettiness, etc. I was barely 16, but transfixed by her sheer star quality, and unique beauty. I am so proud that I recognized her brilliance before it became universally recognized....

[brizpeg47]

I had only discovered Barbra a few months before this, when she was unheard of in my home country, Australia....I saw her sing on "The Red Skelton Show", when she was appearing in "I Can Get It For You Wholesale"...I scoured the record shops to find something of or by her..., finally finding "My Name Is Barbra"....I suffered ridicule and amazement by people who heard my treasure. She was an unknown, her voice was unique and totally different to any other "star" of the time.

[CMHism]

Julie Andrews was there as well as Sophie Loren, Frank Sinatra, and Ethel Merman just to name a few. Betty Davis was there as well as Debbie Reynolds.

[CMHism]

Julie Andrews was there as well as Sophie Loren, Frank Sinatra, and Ethel Merman just to name a few.

[tapking40]

she is only 21 and has the insight of a 50 year old. She is amazing. They are trying to do a revival on Broadway right now. They can't find anyone with the skills to play the part. This is why she is the greatest star that ever lived. She was the toast of New York at 21. Now that's a star. I love how confident she is and her intelligence is astounding. Get her new album on August 23,2011. Amazing over 50 years in the business and still at the top of her game.

[popazz1]

Sorry to be gruff,but WHO gives a shit WHO'S gay and who aint?! This is about the fantastic Miss Streisand,NOT where someone wishes to stick their knob!

[mrspatrickcampbell]

Now we understand why nelly sister ray stark married fanny's daughter: career advancement!!!

[mrspatrickcampbell]

We see that Ray Stark was a nelly homosexual - who could know!

[gabsylv]

@mrspatrickcampbell We don't need to hear that from Mrs. Patrick Campbell, who'll die unknown, in regard to Ray Stark, a "nelly homo", who has made cultural history. Yah, we ALL know!!!!

[Wotan123456789]

I am really surprised for how mature she sounds at a relative early age!

[petulia68]

Thank you for posting this. The immediacy of the interviews really puts you back in time. I was struck by everyones honesty and got a glimpse of where Streisand's chutzpah comes from- her mother!

[TruthSerum101]

She was very introspective for her age.

[marktopp]

Has there been a role or a performance that has such an impact and created such a huge superstar since this?

[menashadude]

I agree, Imagine, the glittering, Lauren Bacall commenting-at nearly the beginning of Barbra's career and endorsing her propulsion. Then, decades later ,being directed in one of Barbra's films. I was born in 1968, but have been a devouring fan since 1975 or so. I used to listen to "Second hand rose" over and over in '75 and was mesmerised in a theater in '76 at "A star is born" To watch all of this and follow it has been a joy. Lucky us to have been here long enough to experience You Tube.

[Rouben19]

I saw the Film when it came out- and thought She was the most Stunning Lady I had ever seen in a Film I only wish the rest of her film career had lived up to the Amazing Start...

[menashadude]

@Rouben19 Firt love is always the most disappointing.

[Inmypumps]

OMG!!! This is FABULOUS!!! THANK YOU for posting!! I am in awe...ahhhhh...SUCH a fan!!! LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!

[monimuller1]

Priceless - much like Barbra herself.

And I agree with SOX575 - this is what makes YouTube so very important.

[Sox575]

Thanks Westendbaby for putting this up!

These gems are what make YouTube such a great site.

[bendmymind]

definitely a youtube vid worth watching. THANK you!

[gabsylv]

I love Barb's class angst. You can tell she has a love and hate relationship with success...

[wanttobediva]

This is so amazing to have found. Thank you for uploading. I recently fell head over heels in love with this musical so its great to see stuff from the actual show and not just the movie

[Hunterunc]

This is show business history. Thanks a million for posting it. And yes, I agree with the comment about Marilyn Monroe. America needed another goddess--one that would go the distance, but was just as charismatic in her own way, and Barbra came along. The show business gods were really pulling strings for the Streisand career--and they still do all these years later.

[PaoloNYC]

This is so wonderful. Thank you so much for posting. It is great to see such beautiful photos of Barbra's parents and to hear her mother Diana. Her mother's brother, Ira Rosen, was the Dean of my Junior High School. I have loved Barbra since then. I feel very connected to her and her family. It is so amazing that Barbra had such insight at such a young age. I adore her. She brings the world so much joy!

[AdArmand]

After Marilyn Monroe's death, the American public were starving for another extraordinary, otherwordly superstar. This seems to have been the night that Barbra Stresiand succeded Monroe as the goddess of the cultural epoch.

I love Lauren Bacall's comments! Such an authentic, wonderful voice.

[AdArmand]

At 5:53, is that Bette Davis on the left?

[westendbaby]

Yes, I think it is..

: )

[APatronOfTheArts]

@AdArmand YES, it is!!! And at 1:12-1:15, that is Jean Stapleton

[BaggyJeansBoy]

This has got to be the best 8 minutes I've watched on YouTube in a long time.

[babsfan71]

Oh yeah..!

[GinaMarie1982]

THIS IS WONDERFUL! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I even teared up a little....thank you for sharing that magic of Streisand with all of us fans :)

[rbocanegra62]

Thank you for posting, it's very moving. BJS is incredibly grounded, hard working and realistic . I love how Jules Styne speaks of her great taste...absolutely!

[taubangkok]

Ten thousand thank yous for sharing this unique material with me. I would have swum the Atlantic from Holland to see my Barbra on stage in Funny Girl, however, in march 1964 I wasn't yet conceived. At the age of 17 I realized that Barbra and I have similar hands. Same ridiculously long fingers and I spend 30 minutes a day to get the nail-thing right. In no other way do I look or sound like her. Just the hands, but I wish I had her vocal cords.

[nealbrice]

WOW....I just found this...Thank you!! To hear and see it like you are there, WOW. and to hear MAMA Streisand, WOW... WOW,  WOW>

I am almost woth out words. I loved seeing Strei with Lauren Bacall. All those years later Strei would direct Bacall in her only Oscar nominated role. WOW... Great, Thankyou so much.

[spander30]

My all time favorite!!!!!!! I saw it on the big screen for the 1st time in 69....or 70...I cried....was on a date ....so embarrased...cried every time....I am 57 yr. old and I still know every word...my husband loves it...my 1st date to see Funny Girl

Biggest regret....never saw her do it on Broadway....If I had known what I know now...I would have walked to NYC from Michigan!!! Love Ya ....Barbra..

Sandy from Michigan

[westendbaby]

Thank you, Sandy, for sharing your lovely memories.. well, at least you got to see it on the big screen..

; )

[whitola]

Hi Sandy from MI. You shd have looked me up.

I'm a bit older, but from MI and I would have

walked with you. And believe me--I could have

used the exercise!! Did you get to see her in

94 when she came to Auburn Hills? I hope so!!

[Whitepussyass]

Wasn't opening night March 26, 1964, not March 28th?

[westendbaby]

omg, you are so right..

(Sorry- these are the video details that I've been given with the video.. I should have checked it.. someone probably made a mistake before I got it..)

:)

[luvnovelas08]

WOW! This is very special, Streisand is very candid here. Thanks for posting this one of a kind glimpse into her career.

[sisalrug]

I really loved the interview with Barbra, before and after the show. She obviously has a brilliant mind, and depth unusual for anyone. It makes me feel bad for the times when I haven't always liked her. When she is allowed to be herself she is beautifully candid and unpretentious and more intelligent than most. I agree about the mother taking credit, but at least the mother mentioned the father in such glowing terms. thankyou for posting this.

[gabsylv]

Well, I guess if her talent stemmed from anyone (thing), it would be her mother, who sang (and probably acted) I found her mother's comments to be candid and not at all offensive.

[punisher21200]

Funny Girl led to bigger and better things for Barbra.

[hialeah47]

AMAZING!! Never knew this existed, for sure! Funny how she really doesn't express much excitement or happiness. Hope she celebrated in private, at least.

[barbras7]

I just hate the way her mother always took credit for her success etc., so unfortunate and sad.

[AdArmand]

Her mother had a wonderful voice, too.

[barbras7]

Perhaps, but I just find it sad that she couldn't just let Barbra have the attention...she had to undercut her, take credit etc. It would have been nice if she'd been able to just say something nice about her, be supportive, etc. It's obvious in other Streisand interviews that Barbra was very hurt by her mothers words etc.

[barbras7]

Wow, this is so great!! What it must have been like to be Barbra Streisand in 1964....Thank you so much for posting this!