Funny Lady (1975)

"...fine moments of music and comedy...  Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
"...just as good, or almost, as the original.  VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever

Editor's Note Barbra Streisand returns as Fanny Brice in this sequel to William Wyler's Oscar-winning FUNNY GIRL. FUNNY LADY picks up the saga of entertainer-comedienne Brice after her separation from playboy millionaire Nick Arnstein (Omar Sharif). Newly single, she teams up brash Broadway producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Billy Rose (James Caan), a showman whose lack of polish is made up in his boundless enthusiasm. Before long, Rose's professional relationship with Fanny turns into a touching and turbulent personal one. Wyler's extravagant production is highlighted by lavish musical numbers, elegant costumes and a dynamic cast, which is lead by Barbra Streisand's signature style and poise.

	Barbra Streisand
	Ben Vereen
	Carole Wells
	Colleen Camp
	James Caan
	Larry Gates
	Omar Sharif
	Roddy McDowall
	Ray Aghayan - Costume Designer
	Bob Mackie - Costume Designer
	Herbert Ross - Director
	James Wong Howe - Director of Photography
	Marion Rothman - Film Editor
	Maury Winetrobe - Film Editor
	John Kander & Peter Matz - Musical Score
	Ray Stark - Producer
	George Jenkins - Production Designer
	Jay Presson Allen - Screenplay
	Arnold Schulman - Screenplay
	Arnold Schulman - Story By

Barbra Streisand returns as Fanny Brice in this sequel to the award-winning musical FUNNY GIRL. In depression-era New York, the hugely successful entertainer's long-running show is closing and her marriage with playboy Nick Arnstein (Omar Sharif) is over. Fanny finds herself out of work and looking for material when she meets Billy Rose (James Caan), a hustling nightclub owner and songwriter who is eager to work with the talented star. Billy and Fanny begin a working relationship that leads to the development of a new Broadway show with outlandish and ominous beginnings. With the advice of the experienced Fanny, Billy revamps the show, and it becomes an instant success. Their working relationship quickly becomes a loving relationship as Billy falls for the free-spirited star and Fanny falls for a compatible friend. Billy and Fanny marry and continue to work together on a series of smash hits, but as time goes on the pair spends less and less time together, too busy working to realize that the marriage is falling apart. For Fanny their union is based on friendship--she cannot truly love Billy until she realizes that her passion for Nick is over, and by then it might be too late to rescue her marriage. New York Times
"...As long as [Streisand] is singing the blues, or singing anything else, FUNNY LADY is superb entertainment..." 03/12/1975 p.30

The Motion Picture Guide 7 of 10
Sequels are seldom as good as the original, but this one comes close... there was enough music in the movie to satisfy anyone...