She's back. And the hair, nails, the glamorous costumes, and the nose are all still intact from Barbra Streisand's last appearance in my Year, Funny Girl. The film version of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever was released in 1970, about five years after the Broadway version opened. I'm going to need to find the album of the orginal cast, because all but the songs for Daisy and Marc are excised from the film. Marc was played on Broadway by baritone favorite John Cullum--all the more reason to listen to the cast album.
The time-shifting elements of the story work really well on film. How did they worked on stage? The supporting cast, including Jack Nicholson and Bob Newhart are grossly underutilized in the film.
I had heard the title song before, as well as the opening "Hurry, It's Nice Up Here" and "Come Back To Me". I liked the other songs, as well, although I missed hearing characters sing together, which they seem to have done in the stage version.
This film reminded me of two other Broadway shows: Lady in the Dark and My Fair Lady. The psychological aspects of the show are like the Weill, and the mentor/student relationship of the two leads are like the Lerner and Loewe.
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Music by Burton Lane
Lyrics and Book by Alan Jay Lerner
film directed by Vincente Minnelli
Cast: Barbra Streisand, Yves Montand, Jack Nicholson, Bob Newhart
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