Hello Dolly! – 1969
Hello Dolly, while highly entertaining, was a ridiculous film. The plot had the potential to be good, but fell short. The ending was horribly written, the music was somewhat passable, most of the dancing was completely unnecessary, and the acting was, in some cases, beyond horrible. And I’m sorry to say that I suspect that many of its failings were the fault of the director, Gene Kelly.
Kelly was an incredible dancer. There no disputing that. But though the film’s choreographer was Michael Kidd, there was no mistaking Kelly’s personal trademarks on the dance moves. You can’t tell me that he had nothing to do with the film’s big dance numbers. Much of the dancing was nothing more than synchronized acrobatics that were ridiculously gratuitous. None of it did a single thing to advance the plot in any way. It was dancing for the sake of dancing.
And just to clarify: That unmistakable Gene Kelly stamp was nowhere more evident than in the dance number before the song Hello Dolly. The restaurant’s waiters danced with trays of food in their hands. Of course they would, because waiters carry trays so they would be the perfect prop. But they start doing acrobatic flips and spins that should have sent both the trays and the food they carried flying in every direction. But, of course, not a single morsel was spilled. Not a tray was dropped.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. I’ll reiterate that the film was very entertaining. The beautiful costumes and sets were wonderful. Everything was bright and cheery. The feeling was one of well-to-do, 1890s, New York perfection. Everyone was attractive, everything was pristine, and there was a smile on every face. It is hard not to respond to that.
But I had some serious problems with the script. I understand that the film was really a fantasy, and so it didn’t exactly have to be realistic. But then it should at least follow its own rules. To explain that, I have to go into the plot a little. Barbara Streisand played the part of Dolly Levi, a strong-willed matchmaker who has been hired to find a wife for Horace Vandegelder, a wealthy business owner in Yonkers, NY, played by Walter Matthau.
Horace is a grouchy old man who never has a kind word to say to anybody. He is a tyrannical boss to his two young employees, Cornelius Hackle and Barnaby Tucker, played by Michael Crawford and Danny Lockin. His niece, Ermengarde, played by Joyce Ames, is in love with Ambrose Kemper, played by Tommy Tune. Being the devious match-maker she is, Dolly decides that she wants Horace for herself. Why? Presumably because she is in love with him, though why anybody would love such a sour old curmudgeon without a single likable quality is beyond me.
Dolly not only arranges her own match to Horace, but finds matches for Cornelius and Barnaby free of charge. Irene Malloy and Minnie Fay, played by Marianne McAndrew and E. J. Peaker, turn out to be perfect matches for them. They are both available, and eager to fall in love at a moment’s notice. Dolly also arranges for Ermengarde and Ambrose to be together, despite Horace’s objections.
So right away, right from the very beginning, we know how the movie is going to end. But after an entire film of seeing how much of a mean old man Horace is, there is no explanation as to why he suddenly changes his tune at the last instant and professes his love for Dolly. Then, suddenly, he is Mr. Nice Guy, and there wasn’t a single indication in the entire film as to why his character would do this.
And finally I have to mention Michael Crawford’s terrible acting. He so completely over-acted his part that he was positively buffoonish. When faced with a pretty girl, he became a cartoon character, complete with ridiculous stuttering, clownish knuckle biting, and childish foot stomping. Really?? But again, I suspect that Gene Kelly had to have had something to do with this. He was, after all, the director.
How could this Movie have been better? What was wrong with the Music, Dancing, Directing, Acting and Writing? Even though Barbra Streisand was only in her late 20s at the time of Production, could she have had the chance to give a Good Performance of a Middle Aged Widow Matchmaker?
I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy watching the movie. I did. But entertaining and ridiculous are not mutually exclusive. Hello Dolly was both.
As a privilege to see this thoroughly entertaining musical movie as a child, Hats off to Mr Gene Kelly! The under-acknowledged work and talent has not gone unnoticed by many who watch it over and over. Barbra, You are Dolly! From a 7yr old in 1969… the movie inspired and still does. ?
I know you enjoyed watching it. That’s Not what my question was. My Question was “How Do You Think The Film Could Have Been Better? I mean could the Acting, Music, Dancing and Plot have been better?”.
OK, Luka, Here goes.
1. I’d tell Michael Crawford to stop acting like a cartoonish buffoon. Biting your fist and stomping your foot at the sight of a pretty girl should only be seen in a Tex Avery cartoon.
2. I’d tell the choreographer to cut out the acrobatics, and put in more actual dancing. They were in a fancy restaurant with a gigantic dance floor. Let there be dancing instead of gymnastics.
3. I’d write some scenes into the script that would give Mr. Vandegelder a softer personality. Then it would make more sense when she fell in love with him, unless her character was just a gold-digger, and I don’t think that was the case. I’d also give Vandegelder a reason to fall in love with and marry Dolly. Throughout the entire film, he expressed nothing but irritation with her. It made no sense that he would suddenly have a complete change of heart and marry her, and for no apparent reason.
4. I’m sorry to say this one, but either Streisand was too young or Matthau was too old. At the time of filming, Streisand was about 26 or so, Matthau was nearly 50. I personally think the film would have been better if Dolly was maybe in her late 30s or early 40s.
5. The music… was just fine. I have no problem with the music.