Barbra Streisand - The Television Specials
by Dwight Hemion, Joe Layton, Robert Scheerer, Roland Vance, Walter C. Miller
Our Price: $59.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $31.46 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Barbra Streisand, Jason Robards, Lee Allen, Martin Erlichman, Ray CharlesDirector: Dwight Hemion, Joe Layton, Robert Scheerer, Roland Vance, Walter C. Miller
Brand: WEA DES Moines Video
Producer: Anu Krishnan
Writer: Robert Emmet
Writer: Robert Emmett
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 1.0; German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Black & White, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Original recording remastered
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 278 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-11-22
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Rhino Records
DVD Reviews of Barbra Streisand - The Television Specials
DVD Review: Streisand's first five television specials on DVD at last, and it was worth the wait
Summary: 5 Stars
The first five of Barbra Streisand's highly-acclaimed television specials have finally made their long-awaited release on DVD from Warner Home Video. I've reviewed each special individually, and concluded with some technical comments about the DVDs themselves.
1. MY NAME IS BARBRA (1965) ***** (5 out of 5) Barbra Streisand's debut television special is still a pinnacle moment in entertainment history - in any media. Cleverly divided into three separate acts (to minimize the interruption of commercial breaks), Streisand made the bold-yet-masterful decision to drop the typical variety show format of the time (which is why there is no guest stars nor forced banter) and carry the entire show on her shoulders alone. The risky move paid off enormously, as MY NAME IS BARBRA set a new standard for musical programming on television.
Filmed in glorious black-and-white (which actually adds to the effectiveness of the show), MY NAME IS BARBRA is flawlessly-conceived and impressively shot. However, what makes the show truly transcendent is Streisand herself. Watching the then-23 year old performer navigate herself through the show's 55 minute runtime is nothing less than thrilling. She is in fantastic voice (and even performs the entire first and third acts live), and gives first evidence of the immense star power that would soon follow her to the big screen.
The special's biggest asset is it's boldness in allowing Streisand to simply stand on stage and sing some great songs. After the powerful opening performance of "Much More" (with a brief opening snippet from Leonard Bernstein's "My Name Is Barbara"), Barbra proceeds to wander through a multi-level studio set performing a frantic version of the Disney classic "I'm Late." In between verses of "I'm Late," Streisand stops at various levels of the set to sing some terrific numbers such as the haunting "Make Believe" and the thundering "How Does the Wine Taste?"
Halfway through the Act I, Barbra re-enters her own childhood to the strains of "A Kid Again," and then gives highly energetic performances of "I'm Five" and "Sweet Zoo" while romping among an oversized set. The illusion is eventually shattered, however, as Streisand finds herself out of the fantasy and back in the real world. She then sings about this lost childhood innocence in the lovely "Where Is the Wonder?" Streisand then dashes out onto a platform stage surrounded by an entire room-full of musicians and performs a rousing rendition of "People" before the thunderous applause of a live studio audience.
Act II of the special begins with Streisand hamming it up for the studio audience with a campy rendition of "I've Got the Blues," before delivering a comedy monologue about "Pearl from Istanbul." Streisand then heads off to Bergdorf Goodman's department store, which allows her to sing a medley of poverty songs while parading around in some of the store's elegant fashions. This segment is the brightest highlight of the special for many fans and critics. Some high points of the Act II medley include Streisand singing a restrained version of "Second Hand Rose" to the audience, appearing as a Latin bullfighter to the tune of "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," and portraying a frustrated paperboy while mugging to "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime."
The third Act of the special is a straight concert, with no set pieces or concepts. Streisand is a performer who really thrives on the concert stage, and this segment is the most thrilling moment of the special. Streisand enters belting out an almost gravity-defying rendition of "When the Sun Comes Out," and continues to amaze the viewer with a lovely version of THE YEARLING ballad "Why Did I Choose You," a scorching performance of "Lover Come Back to Me," and an impassioned medley of three songs form FUNNY GIRL. Streisand really outdoes herself, however, with a phenomenal rendition of the Fanny Brice/Billie Holiday standard "My Man," which instantly became on of the singer's best-loved signature songs.
Streisand performs her immortal ballad version of "Happy Days Are Here Again" as the closing credits roll by on the left-hand side of the screen. The iconic finish to the number reaffirms to the viewer that he or she has indeed seen something truly special. MY NAME IS BARBRA was a huge rating triumph when first aired, and it eventually picked up five Emmy awards in addition to spawning two Top-Five, Gold-selling soundtrack albums. Watching it all again, it's absolutely no surprise.
2. COLOR ME BARBRA (1966) ***** (5 out of 5) After the across-the-board success of MY NAME IS BARBRA, CBS television permitted Barbra to create an even more elaborate follow-up as her second special. Streisand wisely knew, in order to follow in the ground-breaking success of MY NAME IS BARBRA, that her second special would indeed need to raise the bar even further in inventiveness and spectacle. Not surprisingly, she succeeded once again. Even more impressively, Streisand managed to mount this large production without sacrificing the intimacy and vision of MY NAME IS BARBRA.
Once again, the special is divided into three distinct Acts. Filming on location at Bergdorf Goodman's department store was so successful in the first special, that Streisand and company decided to film on location once again for the first Act of this second special. The decided-upon location this time was the Philadelphia Art Museum, which would allow endless chances for Barbra to "enter" different art works that would correspond with the songs being performed. In addition to the numerous artistic possibilities that this location made possible, the museum would offer the perfect opportunity to take advantage of filming in color.
After the recording of "Draw Me a Circle" that is set against the opening credits, Barbra then dashes around the museum in a maid costume to the strains of Kern and Harbach's "Yesterdays." She stops to admire various paintings and statues, often becoming the character that is depicted and singing a thematically appropriate song. Streisand performs a bittersweet rendition of Hammerstein and Romberg's "One Kiss" as Thomas Eakin's CONCERT SINGER, delivers a hilariously campy performance of Chopin's "Minute Waltz" as Marie Antoinette, embraces abstract art with the frenetic rhythm of Peter Matz's "Gotta Move," and performs a wrenching rendition of "Non C'est Rien" as a distraught Modigliani girl. The high point of Act I, however, is when Streisand compares profiles with the bust sculpture of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, while singing a tour de force rendition of Rogers and Hart's "Where or When."
The Act II circus medley allows Streisand to interact with various farm and circus animals, while singing various songs with farm/circus/animal themes. Some highlights include Barbra singing "Were Thine That Special Face" to a baby elephant, performing "I've Grown Accustomed to that Face" as a serenade to a piglet, the campy "Sam, You Made the Pants to Long" sung to a group of baby penguins, and Barbra comparing profiles with an anteater while crooning "We Have So Much in Common." Streisand also swings on a trapeze and leaps from a trampoline to the chorus of "Spring Again," and then slows things down by performing a haunting version of "I Stayed Too Long at the Fair" while seated alone on stage. Barbra also gets the chance to show off her pet poodle Sadie in this segment, and even speak a little French.
The Act III concert is once again the high point of the hour. Dressed in a slenderizing white wool dress, the concert segment is performed on a uniquely-designed stage with a partial staircase that leads nowhere. Streisand opens the Act with a sultry rendition of Harold Arlen's "Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home," before launching into heartfelt versions of the familiar standard "It Had to Be You" and the rarely-heard "C'est Si Bon (It's So Good)." Streisand then really amazes the audience with a breathtakingly powerful, octave-soaring performance of the SWEET CHARITY ballad "Where Am I Going," of which Streisand delivers the definitive rendition of. Streisand also introduces the then-newly written Richard Maltby, Jr.-David Shire ballad "Starting Here, Starting Now," which contains an impassioned vocal from Streisand that ranks among the very best vocal performances of her long career.
More than anything else, COLOR ME BARBRA was a showcase for Streisand's ever-increasing, mega-watt star power. Despite the presence of even more visual razzle-dazzle, Streisand herself is always the main attraction. Her voice sounds as beautiful as ever, and this special was the first to showcase how strikingly she photographs in color. As with MY NAME IS BARBRA, COLOR ME BARBRA was another rating-smash and spawned yet another Top-Five, Gold-selling soundtrack album. Simply put, COLOR ME BARBRA defies tradition and emerges as a sequel that is nearly on par with a classic original.
3. THE BELLE OF FOURTEENTH STREET (1967) **** (4 out of 5) After revolutionizing the art of the musical variety television special with MY NAME IS BARBRA and COLOR ME BARBRA, Barbra Streisand decided not reuse the demanding one-woman format for her third CBS special - the unfairly mangled vaudeville-tribute THE BELLE OF FOURTEENTH STREET. Deciding instead on featuring guest stars to share the spotlight, the special would still contain three acts and include another mini-concert as the final segment. Respected actor Jason Robards, vaudeville-era song-and-dance man John Bubbles, and FUNNY GIRL co-star Lee Allen all make appearances in this salute to early 1900's entertainment, which also features authentic period wardrobe (even for the audience members) and song selections appropriate to the era. Critics unanimously regarded the show as an artistic failure, however, it is, in truth, extremely enjoyable when taken as a whole.
After the amusing animated opening credits, Act I of the show opens with the weakest number of the entire special. Jason Robards stumbles through an uninspired performance of "You're the Apple of My Eye," while he and the "Bevy of Beefy Beauties" throw apples into the audience. The number is simply not very entertaining and drags on for far too long. Much better is Barbra's coy rendition of "Alice Blue Gown," which becomes a sexy burlesque striptease as strategically-placed wires begin to remove portions of her clothing. John Bubbles makes his only appearance in the special delivering a fine version of "I'm Going South," although the reason he is wearing a chicken costume is left unexplained. Streisand, Robards, and Lee Allen then perform the spirited novelty song "We're Four Americans" as an Scottish-American singing family (sort of an Irish take on the Von Trapp family), all in a thick Irish dialect.
Act II opens with one of the show's high points. Streisand appears as the heavily-accented German opera singer Madame Schmausen-Schmidt (known as the Nuremberg Nightingale), and sings a rousing semi-comedic rendition of "Leibestraum" in a shockingly strong operatic voice. Through some clever editing, Streisand as Schmausen-Schmidt then duets with a young boy in the audience (also played by Streisand) on a touching version of "Mother Machree." Next, Streisand and Robards play southern Shakespearean actors the Mungers, who deliver a selection from The Tempest. Robards portrays both Prospero and Caliban, while Streisand appears as both Miranda and Ariel. Although both Streisand and Robards give a respectable presentation of the material, it will probably be totally incomprehensible to viewers who are unfamiliar with the play.
The following third Act concert is really just as exceptional as the closing concert segments of MY NAME IS BARBRA and COLOR ME BARBRA. This time, Barbra, while dressed in a slinky black dress and oversized hat, sings gorgeous period standards such as "My Melancholy Baby" and "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows." The highlight of highlights is a stunning melody of "My Buddy," "How About Me," "A Good Man is Hard to Find," and "Some of These Days" that will send chills up even the most cynical viewer's spine. Also of special note is rousing "Everybody Loves My Baby," which Streisand has never performed anywhere else. Ending the special on a high note, the closing "Put Your Arms Around Me Honey" (set to animation that corresponds with the show's opening credits) concludes the delightful hour with just the right touch.
4. A Happening In Central Park (1968) ****½ (4.5 out of 5) Barbra's sensational once-in-a-lifetime Central Park concert in front of an audience of over 130,000 people was filmed by CBS in summer of 1967, and it was then aired as Streisand's fourth television special over a year latter to coincide with the fall 1968 release of the film FUNNY GIRL. Streisand performs in front of the huge crowd on a unique multi-level, plexiglass stage, and, throughout the evening, wears two simple diaphanous gowns that appear to gracefully take flight during several occasions on that windy summer evening. Despite reportedly being very nervous about performing in such an open venue, Streisand seems perfectly at ease while projecting a sophisticated intimacy that is difficult to achieve when performing to such a large audience.
As usual, Barbra's singing voice sounded amazing that night, and she displayed that phenomenal vocal prowess on many of the best cuts from her first eleven albums. Streisand delivers killer performances of "Cry Me a River" and "Down with Love," as well as an awesome, octave-soaring rendition of "I Can See It" that closes the first Act. The signature numbers like "People" and "He Touched Me" are passionately performed, and the breathtakingly ethereal performance of "Silent Night" is one of the most unforgettable moments in television history. The slow tracking shot that opens the show is stunning, as is the incredible crane shot that concludes the show as Streisand sings a sublime rendition of "Happy Days are Here Again."
While that evening's concert was completely flawless, the presentation of the show by CBS has some problems. A major complaint is that Barbra performed for two and half hours that night, yet only 55 minutes of the show were included in the special when it aired on television. I realize that the excised footage probably no longer exists, but I still cannot help but wish that the removed footage had been better archived. Another problem is that CBS experienced many technical problems during the filming of the concert, and, as a result, the sound and picture quality are only average. However, the most recent re-mastering of the special, for the 2005 DVD release, is the best the show has ever looked and sounded, and I believe that this is the best presentation of the show possible given the limitations of the source material.
5. BARBRA STREISAND... AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS (1973) ***** (5 out of 5) Barbra Streisand's fifth television special scored respectable ratings from viewers, but it was poorly-received by most critics and it is commonly considered one of her weakest efforts. The special's negative reputation is somewhat of a mystery, however, as AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS is a stunning achievement that was significantly ahead of it's time. The idea of performing songs (both old and new) with arrangements that incorporate instruments from around the world is a terrific idea, and the whole concept is entertainingly and cleverly executed. Tying it all together is the most amazing instrument of them all - Barbra's indescribably beautiful voice, which soars above even the most towering and complex arrangements, while always finding the emotional core to each song. The opening medley of "Sing" and "Make Your Own Kind of Music" is an outstanding number that sets the pace for the enthralling set pieces that are yet to come.
The first Act of the special is extremely inventive and visually stunning, as Streisand uses the Gershwins' immortal "I Got Rhythm" as the framework of a 14-minute medley that takes listeners on a musical tour of the world. While wearing the same simple dress design, Barbra augments her appearance with accessories appropriate to each Continent and Country being represented. Backed by an array of East Indian instruments, Barbra delivers marvelously sensual performances of "Johnny One Note" and "One Note Samba," capping things off with just the right amount of humor. She then performs an achingly beautiful rendition of Rogers and Hart's "Glad To Be Unhappy," which is given a gorgeous Japanese arrangement. Streisand's signature numbers like "People," "Second Hand Rose," and "Don't Rain On My Parade" are performed to the accompaniment of Turkish-Armenian, Spanish, Native American, African, and Irish instruments, which brings fresh interpretations to such well-loved songs. To top it off, Streisand ends the medley with a phenomenal 23-second note that broke the previous record for the longest sustained note set by Ima Sumac.
The second Act opens as Barbra is deserted by the musicians as she sings "Don't Ever Leave Me," only to find herself surrounded by then-state-of-the-art electronic sound equipment. After performing an echo-filled rendition of "By Myself," Streisand then launches into a humorous, breakneck version of "Come Back To Me" while in competition with her own pre-recorded vocal track. Next, Barbra is joined by special guest Ray Charles, who contributes a memorable performance of "Look What They've Done To My Song, Mama." Charles then duets with Barbra on a wrenching, soulful rendition of Buck Owen's country classic "Crying Time," which remains possibly Barbra's finest recorded duet. Barbra then really brings down the house with a intensely passionate performance of "Sweet Inspiration," with Charles' accompanying her on the Hammond B3 organ and his backup singers, the Raylettes, providing effective harmony vocals.
Some classical music enthusiasts were outraged when Streisand performed Schubert's masterpiece "Auf Dem Wasser Zu Singen" in a highly campy manner, however, Streisand's tongue-in-cheek take on the classic piece is all in good fun. The high point of the entire special, however, is the absolutely gorgeous version of "I Never Has Seen Snow," one of Harold Arlen's most underrated compositions. Streisand is arguably the best interpreter of Arlen's work, and her performance here is absolutely spin-tingling. In fact, the whole special is worth watching for "I Never Has Seen Snow" alone. Streisand also delivers a tour de force rendition of one her best-loved signature numbers, the stirring "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever," a challenging song that really displays what an incredible vocalist Streisand truly is.
On a slightly lessor note, the "household appliance" number, "The World is a Concerto" (which probably sounded hilarious on paper), is too gimmicky to really succeed as intended. The concept of Barbra singing a song to the accompaniment of everyday household appliances was a funny enough idea, but the "music" produced by the appliances is more distracting than humorous in execution. As is, the song is an amusing novelty, but lacks true aesthetic value. Making up for this minor misstep, however, is the closing, choral rendition of Richard Rodgers' "The Sweetest Sounds," which is absolutely heavenly. Barbra's restrained performance of this understated standard is overflowing with the hushed intensity that has always been one of the most beautiful aspects of her incomparable singing voice.
In spite of it's unfairly negative reputation, AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS remains a terrific and adventurous television special that is essential viewing for all fans of the ultimate diva. It's a shame that this inventive, entertaining, and fun television special has yet to be embraced by the entertainment community, yet, like any project ahead of it's time, perhaps it will one day find a greater audience.
About the DVD: Streisand's first five television specials were released on DVD in November 2005 as a five-disc set. The picture and sound quality are as pristine as possible given the limitations of the original elements, and are a revelation after years of watching these remarkable shows on fuzzy VHS video cassettes. There are no audio/video special features (which is mildly disappointing), although there is a terrific alternate performance of "Lover Come Back To Me" in Act III of MY NAME IS BARBRA (which is actually better than the performance that was originally broadcast in 1965). The animated menus are extraordinary, as is the 65-page booklet which features many photographs, both those that familiar and rarely-seen. The elaborate packaging is top-notch, although I would have preferred the iconic photo that is on back of the COLOR ME BARBRA soundtrack album to have been used as the cover photograph (which is, of course, just my opinion). A great deal of time and effort has obviously been spent on preparing this DVD set, and it is well worth the long wait for fans of Streisand.
Description of Barbra Streisand - The Television Specials
BARBRA STREISAND:TELEVISION SPECIALS - DVD MoviePop Music CDs
Bestsellers in Pop Music CDs
Yvette Freeman - Dinah Was (L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre Collection)Release date: 2005-04-12; Music CD
Best price: $21.07
Price in other shops:
Twin Sisters Productions - Building Character Music CDTWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS; Release date: 2007-01-01; Music CD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Bernadette Peters in ConcertDVD
Best price: $129.99
Everything Must Go/ Two Against Natureby Steely Dan
Published: 2003; Music CD
Scattered Ashesby Ihsahn / Emperor
Candlelight Records/Emi; Published: 2009-07-28; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $9.75
Price in other shops:
![Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS] Image](/images/Christmas-at-the-Biltmore-Estate-VHS-076700437X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS]A&E Home Video; Release date: 1998-09-04; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $13.83
Price in other shops:
The Shadow: Rare Radio Gems (Rare Radio Gems)Release date: 2002-09-01; Published: 2002-09-01; Music CD
Best price: $20.00
Price in other shops:
On the Shoulders of Giants, Vol. 1: An Audio & Musical Journey Through the Harlem Renaissanceby Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Release date: 2011-09-06; Published: 2008; Music CD
Best price: $1.98
Price in other shops:
Francis Durbridge, Paul Temple & The Gilbert Case - Radio ShowRelease date: 2003-05-12; Music CD
Best price: $21.49
Price in other shops:
The Serenaders - My One and Only YouRelease date: 2011-05-28; Music CD
Best price: $8.76
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Hello, Dolly! Widescreen EditionTCFHE; Release date: 2003-08-19; DVD
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
For Pete's SakeSony; Release date: 2001-04-03; DVD
Best price: $2.99
Price in other shops:
Funny GirlSony; Release date: 2001-10-23; DVD
Best price: $3.95
Price in other shops:
The Owl and the PussycatSony; Release date: 2001-11-27; DVD
Best price: $8.39
Price in other shops:
Barbra Streisand - One VoiceWea Home Video; Release date: 2006-09-12; DVD
Best price: $11.18
Price in other shops:
Inside The Actors Studio: Barbra StreisandUniversal Studios; Release date: 2007-08-07; DVD
Best price: $3.96
Price in other shops:
Barbra Streisand - Timeless: Live in ConcertSony; Release date: 2001-02-20; DVD
Best price: $11.41
Price in other shops:
Barbra Streisand - The Concert: Live at the MGM GrandSony; Release date: 2004-03-30; DVD
Best price: $7.48
Price in other shops:
Barbra Streisand - One Night Only Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard September 26,2009 (DVD with CD)Release date: 2010-05-04; DVD
Best price: $11.99
Price in other shops:
Barbra Streisand: The ConcertsUniversal Studios; Release date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $26.46
Price in other shops: