Hello, Dolly! (1969)

Dolly Levi (Barbra Streisand) is a widow who spends her time 'arranging things', mainly marriages. Whilst helping bachelor Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau) find a wife Dolly finds herself falling for him herself. Along the way she meddles in the lives of Horace's niece, Ermengarde, her boyfriend, Horace's two shop keepers, Cornelius and Barnaby, and two hat makers Irene and Minne.

Hello, Dolly! was directed by Gene Kelly and so it should come as no surprise that the dancing in the film is superb. I enjoyed it even more than the singing, although Streisand is wonderful. The film was based on the Broadway production of the same name. The film was nominated for seven academy awards and won three.

With a colourful cast including Michael Crawford, Danny Lockin, Marianne McAndrew, Joyce Ames and E.J. Peaker, Hello, Dolly! is a fun, joyful romp through New York. Whilst it is not the greatest musical in the world it is enjoyable and Streisand brings a fast paced life to the character of Dolly.

3.5/5