8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
BELLE Not A Bummer, July 17, 2006
This review is from: Barbra Streisand - The Belle of 14th Street (DVD)
THE BELLE OF 14TH STREET has a bad reputation among Streisand's television specials. It was never rebroadcast after it aired in 1967. Columbia Records cancelled a soundtrack album that was to be released. And over the years, Streisand fans have come to know of it as her first "bomb".
Now it's out on DVD. You can judge for yourself.
For me, BELLE is not as horrible as people say it is. True, it is a departure from the formula which worked so well in MY NAME IS BARBRA (1965) and COLOR ME BARBRA (1966). In fact, Barbra's next television special (A HAPPENING IN CENTRAL PARK) would return to the format: Streisand - only - singing.
BELLE included guest stars and a format in which Streisand was not prominently featured. Jason Robards and John Bubbles had their own songs. Set in a turn-of-the-century vaudevillian theater, BELLE OF 14TH was an homage to that style of performing. Perhaps it does not succeed because the creative team makes fun of it and yet lovingly salutes it at the same time.
For Streisand fans, there is a lot to enjoy even if the entire concept does not gell. Barbra and Robards sing a fun, patriotic "We're Four Americans". Any fan who wondered what Streisand must have been like in her off-Broadway show ANOTHER EVENING WITH HARRY STOONES need look no further. In "skit" mode, Streisand is charming. With Robards during this song she dances, mugs, and sometimes does some scene-stealing bits. Fun!
Finally, the last concert segment is pure Streisand joy. Every song is superb. Favorites here are "My Buddy/How About Me" as well as the exhilarating "Everybody Loves My Baby" in which Streisand gets to do some comedic singing.
BELLE is not a bummer. It's a hodge podge of styles and a funny homage to vaudeville. If you can't stand to watch the overly long TEMPEST set piece, then just forward to the songs!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Streisand's Belle engaging, September 22, 2006
This review is from: Barbra Streisand - The Belle of 14th Street (DVD)
This TV special certainly has a bad reputation- and a few online critics here apparently agree. But for me watching this program for the first time recently was a revelation. Yes there are slow parts- and yes- the other guests distract. But to see Barbra hamming it up and being silly is a delight. Then there's her singing. The concert portion with BS as the "belle" is the best- and she shines throughout this section. She looks trim & radiant just a few months after giving birth to Jason. Rent it or buy it- but judge for yourself. Despite some flaws, it's still classic Barbra.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dare I say I Liked It?, September 2, 2008
This review is from: Barbra Streisand - The Belle of 14th Street (DVD)
I had never even heard of The Belle of 14th Street and found its concept pretty interesting. I find vaudeville very curious and I celebrate that Barbra tried this concept out. I suspect that vaudeville didn't have a great reputation and that it bombed because of that, but if you see talent involved and how good they are, that counts for a lot. I recommend it.
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