Barbra Streisand - The Television Specials

Product Description Box set featuring Barbra Streisand in five era-defining television specials that introduced her to the world. 'My Name Is Barbra' (1965) was Streisand's first solo television outing, featuring fantastic sets as a backdrop to her dynamic vocals. The programme won five Emmy Awards. A sequence at Bergdorf Goodman mixes satire with music and high fashion fantasy; her medley of songs includes 'Second-Hand Rose', 'Brother Can You Spare A Dime?' and 'The Best Things In Life Are Free'. 'Color Me Barbra' (1966) was aired just after Streisand had completed a successful Broadway run in 'Funny Girl' and had seven gold records to her credit. She sings surrounded by animals in a circus dream sequence and wanders the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In 'The Belle Of 14th Street' (1967), Streisand is joined by actor Jason Robards in this tribute to turn of the century vaudeville. Amongst the highlights is a duet with herself via the miracle of technology, and Streisand and Robards performing excerpts from the Tempest. In 'Barbra Streisand: A Happening In Central Park', an estimated 135,000 people jammed Central Park's Sheep Meadow for this free solo concert in 1968. Six televison cameras and a film camera mounted on a helicopter recorded this concert and the audience from every conceivable angle. Finally 'Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments' (1973) was her first television appearance after a five year gap. It features over 150 musicians from around the world performing on almost every conceivable instrument. Amazon.com A feast for Barbra Streisand fans, The Television Specials collects five one-hour programs she recorded between 1965 and 1973 when she was known simply as a recording artist and Broadway star rather than a film director, reclusive performer, and political activist. The first is My Name Is Barbra (April 14, 1965), shot shortly after she played in Funny Girl. Shot in black and white, it's a little different from the other variety shows of the day (e.g., The Judy Garland Show) in that there's no parade of guest stars or dancing girls. That's a good thing, as those are the numbers that get dated very quickly . Instead, we have all Barbra, even if she's more comfortable singing than doing comedy monologues. The show winds its way through an Alice in Wonderland sequence which ends in a plain but magnificent rendition of "People," then has Streisand in a store's fur department. Last is a simple concert setting that includes a Funny Girl medley with "Don't Rain on My Parade" and "The Music that Makes Me Dance." The closing concert segment would become a staple, and the peak, of all her shows. Color Me Barbra followed on March 30, 1966 and is, naturally, filmed in color. The first sequence was shot at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with Streisand wandering among the masterworks and antiquities, even singing "Where or When" dressed as Nefertiti. Next she's among a circus of animals, singing "Try to remember" to the elephant or poking fun at herself by telling the anteater "We have so much in common." Again, the final act is her just singing at a mike, with "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" and "It Had to Be You." Making its home-video debut, The Belle of 14th Street (October 11, 1967) is something of an oddity. It's styled like a vaudeville show, with period costumes (including the audience) and old-time numbers. Jason Robards (singing and dancing!), John Bubbles, and others guest-star. Streisand plays a modest stripper for "Alice Blue Gown," plays an operatic diva for "Liebestraum," then does double duty as a boy (pre-Yentl) in the audience invited to sing a duet of "Mother Macree" with the on-stage Streisand. The last segment is Streisand singing (accompanied on stage by David Shire before he wrote shows on Broadway with Richard Maltby) such songs as "My Melancholy Baby," "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," and a medley that includes "My Buddy" and "How About Me?" The highlight of the collection, A Happen