Barbra Streisand is reportedly re-cutting the ending of the 1968 screen adaptation of Funny Girl, apparently to make the plot make more sense. Streisand's husband, James Brolin, discussed the work on an episode of Bill Maher's podcast Club Random, as reported by The Wrap.
"In the end, it didn't make sense why they split, and she's putting it all back together for the 50th anniversary," Brolin says (though the film celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018). Based on the Broadway musical, the film centers on stage and screen star Fanny Brice, ending with a separation from husband Nick Arnstein following his release from prison.
That misstated anniversary leads many to believe Brolin actually is referring to The Way We Were, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. That being said, there is no official indication that Streisand has been granted clearance to re-cut either film, so we will just have to wait and see what happens.
Funny Girl features a score with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, and a book by Isobel Lennart, who adapted the screenplay for the movie version as well. Premiering on Broadway in 1964, the musical propelled a young Streisand to international fame. She won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her performance in the movie version. The actor-singer has gone on to direct several films—notably including Yentl and The Mirror Has Two Faces—but the EGOT winner did not direct Funny Girl. That task was carried out by William Wyler, who died in 1981 (Garson Kanin directed the Broadway premiere).
Funny Girl recently received its first-ever Broadway revival in a new production featuring a revised book from Tony winner Harvey Fierstein. That production is currently on a U.S. national tour.
