Funny Girl

Directed by William Wyler, 1968
G; 151 minutes

"When she [Barbra Streisand] is singing—in a marvelous scene on roller skates—when she throws a line away, or shrugs, or looks funny or sad, she has a power, gentleness and intensity that rather knocks all the props and sets and camera angles on their ear.” — Renata Adler, New York Times

In this bittersweet, classic musical drama, the young, vibrant and beautiful Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand) starts out as a bit player on the New York City vaudeville stage, but works her way up to Broadway stardom. Valued for her vocal and comedic talents by the renowned theater impresario Florenz Ziegfeld (Walter Pidgeon), Fanny thrives, but her relationship with her suave, imprisoned businessman husband, Nick Arnstein (Omar Sharif), is another story.

The “My Favorite Films” series features tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism with films since 1945. These films may hold special memories for you—no matter how many times you see them, they continue to draw you in once more. While many of these films are available through streaming, it's always more fun to see them in the theatre.

This December, enter the world of classic cinematic musicals. Whether you're a lifelong fan of musicals or discovering these masterpieces for the first time, this is a series you won't want to miss.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern and then settle in for an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterwards with fellow film enthusiasts.

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 (FREE for Modern members) and are available at the Museum’s admission desk or online here.