Color Her Barbra

Among the goals since the beginning of this blog has been to try to hit all the “marks,” so to speak, as far as creative heroes whose work has impacted me in ways I carry around to the present day. I’ve been meaning for some time to get around to one of those who multitasked in the entertainment category, Barbra Streisand; I think the occasion of her 70th birthday this month is more than perfect timing.

It’s a vivid childhood memory; everyone has one, a moment when a movie star or pop star or whatever star is etched in your mind in a way you understand is permanent. Such it was with me at the age of nine, seeing Funny Girl for the first time in a dark and cavernous 1960s movie theater, like so many that disappeared with the advent of the multiplex. I was mesmerized by what I saw (and heard) on the huge screen; so much so, I stayed for a second showing (guess I was spared the typical kid’s ADD), despite its clocking in at nearly three hours – with intermission.

As the encomiums for this real legend (not a throwaway description here) follow in April, I think of Streisand as such a constant along the road of life, with unbound admiration for her artistic courage, tenaciousness, and passion. But most of all the talent.

Pop Culture Musings for a Tuesday 11/16/10

Hubbell and Katie, Not Quite the Same: Nostalgia on Oprah today, with a reunion of Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, centered on The Way We Were. (Their first interview together, hard to believe.) Though it was disconcerting to see the two aging superstars amid scenes from the 1973 movie, it was nevertheless a special moment when Redford came out of the wings after Streisand sang the title song. Redford, the Brad Pitt of his day, looks none the better for wear, and a zaftig Streisand was beret-clad and (bravely) make-up free. Both obviously share leftover warmth from the time they worked together. The best part for me is being able to post the pic of Redford as Hubbell Gardner in the white Navy uniform, still heavenly handsomeness in the book of movie memories.

Here We Go Again: It’s kind of creepy that the Prince gave Kate his mother’s engagement ring. Talk about baggage. One can only hope she fares better than her predecessor. And who can even contemplate the media overload on this story as the wedding nears next summer?

[Postscript: Wedding on April 29, 2011, a Friday.  Gosh, they are defying every conventional superstition.}