Well hello, Dolly! It's nice to have a movie musical back on the big screen where it belongs.
The lavish 1969 movie production of "Hello, Dolly!" will return to more than 600 theaters across the country on Sunday, Aug. 11, and Wednesday, Aug. 14, presented by Fathom Events as part of the TCM Big Screen Classics series.
Locally, the film will be shown at Regal Hamilton Place 8, 2000 Hamilton Place Blvd., and AMC Chattanooga 18, 5080 South Terrace. Show times on Aug. 11 are 1 p.m. at the Regal, 1 and 4 p.m. at AMC Chattanooga. On Aug. 14, shows are set for noon and 7 p.m. at both theaters.
"Hello, Dolly!" is marking its 50th anniversary this year, but still "looking swell." Barbra Streisand stars as the irrepressible Dolly Levi, whose matchmaking skills come in handy when she sets her eye on the curmudgeonly "half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau). Dolly orchestrates the love lives of her friends, all the while trying to get the man she likes to fall for her.
The cast includes Michael Crawford, Marianne McAndrew, E.J. Peaker, Danny Lockin and Tommy Tune.
Directed by Gene Kelly, "Hello, Dolly!" is a movie extravaganza that includes beautiful costumes, elaborate sets, impressive choreography and a dozen memorable songs by Jerry Herman.
The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won three: Best Art Direction, Best Score of a Musical Picture and Best Sound.
"Hello, Dolly!" is family entertainment and a good way to introduce young viewers to the splendor of movie musicals the way they used to make them.
Check with theaters for ticket prices.