Restored ‘Funny Girl’ to open the TCM Classic Film Festival

Turner Classic Movies announced Thursday that the restored 1968 musical “Funny Girl,” for which Barbra Streisand won the best actress Oscar as famed comedian Fanny Brice, will open the fourth TCM Classic Film Festival.

The festival is to take place April 25-28, 2013, at various locations in Hollywood, including Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Streisand earned a Tony Award nomination for her iconic role as Brice in the 1964 Broadway production of “Funny Girl,” which features such Jule Styne and Bob Merrill standards as “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”

The lavish 1968 movie, which co-starred Omar Sharif and Kay Medford, was directed by William Wyler. It marked Streisand’s film debut.

Three other restoration premieres at the festival were announced Thursday: Buster Keaton’s 1926 masterpiece, “The General”; George Stevens’ 1956 epic, “Giant,” which was James Dean’s last film; and the 1963 World War II adventure “The Great Escape,” with Steve McQueen and James Garner.

Other screenings, events and guest will be announced in coming months. Passes go on sale on Nov. 15. For more information, go to festival’s website: https://www.tcm.com/festival

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