Funny Girl

**** out of ****

“Funny Girl” is one of my favorite films, and not simply because it stars Barbra Streisand. Okay, maybe so, but her endearing (and Oscar-winning) performance as ebullient Fanny Brice unquestionably carries the film from start to finish. Throw in a little of William Wyler (1942 Best Director, “Mrs. Miniver”; 1946, “The Best Years of Our Lives”; 1959, “Ben-Hur”) for direction and you have a showstopper semi-biography of the early 20th century Ziegfeld comedienne on your hands. “Funny Girl” is probably most recommended for fans of “Bahbra” (especially for the musical numbers, including the legendary “People”), but it is still comical entertainment for all. Best shot: Barbra on the steamboat by the Statue of Liberty, belting out “Don’t Rain on My Parade” right before the intermission. 1968, 151 Mins.