On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (film)

Last updated
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
ClearDayPoster.jpg
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Written by Alan Jay Lerner
Based on On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
by Alan Jay Lerner
Produced by Howard W. Koch
Starring
Cinematography Harry Stradling
Edited by David Bretherton
Music by
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date
  • June 17, 1970 (1970-06-17)
Running time
129 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million [1]
Box office$14 million [2]
Barbra Streisand Streisand - Clear Day 1970.JPG
Barbra Streisand

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever is a 1970 American musical comedy-drama fantasy film starring Barbra Streisand and Yves Montand and directed by Vincente Minnelli. The screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner is adapted from his book for the 1965 stage production of the same name. The songs feature lyrics by Lerner and music by Burton Lane. Yves portrays a hypnotherapist who discovers that his meek patient (Streisand) has an enigmatic past life as 19th century aristocrat and begins to fall in love with her.

Contents

Plot

At the behest of her mainstream conservative fiancé Warren, scatterbrained five-pack-a-day chain smoker and clairvoyant Daisy Gamble attends a class taught by psychiatrist Marc Chabot for help in kicking her habit. She becomes unintentionally hypnotized and manages to convince Chabot to attempt to cure her nicotine addiction with hypnotherapy. While undergoing hypnosis, it is discovered she is the reincarnation of Lady Melinda Winifred Waine Tentrees, a seductive 19th century coquette who was born the illegitimate daughter of a kitchen maid. She acquired the paternity records of the children housed in the orphanage where her mother had to send her and used the information to blackmail their wealthy fathers. She eventually married nobleman Robert Tentrees during the period of the English Regency, then was tried for espionage and treason after he abandoned her.

As their sessions progress, complications arise when Chabot begins to fall in love with Daisy's exotic former self and Daisy begins to fall for him, and his university colleagues demand he either give up his reincarnation research or resign his position with the school. While waiting for Chabot in his office, Daisy accidentally hears a tape recording of one of her sessions and when she discovers Chabot's interest is limited to Melinda, she storms out of the office. When she returns for a final meeting with him, she mentions fourteen additional lives, including her forthcoming birth as Laura and subsequent marriage to the therapist in the year 2038.

In Daisy's life her ex-step-brother Tad shows up and she's thrilled to see him. It's clear to see that they have an easy rapport, contrasting with Warren who never asks or listens to her opinion and often tells her what to do, what to wear, and what to say. One day Tad is on the roof of Daisy's apartment building where she gardens and tells Warren that he thinks Daisy should marry him instead as he can make her happy and he's rich. At the end of the film Daisy breaks up with Warren and it's implied that she connects with Tad.

Cast

Musical numbers

  1. "Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here" – Daisy
  2. "On a Clear Day" – Orchestra and Chorus
  3. "Love with All the Trimmings" – Daisy
  4. "Wait Till We're 65" - Warren and Daisy (cut before the film's release)
  5. "Melinda" – Marc
  6. "Go to Sleep" – Daisy
  7. "He Isn't You" – Daisy
  8. "What Did I Have That I Don't Have?" – Daisy
  9. "Who Is There Among Us Who Knows" – Tad with Daisy (cut before the film's release)
  10. "Come Back to Me" – Marc
  11. "On a Clear Day" – Marc
  12. "On a Clear Day" (Reprise) – Daisy

Production

Alan Jay Lerner made a number of changes in adapting his stage play for the screen. The character of Frenchman Marc Chabot originally was Austrian Mark Bruckner. The period of Melinda's life was shifted ahead by a decade or two, her family background is different, and the cause of her death was changed from drowning at sea to unjust execution. In the stage play, the question of whether Daisy really was a reincarnation of Melinda went unresolved, but the film script made it clear she was. The character of Daisy's stepbrother Tad Pringle was added, although most of his scenes and his song "Who Is There Among Us Who Knows?" ended up on the cutting room floor. Additionally, the future of Daisy and Marc's relationship was altered, and several ensemble musical numbers were excluded from the film.

New York City locations include Central Park, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Pan Am Building, the Upper West Side, and Lexington and Park Avenues. Scenes set in the UK were filmed at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, Kemp Town, and East Sussex.

Nelson Riddle served as the film's music supervisor, arranger, and conductor.

Cecil Beaton designed the period costumes. It proved to be his final project. Arnold Scaasi, a long time fashion collaborator with Streisand designed some of her contemporary outfits. [3] Scaasi had previously designed Streisand's outfit when she received the Oscar the year before for Funny Girl .

Paramount Pictures originally intended the film to be a nearly three-hour-long roadshow theatrical release, but executives ultimately had Minnelli cut nearly an hour from the running time. [4] Along with Tad's song, the deleted material included "Wait Till We're Sixty-Five", a duet between Daisy and Warren, "She Isn't You", Marc's response to Daisy's "He Isn't You", and "On the S.S. Bernard Cohn" although the melody can be heard in the background of the scene where Marc and Daisy drink and talk in a cocktail lounge.

In A Hundred or More Hidden Things: The Life and Films of Vincente Minnelli (Da Capo Press, 2010), author Mark Griffin examines the excised scenes, including a song entitled "People Like Me". According to Griffin: "Even among die-hard 'Clear Day' fans, this missing number is something of a mystery. It's often referred to as 'E.S.P.', which may have been the song's title at one point. Stills of [Barbra] Streisand wearing a futuristic outfit at the Central Park Zoo have surfaced, offering what appears to be a tantalizing glimpse of this deleted sequence. In [Alan Jay] Lerner's script dated April 18, 1969, Montand's character croons 'People Like Me', which features the lyrics, 'To a sober-minded man of reason, E.S.P. is worse than treason.' It's been suggested that throughout the song, there would have been cutaways to Streisand in her various incarnations—past, present and future."

Release

The film opened on June 17, 1970 at the State I and Cine Theatres in New York City and then expanded in July and August before a broad release in September. [5]

Critical reception

Upon its release, the film received mixed reviews, though it has endured its initial criticism, being one of the few films with a 100% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. [6]

In his review in The New York Times , Vincent Canby called it "a movie of fits and starts" and added,

"because the fits are occasionally so lovely, and the starts somewhat more frequent than Fifth Avenue buses, I was eventually hypnotized into a state of benign though not-quite-abject permissiveness . . . The movie is quite ordinary and Broadway-bland in most of its contemporary sequences. Miss Streisand, as a 22-year-old New Yorker whose Yiddish intonations are so thick they sound like a speech defect, defines innocence by sitting with her knees knocked together and her feet spread far apart, a mannerism she may have picked up from Mary Pickford. Minnelli's camera also is hard-pressed to find interesting things to look at in the humdrum settings . . . and a lot of the time it just records exits and entrances, as if it all were taking place on a stage. However, the movie, Minnelli and Miss Streisand burst into life in the regression sequences, filmed at the Royal Pavilion at Brighton. Minnelli's love of décor transforms the movie into very real fantasy, and the star into a stunning looking and funny character who mouths her arch, pseudo-Terence Rattigan lines as if she were parodying Margaret Leighton. She is so fine, in fact, that if I didn't know she was not terribly good at lip-sync, I would suspect someone else was reading her." [7]

Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four and declared it "a musical to see more than once, if not forever." [8] Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times called the film "just about as good as it could be," yet "dull. Nothing to get mad about, nothing to dislike. Just nothing to care about, to put your arm around your wife or sweetheart about, nothing to get so enthused about you forget there's a smoggy and war-infested world outdoors." [9] Tom Milne of The Monthly Film Bulletin expressed disappointment that "two of the best and liveliest songs in the show," "On the S.S. Bernard Cohn" and "Wait Till We're Sixty-Five," were not included in the final cut of the movie. "Without them," Milne wrote, "it is merely a charming romantic comedy agreeably tricked out with charming songs." [10]

TV Guide rates the film 2½ out of a possible four stars and comments, "[It] boasts great sets and costumes, but its script leaves much to be desired, and even the usually reliable Vincente Minnelli is unable to inject much life into the proceedings." [11]

Time Out London says: "Minnelli is able to decorate his material with beguiling visual conceits – the opening time-lapse photography, the colour contrasts between past and present. But he can do nothing to combat the script's length and shallowness, and there are some thumb-twiddling moments in between Burton Lane's delightful songs. The two star performers make an odd team, with their varying kinds of professionalism and vowel sounds." [12]

Box office

The film was produced on a budget of $8 million. [1] It grossed $14 million at the box office in the United States and Canada, returning $5.35 million in theatrical rentals. [2] [13]

Accolades

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album to the film was released by Columbia Records in 1970.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liza Minnelli</span> American actress, singer, dancer (born 1946)

Liza May Minnelli is an American actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli is one of the very few performers awarded a non-competitive Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT). Minnelli is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yves Montand</span> French-Italian actor and singer (1921–1991)

Ivo Livi, better known as Yves Montand, French:[ivmɔ̃tɑ̃]; 13 October 1921 – 9 November 1991) was an Italian-born French actor and singer. He is said to be one of France's greatest 20th-century artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbra Streisand</span> American singer and actress (born 1942)

Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand is an American singer, actress, and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment and is among the few performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burton Lane</span> American composer and lyricist (1912–1997)

Burton Lane was an American composer and lyricist primarily known for his theatre and film scores. His most popular and successful works include Finian's Rainbow in 1947 and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Richardson (actor)</span> English actor (1934–2021)

John Richardson was an English actor who appeared in films from the late 1950s until the early 1990s. He was a male lead in Italian genre films, most notably Mario Bava's Black Sunday (1960) with Barbara Steele, but he was best known for playing the love interest of Ursula Andress in She (1965) and then of Raquel Welch in One Million Years B.C. (1966).

<i>On a Clear Day You Can See Forever</i> 1965 musical

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever is a musical with music by Burton Lane and a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner based loosely on Berkeley Square, written in 1926 by John L. Balderston. It concerns a woman who has ESP and has been reincarnated. The musical received three Tony Award nominations.

<i>Gigi</i> (1958 film) 1958 film by Vincente Minnelli

Gigi is a 1958 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Vincente Minnelli and processed using Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Eastmancolor film process Metrocolor. The screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner is based on the 1944 novella of the same name by Colette. The film features songs with lyrics by Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, arranged and conducted by André Previn. Costume design was done by Cecil Beaton.

Forbidden Hollywood is a parody show that opened Off-Off-Broadway and was taped live in Hollywood. It was created by Gerard Alessandrini, who also created the popular series of Off-Broadway parodies of Broadway theatre, Forbidden Broadway. But this production, instead of spoofing Broadway, lampooned popular films such as Forrest Gump, Sense and Sensibility, Pulp Fiction, Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz and Disney's Aladdin, and songs featured in them, although most of the score consists of songs from musicals used to comment on the films. It also spoofs movie stars like Tom Hanks, Keanu Reeves, Barbra Streisand, Ann-Margret and Whoopi Goldberg. A New York Times reviewer wrote that although the production had funny moments, "the tone that defines the show is a glib disaffection for Hollywood", lamenting that the show missed the opportunity to use more songs from films, and concluding: "It's fine if Mr. Alessandrini wants to see Hollywood as the enemy, but you have to know your enemy to take good aim at it."

<i>The Main Event</i> (1979 film) 1979 film by Howard Zieff

The Main Event is a 1979 American sports romantic comedy film starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal, written by Gail Parent, directed by Howard Zieff, and produced by Jon Peters and Streisand.

<i>The Movie Album</i> (Barbra Streisand album) 2003 studio album by Barbra Streisand

The Movie Album is the thirtieth studio album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released on October 14, 2003, by Columbia Records. Overall, her sixtieth release with her record label, it was executively produced by Streisand and her manager, Jay Landers. A concept album, it contains twelve songs from the singer's favorite films ranging in release from 1935 to 1988. While curating the album, Streisand was inspired by her marriage to actor James Brolin to record songs about love and relationships. To better fit her needs, songwriting duo Alan and Marilyn Bergman were commissioned to add lyrics to several of the songs Streisand had chosen to record.

Arnold Isaacs, known as Arnold Scaasi, was a Canadian fashion designer who has created gowns for First Ladies Mamie Eisenhower, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush, in addition to such notable personalities as Joan Crawford, Ivana Trump, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Lauren Bacall, Diahann Carroll, Elizabeth Taylor, Catherine Deneuve, Brooke Astor, Arlene Francis, Mitzi Gaynor and Mary Tyler Moore.

<i>Timeless: Live in Concert</i> 2000 live album by Barbra Streisand

Timeless: Live in Concert is a live album released by Barbra Streisand on September 19, 2000. It was her fifth live album and was released on Columbia Records. The album was issued a week before what were said to be her final concerts in September 2000 and would reach platinum certification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Bailey (entertainer)</span> American actor

James William Bailey was an American singer, film, television and stage actor, and female impersonator.

<i>Live Concert at the Forum</i> 1972 live album by Barbra Streisand

Live Concert at the Forum is the second live album by American singer Barbra Streisand, released physically on October 1, 1972, by Columbia Records. Produced by long-time collaborator Richard Perry, it was recorded at The Forum in Inglewood, part of Greater Los Angeles, on April 15, 1972, during Four for McGovern, a concert held in benefit for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign. A CD version of Live Concert at the Forum was released on September 6, 1989.

<i>The Shadow of Your Smile</i> (Johnny Mathis album) 1966 studio album by Johnny Mathis

The Shadow of Your Smile is an album by American pop singer Johnny Mathis that was released by Mercury Records in March 1966, and included covers of the same two Beatles songs that would be in stores one month later on an Andy Williams album of the same name. Mathis also tackled recent easy listening fare on this album in addition to show tunes from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and West Side Story.

On a Clear Day may refer to:

<i>The Owl and the Pussycat</i> (soundtrack) 1970 soundtrack album by Barbra Streisand, George Segal, and Blood, Sweat & Tears

The Owl and the Pussycat is the soundtrack album to the 1970 American film of the same name. Released by Columbia Records, it features film dialogue by Barbra Streisand and George Segal recorded over music performed by American band Blood, Sweat & Tears. The album's five tracks were all written by Buck Henry, produced by Thomas Z. Shepard.

<i>On a Clear Day You Can See Forever</i> (soundtrack) 1970 soundtrack album by Barbra Streisand and Yves Montand

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever is the soundtrack album to the 1970 American film of the same name. It was released by Columbia Records on July 1, 1970 and features singing by Barbra Streisand and Yves Montand, in addition to choral arrangements and live orchestration. No commercial singles were released from the soundtrack, but the reprise version of the title track was released as a promotional single on 7" vinyl by Columbia. Executively and solely produced by Wally Gold, the album's ten tracks were written by Alan Jay Lerner while the music was written by Burton Lane. The album was reissued on compact disc in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)</span>

"On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" is a song written by Burton Lane (music) and Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics) for the 1965 Broadway musical On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. It was subsequently performed by American actress and vocalist Barbra Streisand in the 1970 film adaptation of the musical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Songbird Sings Streisand</span> 2003 concert residency by Regine Velasquez

Songbird Sings Streisand was a concert residency and tribute show by Filipino singer Regine Velasquez at the Onstage Theater in Makati. The residency began on November 14 and concluded on December 20, 2003, after completing twelve shows. The set list contained songs recorded by American singer-songwriter Barbra Streisand, who Velasquez described as an inspiration and influence. It featured Streisand's extensive catalogue in music, film, and theatre. The show was exclusively promoted by Maximedia International. Raul Mitra served as musical director for the production. Reviews for the show were generally positive, with critics praising Velasquez's vocal ability.

References

  1. 1 2 "Par At Columbus Circle Will Open With 'Clear Day,' $8,000,000 Tuner". Variety . December 24, 1969. p. 3.
  2. 1 2 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever at Box Office Mojo
  3. Jacobs, Alexandra (August 4, 2015). "Arnold Scaasi Dies at 85; Dressed Stars and Socialites, His 'Scaasi Girls'". The New York Times . Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  4. "On a Clear Day at DVDVerdict.com".[ dead link ]
  5. "Paramount's Summer Playoff Strategy: 5,000 Bookings For Eight Major Films". Variety . June 3, 1970. p. 5.
  6. On a Clear Day You Can See Forever at Rotten Tomatoes
  7. Canby, Vincent (18 June 1970). "Movie Review - Screen: 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' Begins Its Run - NYTimes.com". The New York Times.
  8. Siskel, Gene (August 18, 1970). "On a Clear Day". Chicago Tribune . Section 2, p. 3.
  9. Champlin, Charles (July 8, 1970). "La Streisand Sings Along in 'Clear Day'". Los Angeles Times . Part IV, p. 1.
  10. Milne, Tom (September 1971). "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 38 (452): 184.
  11. "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever". TVGuide.com.
  12. "Time Out London review". Archived from the original on 2009-07-12. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  13. "All-time Film Rental Champs". Variety . 7 January 1976. p. 46.
  14. "AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-13.