Be Yourself!

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

While Barbra Streisand played musical-comedy star Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and Funny Lady, the closest Brice ever came to playing a Streisand-like role on film was in the 1930 comedy-drama Be Yourself. The Rose of Washington Square is cast as Fanny Field, the long-suffering girlfriend of no-account, gin-swilling prizefighter Jerry Moore (Robert Armstrong). After sacrificing everything to advance Jerry's career, Fanny is "repaid" when Jerry dumps her in favor of femme fatale Lillian (Gertrude Astor). Our heroine gets her revenge by telling Jerry's ring opponent to "go after" her man's nose, which was recently reconstructed by plastic surgery. As a result, Jerry loses the bout, but comes to his senses, returning to Fanny for good. Highlights include Brice's takeoff of "Dante's Inferno" and her song solo "Cookin' Breakfast for the One I Love," co-written by her then-husband Billy Rose. Unfortunately, the public didn't respond to Be Yourself, and Fanny Brice never again starred in a film, though she appeared as supporting player and guest performer from time to time. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Number of Discs: 1
• Screen: Black and White
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Fanny Brice - Fanny Field
       Robert Armstrong - Jerry Moore
       Harry Green - Harry Field
       Gertrude Astor - Lillian
       Budd Fine - Step

• Director:

  Thornton Freeland

• Screenwriter:

  Thornton Freeland

• Book Author:

  Joe Jackson

• Screenwriter:

  Max Marcin

• Cinematographer:

  Robert Planck, Karl Struss

• Songwriter:

  Billy Rose

• Editor:

  Robert J. Kern

• Art Director:

  William Cameron Menzies

• Set Designer:

  Park French, William Cameron Menzies

• Costume Designer:

  Alice O'Neill

• Choreography:

  Maurice L. Kusell

• Presented by:

  Joseph M. Schenck