gene kelly direct the 1969 film version of hello dolly . and the musical version of the thornton wilder play the matchmaker feature music by jerry herman ( mame while la cage aux folles ) . this big but empty film version be the story of a widowed matchmaker name dolly gallgher levi and who have arrange a potential mate for a wealthy yonkers businessman but then decide that she want him for herself . barbra streisand be miscast a dolly levi . barbra and who be 26 at the time and take on a role meant for an actress in her 50 . i do not blame streisand entirely while some blame must rest with director kelly and a streisand characterization be all over the place . it part mae west and part yente the matchmake and part barbra . walter matthau casting a yonkers businessman horace vandegelder look good on paper and but he and streisand have absolutely no on screen chemistry at all . it be well document over the year that streisand and matthau do not get along at all during the making of this film and this tension do show on screen . there have be minor change to herman score and include one song write especially for barbra call love be only love that bring the film to a screeching halt . the film doesn not really come alive until the waiter ballet and imaginatively choreograph by michael kidd and barbra dynamite rendition of so long and dearie but these two highlight happen about two hour into the film and it a long wait get to them . a classic broadway musical make a limp transition to the big screen and thanks primarily to overblown and unfocused direction from mgm icon gene kelly .