Title: Runner Up to "Dolly"
Review: Saw this film for the first time about a year ago, and became absorbed with the comparison to "Hello Dolly." Now I see that not only is "Dolly" a great film, but one of the few examples of a very successful remake. This is especially rare when a film is adapted to a musical format. "Dolly" seemed to follow the script of "Matchmaker" very closely, but did a much better job of putting it across. It added umph where it belonged, really bringing out the many choice morsels of the story. "Matchmaker" seems stagy by comparison and actually a rather mechanical run-through. I know its actors are veterans and some from the same vehicle on stage, but they lack the edge in this movie presentation of the fresher and sharper "Dolly" cast. The material begged for the snap that "Dolly" gave it. "Matchmaker" is a good enough movie, but "Dolly" really sings (even when there's no music).
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