forty sixth anniversary

hey there

as a disclaimer, or if you like qualification, i know that i am not setting this article for publication on the specific date of the anniversary being celebrated. rather, i am throwing it onto the internet one day early, look you see, so that you, the people, may prepare for it. 

so, anyway, moving on, whenever you say "March 17" to someone, the immediate thought everyone will have (except for those what have a birthday on that date, or some other significant memory) is, of course, that wonderful night in 1975 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the cinema for a Royal performance screening of the motion picture Funny Lady. this was such big news that it made the cover of the TV Times magazine that week. 

yes, but of course, this is the version (or variant) of film called Funny Lady which starts the awesome and amazing Barbra Streisand, no less. she was indeed in attendance at this Royal screening, and thanks to the magic of the internet you can see some film footage of the event by clicking here. 

famously, or infamously, it was of course so that Funny Lady was a sequel to the motion picture Funny Girl, what Barbs won an Oscar for. she had no wish to be in this follow up film, despite a hastily signed contractual obligation to do so, but apparently quite liked the script. whilst not a bad film as such, it is perhaps not quite so good as the original. 

having Barbra attend the Royal screening of the motion picture, in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was quite close to the potential of the great royalty of Britain and America meeting. if Mr Sinatra had been cast in the film as originally proposed, and thus also would have been in attendance, then it would have been so. 

many of you, in particular readers from outside of the UK, may be unaware of the concept, or if you like phenomenon, of a Royal Cinema Premiere for a motion picture. basically, it does what it says in the name, in truth. each year (except 2020, of course, but perhaps there was one pre-lockdown) a screening of a new film is held in the presence of a prominent member of the Royal Family. 

generally, or where possible, a British made (or made in Britain) film is selected. however, it also must be a motion picture what is suitable and appropriate to show a senior member of the Royal Family. in this regard, 1975 was problematic, as films such as Tommy, Carry On Behind, The Man Who Would Be King, Confessions Of A Pop Performer and Rocky Horror Picture Show are not ones which one would presume that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would describe as being "quite class". 

usually, yes, whenever there is a James Bond film out, that is the one what gets the nod for a special Royal screening. indeed them films do have rather a lot of sex and violence in, but as Bond does it all purely "for Queen and Country" it is perfectly agreeable. 

late evening television entertainment on 17 March 1975 was, then, pretty much limited to watching Barbra Streisand be introduced to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. oh yes, James Caan was also there, and some other people. 

anyway, anything else what i write (wrote) here will just delay you from preparing to mark the anniversary proper. or, indeed, watching Funny Lady, the superior Funny Girl or any Barbra Streisand film. well, you could watch some other Royal Performance film, i guess. 

be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!