Try to remember: A TV star was born

Barbra Streisand:

The Television Specials

(Warner Strategic Marketing, $60)

AFTER she took the recording industry by storm, guest-starred on countless variety shows -- including “The Judy Garland Show,” on which she had a scene-stealing duet with Garland -- and became Broadway’s baby with her performance as Fanny Brice in the musical “Funny Girl,” Barbra Streisand was given her own special for CBS, “My Name Is Barbra,” in 1965. The hourlong show became the event of the season and spawned several other specials, all of which are included in this five-disc set.

My Name Is Barbra

Taped in black and white in 1964 and telecast in early 1965, “My Name Is Barbra” found the 22-year-old singer holding court like a seasoned pro. Unlike most musical specials of the era, Streisand’s had no guests -- it was just her, singing and joking for an hour. The show was divided into three “acts,” the first featuring Streisand singing such tunes as “My Name Is Barbra,” “I’m Late” and her signature piece, “People,” from “Funny Girl.” In one sequence, she dresses up as a little girl and plays on a jungle gym and giant rocking chair to perform “I Wish I Were a Kid Again” and “I’m Five.”

The highlight of Act 2 is her “poverty” medley: Streisand performs songs mainly composed during the Depression -- “Second Hand Rose,” “I Got Plenty of Nothing,” “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” -- while cavorting through Bergdorf Goodman’s chichi department store on 5th Avenue.

But Streisand really turns it on in the third act. Performing in a studio in front of a small group from her fan club, she offers beautiful renditions of “Funny Girl” tunes such as “You Are Woman (I Am Man),” “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “The Music That Makes Me Dance” and “My Man.” She ends the special with her first trademark song, “Happy Days Are Here Again.”

Innovatively directed by Dwight Hemion and conceived and staged by Joe Layton, “My Name Is Barbra” won an Emmy for Streisand; Hemion won the Directors Guild of America Award for his work.

Extras: Streisand’s introduction from the 1987 video release of the special.

Color Me Barbra

The following year, Streisand returned to CBS -- this time in color -- for another musical journey. The show opens with her wandering through the Philadelphia Museum of Art singing “The Minute Waltz,” “Gotta Move,” “Where or When” and “Non C’est Rien.”

The second movement of the special is a real delight. Streisand frolics in a brightly colored circus filled with lions, kittens, anteaters, pigs, penguins, a pony and a llama as she sings a medley of songs to the animals, including “Funny Face,” “That Face,” “Small World” and “Try to Remember.”

The special ends with her onstage in concert belting out “It Had to Be You,” “Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home” and “Starting Here, Starting Now.”

Extras: Streisand’s introduction from the 1987 video release.

The Belle of 14th Street

Streisand tried something different in 1967 for her third special telecast. But it really doesn’t have the charm and emotional impact of her two previous outings.

In her tribute to turn-of-the-century vaudeville, she becomes a member of an ensemble cast -- including Jason Robards -- as they re-create a show from that era. There are comedy bits, including Robards and Streisand performing a two-person version of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” as well as Streisand singing such vintage tunes as “My Buddy,” “Put Your Arms Around Me” and “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.” Streisand is in fine voice, but this “Belle” stays too long at the fair.

Barbra Streisand:

A Happening in Central Park

This song-filled special was taped in Central Park in 1967 and telecast in 1968. Singing in front of 150,000 eager fans at Central Park’s Sheep Meadow, Streisand turns on the charm while performing hits such as “He Touched Me” and “People” as well as such novelty tunes as “Marty the Martian.” The highlight of the concert is her soaring rendition of “Silent Night,” which could make even the most miserable curmudgeon weep.

Extras: Streisand’s introduction from the 1987 video release.

Barbra Streisand ... and Other Musical Instruments

With the demands of her flourishing film career, Streisand didn’t make another TV special until this 1973 entry, which casts the Oscar winner as the ultimate “musical instrument.”

Accompanied by 150 musicians playing traditional instruments, as well as more exotic pieces such as sitar, Kabuki woodblock and even a washing machine, Streisand performs such tunes as “I Got Rhythm,” “Glad to Be Unhappy” and “People.” She even teams with Ray Charles for a few numbers and struts her rock ‘n’ roll side with “Make Your Own Kind of Music/Sweet Inspiration.”

-- Susan King