Barbra writes 42-page film treatment, detailing Yentl as a voice-over musical. She immerses herself in Jewish studies. Rusty Lemorande joins film development.
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Late 1968
Barbra options film rights to "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy."
1969
Singer writes first "Yentl" screenplay, a 200-page "long short story," according to Barbra, which was not sufficiently cinematic.
1971
Barbra's First Artists announces that the film Masquerade will be based on "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy," with Streisand starring, Sherry producing, Ivan Passer directing, and Singer and Passer screenwriting. A screenplay was also drafted by Jerome Kass. Passer soon leaves the project and directs another film. In succeeding years screenplays are also drafted by others, including playwright Leah Napolin, whose play, Yentl, starring Tovah Feldshuh runs on Broadway in 1975. Director Milos Forman's collaboration on the film is invited, but he declines. Major studios show no interest, and the project is shelved.
1978
During The Main Event filming Barbra decides to revive the "Yentl."
1979
Barbra writes 42-page film treatment, detailing Yentl as a voice-over musical. She immerses herself in
Jewish studies. Rusty Lemorande joins film development.
Fall '79
Barbra has brother Sheldon photograph her standing next to their father Emanuel's gravestone at Mount Hebron cemetery in Queens, NY. When viewing the photo, Barbra notices a man named Anchel buried next to father and interprets this as sign that she should proceed with Yentl. Also, that evening, a medium transmits message from her father to Barbra - "Sing proud."
November 1979
Orion Pictures green lights Yentl film development for one year, with Jon Peters co-producing; Barbra to star in and direct the musical.
1980
Barbra begins drafting screenplays, consulting rabbis, and blocking scenes with Michel Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman. Legrand and the Bergmans write film's musical score.
Fall 1980
Barbra and Lemorande first visit Prague, Czechoslovakia to shoot Super-8 film of Barbra in costume as Anshel. She stops in Amsterdam to study Rembrandt's paintings, which would serve to influence Yentl's cinematography and art direction.
November 19, 1980
Barwood Films submits production budget to Orion. The big-budget film Heaven's Gate bombs the same month. Orion concludes Yentl development, and Peters moves development to PolyGram Pictures briefly.
Early 1981
March 1981
Serious negotiations commence with United Artists.
June 22, 1981
United Artists production contract announced, with Yentl receiving $14.5 million guaranteed budget and UA final cut approval. Pre-production begins, with Stanley O'Toole as executive producer.
June - December 1981 British screenwriter Jack Rosenthal completes screenplay with Barbra. Locations scouted in August and September. Larry DeWaay replaces O'Toole as executive producer. In December Mandy Patinkin is cast as Avigdor, following offers to Michael Douglas and Richard Gere. Casting completed.
Early 1982
Pre-production completed with principals in London. Soundtrack recorded at Olympic Recording Studios.
April 1, 1982
Rehearsals commence outside London at Lee International Film Studios, Wembley, Middlesex, England.
April 14, 1982
Principal photography commences. Interior shooting begins at Lee International, scheduled to last at least four weeks. Streisand typically lives and works 6 a.m. - 2 a.m. (10-7 actual filming).
June 8, 1982
Responding to continual tabloid attacks on Barbra, Yentl First Stagehand Bill Keenan writes
letter defending his director, which is signed by cast members and 100-person production team. He sends letter to every London newspaper and some U.S. publications. Despite sole publication in Screen International, a British trade magazine, the letter becomes one of Streisand's most cherished possessions.
July - August 1982
In early part of the month, production moves to Roztyly, Czechoslovakia for shooting of Yanev scenes, after several weeks delay due to heavy rains.
Next, production travels to Zatec's Jewish quarter for Bechev scenes. Finally, location shooting ends in Prague with the Lublin scenes, including the famous
Charles Bridge.
September 1982
Production returns to Lee International, England. "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" is filmed on soundstage. "A Piece of Sky" is shot on ship near Liverpool.
October 1982
Near the end of the month, production wraps, only 11% over budget.
November 1982 - July 1983
April 7, 1983
MGM/UA's Vice Chairman and CEO Frank Yablans issues a press release, which states in part, "I want to make it clear that Ms. Streisand is, has been, and will always be the credited producer and director of the film, retaining full artistic control. We at MGM/UA who have seen the rough cut are tremendously elated and proud to be associated with Yentl."
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October 12, 1983
Yentl's music premieres - "The Way He Makes Me Feel" single released on Columbia, with film and pop studio versions, plus a promo-only 12-inch picture disc single.
November 8, 1983
Yentl - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack released on Columbia in the U.S.
November 16, 1983
Yentl world premieres at Cinerama Dome in L.A. to benefit Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Barbra attends) and in New York to benefit Ms. Foundation and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research (Patinkin and Amy Irving attend).
November 18, 1983
Limited release to 13 theaters in New York, L.A., and Toronto.
December 9, 1983
Wide national release in North America. Domestic Box Office (1983-84): $39.3 million
Foreign Box Office (1984): $22.8 million
03 Feb 2009
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