Cornelius Hackl in "Hello, Dolly!"

"Listen, Kid. What we need is an attractive idiot. My wife thinks you're attractive, and I think you're an idiot," said director Gene Kelly to Michael Crawford during auditions for Hello, Dolly! at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.

Michael Crawford was modestly known in the US before Kelly cast him as Cornelius Hackl opposite Barbra Streisand in the film version of the smash Broadway hit musical. Known primarily as a musical performer back in his native England, Crawford was given several musical performances in Dolly, including an on-screen dancing and singing duet with Barbra that delighted audiences. Crawford made up part of a supporting quartet that also included Danny Lockin, Maryann McAndrew and EJ Peaker, providing much of the film's comic relief.

Though he had already appeared in several motion pictures, it can be said, arguably, that his role in Dolly was Michael Crawford's breakout performance. His film career, however, never matched the success he would eventually enjoy on the stage and in concert venues. But it wasn't until 1986 when Michael Crawford became a bona fine international star.