In Praise of Marty
by Allison J. Waldman

A funny thing happened while I was watching the new DVD release of “A
Star Is Born.” I gained a new appreciation of Marty Erlichman. Don’t
laugh – I’m serious. Its time to step back and evaluate the amazing job
this man has done supporting, nurturing and enabling Barbra’s career
for nearly five decades. The moment that brought Marty into focus for
me was when Barbra pointed him out in “A Star Is Born.” Barbra’s
commentary explained that Marty was playing a producer, a role he
understood because he’d been a producer, and the behind the scenes look
at the money men talking about the concert receipts while the artist is
still on stage was likely a scene Marty had played in real life many
times over. Then, almost casually, Barbra says, the moneymen only care
about money, “But not my Marty.” Wow! Doesn’t that say it all – “my
Marty.” By using the possessive pronoun, Barbra reveals that Marty
isn’t just anyone in her life; he’s her guy. Big brother, father
confessor, loyal advocate, sage advisor, unflinching devotee, chief
cook and protector extraordinaire – Martin Erlichman has been to Barbra
Streisand just about the most important asset in her career.

When Marty first entered Barbra’s life, she was truly a neophyte.
Barely out of school, struggling to make it as an actress while being
wooed as a singer, an agent had already duped her. She was justifiably
suspicious of the burly, young man who offered to be her personal
manager. He convinced her of his sincerity by simply stating that he
had no desire to change her; furthermore, he envisioned her future as
grandly as she did. They shared the same dream. She would live it, he
would facilitate it. Early on, Barbra realized that Marty wasn’t like
other show biz handlers. She once said, “Others care about money; Marty
cares about me.”

It’s ironic that Barbra’s reference to Marty in “A Star Is Born” caught
my attention because in reality, that was the film that caused a break
in their relationship. For a while there, Jon Peters was acting as
Barbra’s personal manager and Marty went off to work on other projects.
You can read into that what you will. To me, I think it was a wise move
by Marty. He never lost touch with Barbra, but he let her live her
life, and at that moment in time, Jon mattered most to her.

Marty was back for “Yentl,” and everything since. He’s been hugely
important in Barbra’s concert work, and he’s made sure to pave the way
for whatever Barbra wants to do professionally. Reportedly, the only
agreement between Barbra and Marty is a handshake. I don’t know if I
believe they’ve never formalized their business with a contract, and if
they haven’t, more power to them. Clearly, whatever the vibe, however
they work it, somehow it’s been beyond successful. It’s funny -- I
always knew Barbra had great talent when it came to entertaining. Now,
I know she has a great talent for people, too.