<P> Hello, Dolly! is a 1969 American romantic comedy musical film based on the Broadway production of the same name . Directed by Gene Kelly and adapted and produced by Ernest Lehman, the cast includes Barbra Streisand, Walter Matthau, Michael Crawford, Danny Lockin, Tommy Tune, Fritz Feld, Marianne McAndrew, E.J. Peaker and Louis Armstrong (whose recording of the title tune had become a number - one single in May 1964). The film follows the story of Dolly Levi (a strong - willed matchmaker), as she travels to Yonkers, New York, to find a match for the miserly "well - known unmarried half - a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder . In doing so she convinces his niece, his niece's intended, and Horace's two clerks to travel to New York City . </P> <P> The film won three Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Score of a Musical Picture, and Best Sound Mixing and was nominated for a further four Academy Awards, including Best Picture . Although the film eventually broke even, it was not a commercial success . </P> <P> In 1890, all of New York City is excited because widowed, brassy Dolly Levi (Barbra Streisand) is in town ("Call On Dolly"). Dolly makes a living through matchmaking and numerous sidelines ("Just Leave Everything to Me"). She is currently seeking a wife for grumpy Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau), the well - known "half - a-millionaire", but it becomes clear that Dolly intends to marry Horace herself . Dolly travels to Yonkers, New York to visit Horace . Ambrose Kemper (Tommy Tune), a young artist, wants to marry Horace's weepy niece, Ermengarde (Joyce Ames), but Horace opposes this because Ambrose's vocation does not guarantee a steady living . Horace, who is the owner of Vandergelder's Hay and Feed, explains to his two clerks, Cornelius Hackl (Michael Crawford) and Barnaby Tucker (Danny Lockin), that he is going to get married because "It Takes a Woman" to cheerfully do all the household chores . He plans to travel to New York City to propose to Irene Molloy (Marianne McAndrew), who owns a hat shop there . Dolly arrives in Yonkers and sends Horace ahead to the city . Before leaving, he tells Cornelius and Barnaby to mind the store . </P> <P> Cornelius decides that he and Barnaby need to get out of Yonkers . Dolly knows two ladies in New York City they should call on: Irene Molloy and her shop assistant, Minnie Fay (E.J. Peaker). She enters Ermengarde and Ambrose in the upcoming polka competition at the fancy Harmonia Gardens Restaurant in New York City, so Ambrose can demonstrate his ability to be a breadwinner to Uncle Horace . Cornelius, Barnaby, Ambrose, Ermengarde and Dolly take the train to New York ("Put on Your Sunday Clothes"). Irene and Minnie open their hat shop for the afternoon . Irene does not love Horace Vandergelder and declares that she will wear an elaborate hat to impress a gentleman ("Ribbons Down My Back"). Cornelius and Barnaby arrive at the shop and pretend to be rich . Horace and Dolly arrive and Cornelius and Barnaby hide . Minnie screams when she finds Cornelius hiding in an armoire . Horace is about to open the armoire himself, but Dolly "searches" it and pronounces it empty . After hearing Cornelius sneeze, Horace storms out upon realizing there are men hiding in the shop, although he is unaware that they are his clerks . Dolly arranges for Cornelius and Barnaby, who are still pretending to be rich, to take the ladies out to dinner at Harmonia Gardens to make up for their humiliation . She teaches Cornelius and Barnaby how to dance since they always have dancing at such establishments ("Dancing"). The clerks and the ladies go to watch the Fourteenth Street Association Parade together . Alone, Dolly asks her first husband Ephram's permission to marry Horace, requesting a sign . She resolves to move on with life ("Before the Parade Passes By"). After meeting an old friend, Gussie Granger (Judy Knaiz), on a float in the parade, Dolly catches up with the annoyed Vandergelder as he is marching in the parade . She tells him the heiress Ernestina Semple (changed from the stage version's Ernestina Money; also Judy Knaiz) would be perfect for him and asks him to meet her at Harmonia Gardens that evening . </P>

Who played ambrose in the film hello dolly