April Film Club Pick
🎵 “BYYYYE BYYYYE BURRRRR HEEEEE!!!!” 🎵
What does Ann-Margret have against the letter D? Maybe we'll find out this month as we take a look at the 1963 film adaptation of Bye Bye Birdie, based on the 1958 Broadway musical, in celebration of the film's 57th anniversary on April 4th, and leading lady Ann-Margret's 79th birthday on April 28th. Yes, we are aware that this makes two musical Film Club Picks in a row... But we need this right now, gosh dang it!
The musical is a satire of all things related to teen life in the 1950s and early 1960s: rock 'n' roll, Elvis, the nuclear family, the telephone, the draft, boys, girls, all manner of 'mania,' and , of course, Ed Sullivan. Along with Ann-Marget, the film stars original Broadway cast members Dick Van Dyke and Paul Lynde, as well as Janet Leigh, Maureen Stapleton, Bobby Randall, and an honest-to-goodness, real-life, one-and-only, genuine Ed Sullivan, playing himself. With a cast like that, music by Charles Strouse (composer of the 1977 musical Annie), and the premise of havoc springing from a contest in which a teen idol will bestow a kiss to one lucky girl-next-door, how can we not jump on the chance to discuss it?
What's actually most important is that we get an opportunity to talk about Dick Van Dyke as the overwhelmed songwriter Albert Peterson. Van Dyke's optimism and charm as a performer is just what we, as an audience, need right now. Like Shirley Temple, during the Great Depression, Van Dyke’s smile and talent will help get us through our current troubled times. Dick Van Dyke, unlike Shirley Temple, will forever be cherished as my first screen crush. From Mary Poppins (1964) to The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and even Diagnosis Murder (1993-2001), he has never failed to entertain and delight me with his seemingly effortless talent. So, as you can surely tell, this is going to be a nice, unbiased review on my (or maybe Sarah’s) part... But seriously, if we're being honest, Mary Poppins Returns (2018) kind of shattered my illusion that Dick is able to make any project he's involved in a masterpiece. Whatever. He's still a golden sun that burns bright in my heart. He's what it's all about. So, “Put on a Happy Face,” it’s Ann-Margret month (definitely not secret Dick Van Dyke month)!
We know these days are tough , but please join in with the fun! Seek out a copy of Bye Bye Birdie (or stream it for free on Crackle) and check back with us on the last Friday of the month for our take on all things Birdie, Dick Van Dyke, and Ann-Margret!
Copyright © 2020 Bailey Lizotte
