Bye Bye Birdie
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Movie Reviews of Bye Bye Birdie
Movie Review: "HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT HUGO AND KIM?"
Summary: 5 Stars
Who of us under the age of 50 hasn't had contact with that lovably cheesy, pre-Beatle '60s musical, "Bye Bye Birdie"?
I saw this when it was in the theaters- age 7 or so- and still remember listening to the soundtrack constantly on my dad's 8-track car stereo (Whoa Nellie! Now that's a Flintstone-age item!). Just last year, my niece was part of a 6th-grade "Bye Bye Birdie" production. So you can bet this show is in more minds than you think. Anyway, this is the film version most of us know and love, full of true '60s TV/movie icons, gentle early 60s-style satire, and all those songs you probably still know by heart. ("Put On A Happy Face" and "A Lot of Livin' To Do" became the semi-standards.)
"Bye Bye Birdie", of course, was a good-natured takeoff of the '50s rock n'roll scene and, in particular, Elvis-mania. While the music, by Broadway veterans Lee Adams and Charles Strouse, is hardly rock n'roll (or even Brill Building-style pop), it's still very enjoyable. I still love those energetic and clever comedy numbers: "The Telephone Hour", the ultimate teenage party line; "Hymn for Sunday Evening" ("Ed Sullivan! Ed Sullivan!"), priceless period Americana; and, best of all, "Kids", the unofficial anthem of "square" parents everywhere.
Dick Van Dyke was already a huge star thanks to his original stage role of sometime songwriter Albert Peterson and his then-new, classic TV sitcom. This and "Mary Poppins" remain his best movie performances. The late Janet Leigh, a great dramatic actress, never did another musical after this, but she's still pleasant as secretary Rosie DeLeon (firecracker Chita Rivera on stage). It's Maureen Stapleton as Albert's obsessive mom ("Wear your rubbers!"), who made a character originated by the gravelly-voiced comedienne Kaye Medford her own, who steals everything she's in. And if, like me, you still miss Paul Lynde, it's this show- stage and here- that, more than anything else, established his lifelong character. If you don't laugh when he does "Kids", call 911 immediately!
Of course, Ann-Margret and Bobby Rydell were winners (Rydell was an awfully smooth, upbeat guy), and even the little-known Jesse Pearson (never heard from again) made Conrad Birdie a likable Elvis impersonator.
To pep up the original book, Columbia brought in a real comedy-writing legend, Irving Brecher, who worked on a lot of Marx Brothers movies. If that whole subplot involving the Russian ballet was his, you've got to give him credit- between the hapless Maestro Boroff and those exhausted dancers after the fastest Tchaikovsky piece in history, it just might remind you of something like "Night At The Opera".
They just don't make musicals like this any more. The oft-witty comedy, the good-natured satire, the likable teenagers- maybe they're dated now, but thousands of school productions later, they're never out of date. This DVD's a little short on extras but the movie's still a "gas", as Ann-Margret sings in the closing number.
Finally, here's a trivia note: In an early scene in Kim's bedroom, you can clearly see a Fred Flintstone doll and a Yogi Bear comic book. Those of us who still remember Ann-Margret's animated appearance as "Ann-Margrock" (she sang a lullaby to Pebbles- come on, you do remember!) will get a boot out of it. As you will with "Bye Bye Birdie", still a chart-topper in my book!
Movie Review: A great family movie, good music, great story, just great fun
Summary: 5 Stars
From the opening scenes to the end, this is a fast moving farce that is really a fun movie, great musical with music you have heard throughout your life, but probably never knew where from.
Whats the Matter with Kids Today - what a rip with Paul Lynde with his high pitched voice singing with Dick Van Dyke and Maureen Stapleton. Also, 'Put on a Happy Face' I am sure most alive today have heard that song. One of my favorites is 'Got a Lot of Living to do'. Fast moving with a dance called the 'Birdie.'
Anne Margeret plays the main character, Kim, who is going to get the last kiss before Conrad Birdie (an Elvis type figure), leaves for the Army. Interesting that she plays across from Elvis in Viva Las Vegas later in her life. Kim is dating Hugo (Bobby Rydell). Rydell was a teen idol of sorts of his day and had hits in his life namely, 'Wild One.' Rydell is so very jealous, but yet a goofy teen who has to decide to stand by and let her get that one last kiss or to do something else, but what?
Janet Leigh, of Psycho fame plays a big part in the movie. (She is the mother of Jamie Lee Curtis.) Leigh was quite famous in her day and Birdie was a welcome up tick after her fame with Psycho.
The cool thing about this movie is there is not one relationship involved in the plot there are two. Kim and Hugo and Albert and Rosie (van Dyke and Leigh). Juxtaposed against each other, you see that age has nothing to do with romantic difficulty and confusion.
This is one of the fun movies of the '60s, relatively clean fun, a few areas that may have been touchy at the time, but it was just before the hippy era that changed our world. There are few things to watch for, this movie was done in the summer before JFK's assassination, he is mentioned in the movie or referred to 'the President says we should drink more milk...' and something interesting is shown. Toward the end we see the Russians, a rather large orchestra and you see the man in charge of orchestra hitting himself in the head with his shoe, ala Kruschev doing the same at the UN.
Also, the scene with Birdie being on 'Ed Sullivan' predates the appearance of the Beattles on that same show, and, the girls go wild with the Beattles as they did with Birdie in the movie, who would have thought the genius in predicting that behavior?
There is so much to this movie. Fun cast, great music, seriously funny interplay of characters and story. One last comment, the scene where Birdie is introduced in the town is classic, he goes around the square singing with gusto, if you look closely you will notice it is the same set where square used in 'Back to the Future.'
Bye Bye Birdie is a must for any family DVD/HiDef Library.
Movie Review: How could you not like this movie!?!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Bye Bye Birdie" is a classic and refreshing fun movie for all ages. I am only a 14 year old male, but I have amazing respect and love for this movie. Most of you knocking the movie are probally teens also, and probally have just seen the movie recently. I was in LOVE with this movie when i was about 5 years old all the way untill now! The movie was my absolute favorite when I was very young, I can't remember how was introduced to the movie, but I was crazy over it, and my parent's bought me the laserdisk, and just this Christmas they got me the DVD! The movie is such a fabolous fun movie. I remember how much I loved the intro to this movie, with Ann-Margret singing the amazing title track "Bye Bye Birdie". I was always amazed with her Intro and Outro of this movie. I understand the movie is different from the play, and I know thats why most of you don't like the movie. I am also very big into drama and theather, but I have yet to be in a production or seen a production of "Bye Bye Birdie". A local High School around here is doing "Bye Bye Birdie" this spring, which I will love to see. My High school is putting on "The King And I" this spring, which is going to be fabolous, I will be in it. But back to "Bye Bye Birdie"....I feel this movie is just so refreshing, when I am in a bad mood, this movie can definetly make me feel better, the songs are fun and happy, the acting is also great. Ann-Margret's performance was just absolutely outstanding, and Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, and Maureen Stapleton were also fabolous. If I ever have a chance to be in a production of "Bye Bye Birdie", my dream role would be Albert, Dick Van Dyke's part, I would love to play that part. So, I just wanted to say, I am sick of seeing so many people knock this wonderful movie, and I know some of you are probally around my age, and just recently saw it. Like I said before, I have so much respect for this movie, because I've loved it since i was so young, And I know some of you might be shocked, because I am so young, and was not even alive in 1963, and I love this movie so much.
The DVD is great, and has some great features, So I suggest you check it out!
Movie Review: Ann-Margret Steals The Show In A Fabulous Early '60s Musical
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who lived through the early years of rock and roll knows and loves this musical based on Elvis Presley's drafting into the army in 1958. Unfortunately, I wasn't alive then, but I have learned so much about it I might as well have been. For years, I have always wanted to see "Bye Bye Birdie", but until tonight could never find a copy of it. Well, I finally found it at a local store, and boy was I missing out.
The main characters of this film are songwriter Albert (Dick Van Dyke) and his fiancee Rosie (Janet Leigh). When popular rock star Conrad Birdie (Jessie Pearson) is drafted into the army, Albert wants the singer to record one of his songs before he joins the army. Rosie comes up with an ingenius idea: she will get Ed Sullivan (playing himself) to book Conrad on his show, have him sing Albert's song, and then Birdie will give a farewell kiss to one lucky fan selcted by Rosie. That fan happens to be Kim McAfee (Ann-Margret), a 15 year old Ohio resident who is ecstatic over the news, much to the dismay of her father (a hilarious Paul Lynde) and her new boyfriend Hugo (Bobby Rydell). Despite these hurdles, Kim does not let anything stand in her way. However, things soon go horribly (and often hilariously) wrong, and it looks as if this lively bunch of characters' dreams have been shattered. Can the day be saved. You just have to watch and find out.
Well, everyone, this film is a classic. The songs (including classics like "Put On A Happy Face", "Kids" and "A Lot Of Livin' To Do") are excellent, the storyline is well written and the cast is great. But for all the great performances in this film, it's Ann-Margret who steals the show and runs with it. Everyone involved with the movie knew they had a hot commodity on their hands, and it makes sense Ann gets all the best scenes. She dances and sings like a pro, and looks gorgeous while doing so. She is, after all, one of (if not the) most beautiful actresses to ever grace the silver screen.
"Bye Bye Birdie" is a worthwhile viewing experience for anyone who enjoys great movies. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: I LOVE This Musical!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I actually played "Kim" in my middle schools rendition of Bye Bye birdie, and since then, this has been my absolute favorite musical of all time - I'm sure this is partly due to my great memories of being in this play, but regardless of that, the songs are great and I love the story line.
Bye Bye Birdie is about an Elvis-type guy who has just got word that he's being drafted into the army. Because of his popularity as a singer, they decide to run a contest where 1 lucky girl will be chosen to have "one last kiss" with him. Kim wins the contest, and will be given her kiss live on the Ed Sulliven Show (a show that was really popular in the 1950's).
Much of the story surrounds the excitement about Kim winning the contest & the fact that her father and boyfriend don't want the kiss to happen. Will they be able to stop it?
Then there's "Albert" played by Dick Van Dyke - an on & off again songwriter, and his girlfriend "Rosie" who wants nothing more than for Albert to propose to her. Unfortunately, Albert is such a "mommas boy" that he can't seem to make any decisions for himself, and his mother is not about to suggest that he get married and leave her all alone! Will he ever step up and pop the question?
Overall, I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys musicals. It will remind you of a much simpler time - with the music and outfits in classic 1950's style. A great movie for "family night"!