Classic Film Friday: Bye Bye Birdie

This is the fun loving, early 60's version of satire of the time. Birdie is an Elvis of sorts with girls screaming, boys hating and parents just in disgusts. His draft number is pulled, and Janet Leigh (Rosie) and Dick Van Dyke (Albert) hatch a plan to get him to do a song on Ed Sullivan just before he goes off to the military.

This movie is a musical, and a bit of drama and comedy. It really has something for everyone.



Albert is a down on his luck song writer, Rosie is his secretary/lover. They plan to get Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson) to sing one of his songs, make a bunch of money, and live happily ever after. Add to that they have a random girl selected Kim McAfee (Ann-Margret) to receive a kiss from Conrad Birdie and it just makes it all the more funny.

Paul Lynde (from Bewitched fame, think Uncle Arthur) plays Harry McAfee Kim's dad and I just love him. He was gay, even if you didn't know it. Anyway there are two couples Albert and Rosie and Kim and Hugo (Bobby Rydell). And their relationships somewhat mirror each other... In a Love Boat kind of way. Yes it is campy, and a bit silly, and you know what is going happen, but if you want reality you could look at retirement funds. Too scary? Yeah I like Love Boat myself.