Directed by:
George SidneyScreenplay:
Irving BrecherCinematography:
Joseph F. BirocComposer:
Johnny GreenCast:
Janet Leigh, Dick Van Dyke, Ann-Margret, Maureen Stapleton, Bobby Rydell, Paul Lynde, Robert Paige, Bryan Russell, Ed Sullivan, Kim Darby, Mary LaRoche (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
This entertaining musical, based on the Broadway hit inspired by the hysteria surrounding Elvis Presley's induction into the army, traces the shock waves a drafted rock & roll star, Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson), creates when he comes to a small town to kiss adoring fan Kim McAfee (Ann-Margret) good-bye on national TV. A fiesty secretary, Rosie DeLeon (Janet Leigh), has put the whole plan in motion, hoping that Birdie will sing a song composed by her beau, Albert Peterson (Dick Van Dyke), enabling Rosie's boyfriend to finally break free of his domineering mother (Maureen Stapleton) and marry her. Meanwhile, Kim's new steady, Hugo (Bobby Rydell), is less than pleased about the spotlighted embrace, as are her parents (Paul Lynde and Mary LaRoche)--at least until they get in on the action too. Ed Sullivan appears as himself, Ann-Margret is her usual perky, gyrating self, Van Dyke amply displays his wealth of talents, and Lynde and Stapleton nearly steal the whole production with their hilarious supporting roles. Director George Sidney, who would soon collaborate with the real King in the Presley tour de force VIVA LAS VEGAS, tightens the Broadway original without losing any of its verve and charm to create a rollicking uptempo joyride through a candy-colored early 1960s pop-culture landscape. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Joe Gray
USA
Best movies:
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Ace in the Hole (1951)
Jesse Pearson
USA
Best movies:
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
The Norseman (1978) - narrator
Evelyn Rudie
USA
Best movies:
Spartacus (1960)
The King and I (1956)
Daddy Long Legs (1955)
Lee Aaker
USA
Best movies:
Ride Clear of Diablo (1954)
High Noon (1952)
Hondo (1953)
Melody Patterson
USA
Best movies:
Blood and Lace (1971)
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
Steve Carruthers
USA
Best movies:
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
North by Northwest (1959)
Richard LaMarr
Italy
Best movies:
Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
White Heat (1949)
Babette Bain
Best movies:
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Artists and Models (1955)
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
Lorene Yarnell Jansson
USA
Best movies:
Spaceballs (1987)
Sweet Charity (1969)
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
Gil Lamb
USA
Best movies:
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
The Gnome-Mobile (1967)
Terror in a Texas Town (1958)
Gregory Morton
USA
Best movies:
Producers' Showcase (1954) (series)
Counterpoint (1967)
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
Donald Lawton
Russian Empire
Best movies:
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Bedtime Story (1964)
Funny Face (1957)
Tony Regan
USA
Best movies:
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
The Apartment (1960)
What's Up, Doc? (1972)
Clyde Howdy
USA
Best movies:
My Fair Lady (1964)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
The Chase (1966)
Ben Astar
Palestine
Best movies:
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
The Story of Ruth (1960)
The Honeymoon Machine (1961)
Linda Henning
USA
Best movies:
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
Nancy Spry
Best movies:
Bye Bye Birdie (1963)