Year: 1963
Director: George Sidney
Country: US
Language: English
Throughout the 1950's and 1960's Elvis Presley was a pretty big deal. He had a unique look that evoked the anti-establishment attitudes at the time. His provocative performance style and racial blending of influences proved to be pretty controversial. Bye Bye Birdie is essentially a satire of the crazed fandom that would follow the iconic singer; it's key plot point was inspired by the real-life military drafting of Elvis Presley in December 1957.
In this film, which is an adaptation of the stage musical by the same name, A rock singer travels to a small Ohio town to make his "farewell" television performance and kiss his biggest fan before he is drafted.
The concept of fans being sent into complete euphoria when confronted by pop idols was, by the time Bye Bye Birdie hit cinemas, not really a new source of perplexed amusement for filmmakers. Directors like Frank Tashlin and Charlie Chaplin had made fun of these people long before this picture. While not unique in this respect, Bye Bye Birdie does satire in an exuberant jazzy way that you can't help but sing along with.
Bye Bye Birdie is a light picture, even if you compare it to The Sound of Music. Typical of an early 60's Hollywood production (this was made before the renaissance that was New Hollywood) everything turns out for the best and we don't dive too far into the generation dysfunction that is sprinkled throughout the film. Albeit we do get "Kids" which is a great musical song in its own right.
The remarkable Dick Van Dyke made a striking film debut with Bye Bye Birdie, and “Put on a Happy Face” remains one of his trademarks. Psycho star Janet Leigh nearly steals the picture with her performance, as does Anne-Margret. The film is packed with elaborate set pieces, and director George Sidney makes the most of his production resources. Even though it's subjects and themes are not particular "new" to cinema, you'll still fall in love with Bye Bye Birdie
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