Bye Bye Birdie

SYNOPSIS

A wonderfully energetic and colourful adaptation of the smash Broadway hit, satirising the traumatic induction of one Elvis Presley into the US Army. Named Conrad Birdie here (a reference to contemporary country and western star Conway Twitty), this focuses on the legendary rocker bestowing "one last kiss" on a small-town girl, a gimmick started by the star's promoter, played by Dick Van Dyke re-creating his Broadway role. Splendid stuff and, although the satire has dated, the sheer exuberance of veteran Anchors Aweigh director George Sidney's guiding hand endures, as does the talent of vivacious Ann-Margret, who gets a specially written musical prologue. Lots of laughs along the way, especially from stage star Paul Lynde. Ironically, the "we love you, Conrad" chorus was later used to hail the Beatles.