Bye Bye Birdie is an enjoyable, high-energy musical which has been given a gorgeous high-definition transfer and is now available in a limited edition Blu-ray release by Twilight Time. Not the least of its appealing qualities is a breakthrough, very sexy performance by Ann-Margret. The film is based upon a hit Broadway musical of the same name which opened in 1960. It successfully spoofs the teen idol phenomenon, the often strained relationships between teenagers and their parents, and even the Cold War.
Bye Bye Birdie
Studio: Twilight Time
Year: 1963
Rated: G
Program Length: 112 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 1080p
Languages: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA
Subtitles: English SDH
The Program
Bye Bye Birdie is an enjoyable, high-energy musical which has been given a gorgeous high-definition transfer and is now available in a limited edition Blu-ray release by Twilight Time. Not the least of its appealing qualities is a breakthrough, very sexy performance by Ann-Margret. The film is based upon a hit Broadway musical of the same name which opened in 1960. It successfully spoofs the teen idol phenomenon, the often strained relationships between teenagers and their parents, and even the Cold War.
Although the Broadway musical focused primarily on the adults, the film opens with a seductive and compelling solo singing performance by high school student Kim McAfee (Ann-Margret), who is lamenting the fact that heartthrob singer Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson) has been drafted into the U.S. Army. This number, which was not part of the Broadway show and was written especially for the film, sends a message that Bye Bye Birdie is going to be Ann-Margret's film, notwithstanding the appearance of many other fine actors.
The fact that Conrad Birdie has been drafted is devastating news to teenage girls everywhere, but no one is more disappointed than New York City songwriter Albert Peterson (Dick Van Dyke). Albert, who has been down on his luck, has written a song which he has been hoping to have Conrad record, but it now is apparent that Conrad will not be seeing a recording studio anytime soon. Albert's accountant gives him the bad news that he is broke, and the songwriter fears that his secretary/girlfriend, Rosie DeLeon (Janet Leigh), is going to leave him for a new job. Albert and Rosie have been dating for six years, but a wedding does not appear to be in the cards because Albert is domineered by his widowed mother, Mae (Maureen Stapleton).
However, Rosie has no intention of leaving Albert. In fact, she has gone to see television show host Ed Sullivan with an idea. Why not give Conrad Birdie a chance to say goodbye to all of his female fans on Sullivan's show? Rosie's pitch is that she will pick out a Midwestern member of Conrad's fan club to appear on the program. Conrad will then kiss her farewell on live television, a symbolic smooch for all of his female fans who are watching. This appearance also will boost Albert's fortunes, because Sullivan agrees to let him write a new song for Conrad to sing on the show.
Kim is thrilled when she learns that she has been chosen, but her father Harry (Paul Lynde) is skeptical. Even more dubious is Kim's boyfriend, Hugo Peabody (teen idol Bobby Rydell in his first film role), who has just pinned Kim and does not like the idea of her being kissed by another man. Arrangements are made to have a remote feed from Kim's hometown in Ohio, but the plans are thrown into question when Conrad and his entourage make an audacious entrance which shocks and scandalizes the town's leading citizens.
Bye Bye Birdie features a number of well-known songs which were written for the show by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams. Among them are "Put on a Happy Face" (sung by Van Dyke and Leigh); "Kids" (sung by Van Dyke, Lynde, Stapleton, and Bryan Russell, who plays Kim's young brother); and "A Lot of Living to Do" (sung by Ann-Margret, Rydell, and Pearson). The film also includes some well-executed dance numbers, including one in which Janet Leigh hoofs it in a meeting room populated by fez-adorned Shriners.
The film is expertly directed by veteran director George Sidney (Pal Joey, Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate, Viva Las Vegas, etc.). Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh are excellent in their roles, but Paul Lynde really stands out as the amusingly neurotic father of Kim. Bobby Rydell is only adequate as Hugo, although he does demonstrate some surprising talent as a dancer. Jesse Pearson is fine as Conrad, and why he did not go on to have a more successful career is something of a mystery (before he died of cancer at the age of 49 he directed two hard-core adult films). The undeniable star of Bye Bye Birdie is Ann-Margret. Sure, she does not look like a high school student (she was a few weeks shy of her 22nd birthday when the film was released), but who cares?). She manages to simultaneously project innocence and irresistible sexuality, all within the confines of a G rating (obviously, the film was not rated upon its release - I assume that the G rating was given upon a re-release).
The Broadway musical was inspired by the induction of Elvis Presley into the Army in 1958. By the time the film was released in the spring of 1963, the rock 'n' roll scene was undergoing profound changes. The Beatles had already begun their string of chart-topping singles in the U.K. and in less than a year they would be appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show while largely supplanting American teen idols on the Billboard charts. Nevertheless, even today Bye Bye Birdie does not feel like an anachronism, although younger audiences may be puzzled by the mocking of Russians. The film is a lot of fun, it has more than few catchy tunes and impressive production numbers, features an outstanding cast, and includes an eye-catching, memorable performance by Ann-Margret.
All Twilight Time releases are limited to a run of 3,000 copies. The Blu-ray disc of Bye Bye Birdie can be ordered directly from Twilight Time while copies last.
The Video
The 2.35:1 1080p Blu-ray presentation of the Panavision image is nothing short of spectacular. The picture is consistently sharp and the bright, vivid colors almost leap off the screen. I saw no evidence of dirt or damage. As is typically the case with Sony titles, Bye Bye Birdie has retained an appropriate level of film grain and is free of excessive DNR and other digital anomalies. The framing appears to be accurate. Contrast is strong, black levels are solid, and shadow detail is excellent. Many viewers will recognize that much of the filming was done on Universal's lot. I do not have the 1999 DVD available to direct comparison, but I cannot imagine that it looks nearly as good as this Blu-ray.
The Audio
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack does a wonderful job of reproducing the lively soundtrack. The musical numbers are given a wide and very pleasing soundstage and the soundtrack is free of distortion. Dialogue is clear and always understandable. English SDH subtitles are available.
The Supplements
As is usual with Twilight Time titles, the extras for Bye Bye Birdie are limited. We have the original theatrical trailer, which is in very good shape, and a teaser trailer which focuses exclusively upon Ann-Margret.
The only other special feature is the isolated score track. It is not all music, however. The isolated track includes sound effects such as footsteps, crowd noise, traffic, etc.
The Packaging
The single disc is packaged in a standard Blu-ray keep case. Included is an informative, colorful booklet written by the always reliable Julie Kirgo. She notes that both Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh were unhappy with director Sidney's decision to de-emphasize the roles of the adults in the film.
The Final Analysis
Bye Bye Birdie is a highly entertaining musical which has been give first-rate Blu-ray treatment by Sony and Twilight Time. Fans of the film should have no reservations about picking up this release.
Equipment used for this review:
Panasonic DMP-BD50 Blu-ray player
Panasonic Viera TC-P46G15 Plasma display, calibrated to THX specification by Gregg Loewen
Yamaha HTR-5890 THX Surround Receiver
BIC Acoustech speakers
Interconnects: Monster Cable
Release Date: August 14, 2012