SONNYK_USA Review of Bye Bye Birdie

Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

New 35mm print looks brings back "Bye Bye Birdie's" widescreen glory ...

[7/10 · 9 August 2004]

When Ann-Margret opens the film singing 'Bye bye Birdie' against a brightly colored backdrop you immediately feel yourself sucked back to a time when rock idols made their fans faint from excitement - literally! Although musical theater connoisseurs might argue about the cuts and changes made from the original play, what they can't argue is that this movie is what rock'n'roll movies are all about - lots of delirious FUN!!! Certainly, a widescreen classic like this is worthy of a wider re-release to theaters around the country, if only to see the extravagant production numbers in all their big screen glory. Of special note is Jesse Pearson's hip-swinging 'rock' idol 'Conrad Birdie', who first causes an entire town to swoon with "Honestly Sincerely," and then rocks the local juke joint with "Got a Lot of Livin' to do," which then spins off into multiple musical and dance directions. The artistic design is full of bright, primary colors that pop off the screen and make this a dazzling visual treat throughout. I do agree with naysayers that the whole 'speed-up' sequence at the end of the film is not only a disservice to the original story, but it also promotes the use of amphetamines (guess they didn't have any Nancy Reagans back then?). All in all, not perfect as movie musicals go, but a cinematic highlight if you are into rock'n'roll movies that send up the whole 'Elvis' myth in a comical way. Paul Lynde steals the show as a fertilizer salesman who must be swayed to let his daughter (Ann-Margret) kiss 'Birdie' on the Ed Sullivan show (and the REAL Ed Sullivan has a cameo too!). If you have a revival cinema or a local college with widescreen capabilities, tell them to give this new 35mm print a screening - looks FANTASTIC!!!