Yes, there is definitely a deserving cult following for the 1963 version of "Birdie", the surprise smash Broadway musical from 1960, but the changes which Columbia made were certainly jarring for those who originally saw it. Yes, Dick Van Dyke's presence was worthwhile as nobody else in 1963 could have done justice with what he had done on stage a few years ago. Like Robert Preston in "The Music Man" and Rex Harrison in "My Fair Lady", I'm sure those who turned down this part (if there were offers) indicated that they wouldn't even see the movie if Van Dyke wasn't in it. The less said about Janet Leigh replacing Chita Rivera the better.
For the T.V. movie version, the writers really took a long look at the original book of the Broadway show which hadn't been revived as of yet. Had they seen the 2009 Broadway revival, they might have reconsidered, but what didn't work back then wasn't the book, but uninspired casting and dull staging. Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams are at first an odd pairing for the roles of Albert and Rose, but they actually play really well off of each other. Alexander, a stage veteran who found fame on T.V., is quite charming in the role of the song writer whom Williams begs to leave the business to become "An English Teacher". In spite of the fact that Rose is supposed to be Hispanic, Williams is very convincing in the role. (After all, Debbie Allen too had score in another Chita Rivera Broadway role as Anita in "West Side Story", and she was obviously not Puerto Rican.) Her "Spanish Rose" is filled with the passion that Rivera exhilarated and not at all laughably unbelievable when Janet Leigh played the role.
The weakest casting comes with Chynna Phillips who is obviously way over 17, even making Ann-Margret acceptable in that part. But the emphasis is on Albert and Rose, not on Kim, Hugo and Birdie. Broadway vet Marc Kudisch had played Birdie on stage (on tour) and gives the ego-centric character a lot of humor. George Wendt makes Harry McAfee a lot more masculine and adds a different comic touch than Paul Lynde did, although Lynde's casting and personality made his moments on stage and screen truly show-stopping. (It would have been very ironic for those who were lucky enough to see Van Dyke's understudy, Charles Nelson Reilly, playing opposite Lynde.) Back in the story is the character of Gloria Rasputin (Vicki Lewis) whom Mrs. Peterson (Tyne Daly) utilizes to try and break Albert and Rose up. Daly, having won acclaim for her Mama Rose on Broadway in "Gypsy", is given a number, but it is pretty obvious that Charles Strouse and Lee Adams were forced to rush it together. Fortunately, the remainder of the original Broadway score returns, and "Put on a Happy Face" is returned to its original slot in the story, sung by Albert to a bunch of sad fans rather than made another duet for Albert and Rose. Alexander also gets "Talk to Me" back, cut from the movie, while a few new songs written for him and Williams aren't too bad. The direction is also very good, giving Gene Saks a second chance after the debacle that was the "Mame" movie.
For the T.V. movie version, the writers really took a long look at the original book of the Broadway show which hadn't been revived as of yet. Had they seen the 2009 Broadway revival, they might have reconsidered, but what didn't work back then wasn't the book, but uninspired casting and dull staging. Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams are at first an odd pairing for the roles of Albert and Rose, but they actually play really well off of each other. Alexander, a stage veteran who found fame on T.V., is quite charming in the role of the song writer whom Williams begs to leave the business to become "An English Teacher". In spite of the fact that Rose is supposed to be Hispanic, Williams is very convincing in the role. (After all, Debbie Allen too had score in another Chita Rivera Broadway role as Anita in "West Side Story", and she was obviously not Puerto Rican.) Her "Spanish Rose" is filled with the passion that Rivera exhilarated and not at all laughably unbelievable when Janet Leigh played the role.
The weakest casting comes with Chynna Phillips who is obviously way over 17, even making Ann-Margret acceptable in that part. But the emphasis is on Albert and Rose, not on Kim, Hugo and Birdie. Broadway vet Marc Kudisch had played Birdie on stage (on tour) and gives the ego-centric character a lot of humor. George Wendt makes Harry McAfee a lot more masculine and adds a different comic touch than Paul Lynde did, although Lynde's casting and personality made his moments on stage and screen truly show-stopping. (It would have been very ironic for those who were lucky enough to see Van Dyke's understudy, Charles Nelson Reilly, playing opposite Lynde.) Back in the story is the character of Gloria Rasputin (Vicki Lewis) whom Mrs. Peterson (Tyne Daly) utilizes to try and break Albert and Rose up. Daly, having won acclaim for her Mama Rose on Broadway in "Gypsy", is given a number, but it is pretty obvious that Charles Strouse and Lee Adams were forced to rush it together. Fortunately, the remainder of the original Broadway score returns, and "Put on a Happy Face" is returned to its original slot in the story, sung by Albert to a bunch of sad fans rather than made another duet for Albert and Rose. Alexander also gets "Talk to Me" back, cut from the movie, while a few new songs written for him and Williams aren't too bad. The direction is also very good, giving Gene Saks a second chance after the debacle that was the "Mame" movie.