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Inspired by Elvis Presley’s draft into the army, this musical tells the story of teenage heartthrob Conrad Birdie and struggling songwriter Albert Peterson, who’s devastated when the song he’s certain will be a hit won’t be recorded because Birdie is going into the service. To save his fledgling business, Albert, along with his girlfriend Rosie, drum up a plan to have Birdie perform a new song on tv in front of an adoring fan selected through a contest.
Ann Margret stars as Kim McAfee, the adoring fan and establishes herself as a Hollywood sex symbol. Dick Van Dyke and Paul Lynde reprise their Broadway roles as Albert Peterson and Henry McAfee, Kim’s Father. 1950s teen idol Bobby Rydel shows off his voice as Kim’s boyfriend and Ed Sullivan plays himself. The coveted role of Birdie went to Jesse Pearson after Presley’s agent Tom Parker wouldn’t let him play the role. Janet Leigh is Rosie, Albert’s girlfriend. Maureen Stapleton, who was only 6 months older than Van Dyke, plays his mother.
Enjoy hit songs including, “Kids,” “One Boy,” “We Love You Conrad” and “The Telephone Hour.” When this film opened in 1963 it broke box office records in New York and Los Angeles, ultimately becoming the 13th highest grossing movie of the year.
Part of the Bethel Health Care & The Cascades Assisted Living Silver Cinema Series