bye bye birdie

Like that A-Team lunchbox that begins life as a utilitarian novelty but becomes a treasured kitsch collectible, Bye Bye Birdie is much easier to appreciate 50 years after the fact. The clothes, the hair, the songs, the moves, the pop culture popularity all combine for a fabulously entertaining cumulative effect showcasing the talents of one Ann-Margret. There are other names in the cast – big ones like Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh and even Hollywood Squares regular Paul Lynde – but they are completely eclipsed by her rising star quality and schoolgirl sexuality.

Adapted from the Broadway show,