Bye Bye Birdie

Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this fine Theatre to Film adaptation!
Review: Finally! A delightful and funny film interpretation of this excellent and very humorous Musical! Tyne Daly is brilliantly funny and the casting of Jason Alexander to the role of Albert was perfect. Also delightful was Vanessa Williams. It is clear to me that the cast had a lot of fun making this movie and it shows very well in this made for TV Version. Chyna Phillips as Kim?!? Did the casting Director pull names out of a hat? Though she tried her best and her acting was good, I just could not accept her as Kim McAffee. It certainly makes up for that abhorrent film interpretation of 1963. This includes ALL of the music, dialogue and scenes from the musical script. A highly recommended movie, especially if you are planning a HS or Community Theatre production of Bye Bye Birdie.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: I actually saw this version before I saw the 1963 version, and so I was used to the 1995 one. That said, when I saw the 1963 version, I was appalled. That scrawny teenager for the role of sex-symbol Birdie? Ann-Margaret, on the other hand, actually looked the part of a fifteen year old, as oppesed to Chynna Phillips. Tyne Daly, Vanessa Williams, George Wendt, the man who played Conrad, and the girl who played Ursula far outstripped their predecessors. Jason Alexander was a delight in playing up Albert's neurosis, but he just wasn't as delightful as Dick Van Dyke (but who is, really?). Speaking of delightful, I was pleasantly surprised to see Uncle Arthur from "Bewitched" in the first film. The story line of the 1995 version was also more coherently flowing than that of 1963. I absolutely loved the new songs, especially the one just coming into Sweet Apple, where Rosie and Albert were giving the press the "true" story of where Conrad came from. The big dance numbers were also so much better choreographed and filmed in 1995, particularly the "Goin' Steady" and "Sincere" numbers. To tell the truth, I could not watch all of the 1963 version, where I have seen the 1995 version at least 10 times.

Rating:
Summary: Better than the original!
Review: I admit that I seen this version on TV before I ever saw the original. I loved it. I thought most of the casting was perfect, George Wendt is very funny, and Jason Alexander really showed his talents. Also, Tyne Daly as the dominating mother and Vanessa Williams as the girlfriend was great. When I saw the original version on tape, I did not like it at all. What's with the Bye Bye Bird-He in the original? It sounded like they had to take a breath before the could finish it. The new version was much better with better voice casting. The original version I couldn't even finish watching and have since sold it to someone else. I'm keeping the new version!

Rating:
Summary: Bye Bye Bad Movie
Review: I have never seen a better version of Bye Bye Birdie! The cast is amazing with one exception----Chynna Philips! Jason was incredible, he left the role from Seinfeld in the dust with this movie! He was so incredible! Vanessa...well she's always great! She never ceases to amaze me! Her vocals are incredible, as are her acting and dancing skills...no one beats Vanessa at dancing! Marc was great as Conrad and George Wendt was fabulous! Tyne was wonderful and so dramatic! I'd give this the highest rating possible! Chynna isn't so much too old for Kim as she is unbelieveable...she doesn't quite portray Kim as I would've liked! But much better then the original!

Rating:
Summary: Faithful to the original show
Review: My family has been enjoying this movie (on tape) since it was first shown on TV. I know many people are attached to the Dick Van Dyke version, but this one is so much more faithful to the original Broadway show. It's full of fun and good music. The singing is great, especially the teenage girls with "Bye Bye Birdie", and the family with "Ed Sullivan". The harmonies are tight and the dancing is energetic. I was impressed with Ann Reinking's choreography. Yes, it's lighter than air, like many musicals; nothing wrong with that when it's well done. I believe this production was done with great care and portrays a more innocent time without mocking it.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and Entertaining
Review: This 1995 made for TV movie is millions of miles away from the tacky propaganda-filled 1963 film. This version follows the real story and doesn't leave out any key parts or songs. The casting was done well, especially Tyne Daly as Mae Peterson (hilarious) and the actor who plays Conrad Birdie--an amazing voice! George Wendt plays the role of Mr. MacAfee and not only can he sing but is a riot in the Ed Sullivan scene. However, Chynna Phillips is not a great choice for Kim--she looks too old, her singing voice is only so-so (Kim's songs have all been lowered an octave) and the way she interpreted the role made Kim seem snotty. One of the best scenes is when Ursula and co. are doing "Bye Bye Birdie" at the malt shop--their voices and enthusiasm are unbelievable. All in all, it's a great show, excellent viewing for anyone wanting to produce or direct the musical.

Rating:
Summary: Bye Bye Birdie- It made me "Put on a happy face!"
Review: This version of the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie is both unoriginal and an insult to the musical. I was unimpressed with Chyna Phillips as Kim Macafee, her singing was okay, but her acting was very bland. I think that Ann Margaret's performance as Kim was much more believable. Vanessa Williams did not seem to fit the role at all as Rosie, Janet Leigh did a much better job of playing that role. The singing was horrible, the acting was awful, the only reason I gave this 1 star is because Marc Kudisch's performance of Conrad Birdie was so much better than Jesse Pearson's, he really has a great singing voice and his acting was much better. Tyne Daly's performance as Mae Peterson may have been mediocre, but Maureen Stapleton pulled it off so much better. All in all this version of Bye Bye Birdie is not one that I would recommend, go buy the original, the acting is more believable, the singing is better and the actors and actresses fit the roles perfectly.

Rating:
Summary: True to the Show.
Review: Unlike the 1963 film of the same name, this 1995 made-for-television movie of the classic musical stays true to the source. The film contains just about everything from the stage musical plus three new songs. The acting is great, the songs are a blast, and the settings/scenery capture the town of Sweet Apple, Ohio perfectly.

Tyne Daly as Mae Peterson, George Wendt as Mr. McAfee, and Vanessa Williams as Rose Alvarez are perfect.Jason Alexander is a delight as Albert Peterson, but seemed to have trouble with some of the songs and I therefore liked Dick Van Dyke's Albert from the original film better. Chynna Philips, on the other hand, just doesn't seem believable as Kim: she appeared way too old and just couldn't hit the right notes of her songs. Ann-Margaret was by far the better Kim. Also, I didn't like the fact that Hugo carried a guitar around (too Conrad Birdie wannabee, which Hugo definitely is not) and the scene at the end of the play where Kim announces her engagement to Hugo was cut. Other than that, the film really has no flaws.

This version of BYE BYE BIRDIE is far superior to the original. At just around two hours, it's just like watching the play, but in your own home.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Vanessa Williams and Jason Alexander sparkle! The music is great, particularly Tyne Daly's rendition of "Mothers Aren't Important Anymore." The movie stays with the original story line, which means you get some real depth in terms of the relationship between William's and Alexander's characters. It is funny and clever. My whole family has enjoyed it for years, and still does (my children currently range in age from 14 to 24). IT SHOULD BE ON DVD!!!!!!!!