In the United States, Fathom Entertainment is inviting fans of Dick Van Dyke to celebrate his 100th birthday in theatres. Whether other distributors follow suit remains to be seen, but I’ll be lighting a candle on December 13 to honour this extraordinary performer’s legacy and perhaps belt out Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for good measure.
It still amazes me that he has the drive to keep acting. From the agile young man who could take a pratfall with grace, to the dancer, to the unexpected villain in Night at the Museum, he’s played every type of character under the sun. His charm and the way he entertained me during my younger years has never left me. His influences were obvious, especially the silent film legends like Laurel and Hardy along with Buster Keaton, and that timeless physicality shaped so much of what he brought to the screen.
I will have to mark the occasion with a mini-marathon of what I consider his finest work (see below for my top five favourites). Part of his enduring importance comes from how perfectly he embodied that old-school Disney style: family-friendly, joyful entertainment that didn’t need a higher purpose to win hearts. These days that studio is run by executives; back then, I imagine him having a grand time alongside Walt himself.
In an interview with Parade.com, he reflected on the legacy of his most famous work: “For as long as children are proudly belting out their new word, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, or singing and skipping along to ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee,’ the most important part of me will always be alive.” It’s lovely, and entirely true.
According to the official release, the screening will include rare behind-the-scenes stories, never-before-seen moments, and classic clips from The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and more. Beloved co-stars and friends—Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Chita Rivera, Michele Lee, Tim Conway, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Betty White, and Derek Hough—share their memories and anecdotes. Van Dyke himself offers stories he’s waited a century to tell.
If this feels like a documentary crafted especially for the celebration, I hope it gets a streaming release. It wouldn’t be fair to keep something like this locked away after the special screening. And for those who don’t live in the States, there’s his autobiography, 100 Rules for Living to 100, which is likely to capture the spirit of this tribute. That’s definitely going on my Amazon list on what to buy next.
Top Five Favourite Dick Van Dyke Works
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