To celebrate the December 13 100th birthday of stage and screen star Dick Van Dyke, Fathom Entertainment will release Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration nationwide December 13-14.
The feature-length film event from Emmy-winning filmmakers Steve Boettcher and Michael Trinklein will honor the career of the actor, singer, dancer, and comedian, weaving together classic TV and film clips, interviews with Van Dyke and his co-stars, and a visit with the star to his hometown of Danville, Illinois.
The film features interviews conducted by the filmmakers over 30 years with Van Dyke and his colleagues, including Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Betty White, and Tim Conway. Artists from across generations also reflect on his versatile talent: Chita Rivera, in one of her final interviews, recalls Van Dyke’s Tony-winning breakout role in Bye Bye Birdie; his The Comic co-star, Michele Lee, praises his dramatic turn in the film; and Derek Hough, who choreographed his Kennedy Center Honors tribute, shares how Van Dyke’s joyful, physical style continues to inspire new generations of performers. Additional insights are also offered by producer/director Richard Jay-Alexander and entertainment journalist Gino Salomone.
“This film has been a labor of love for more than 30 years,” says executive producer and director Boettcher in a statement. “We’ve spent decades interviewing Mr. Van Dyke and his friends and co-stars, capturing the moments and memories that define his incredible journey. From Broadway to Hollywood to his touching return to Danville, the film is a living tribute to one of the greatest entertainers in history—a man whose career has spanned more than 80 years and who’s still going strong! It’s a joyful celebration of a truly extraordinary life.”
“Dick Van Dyke is a beloved cultural icon and a once-in-a-generation talent that lit up the screen and brought smiles to the faces of millions across generations,” adds Fathom CEO Ray Nutt. “Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration is an experience on the big screen that celebrates the joy, talent, and timeless spirit of an American entertainment legend. Now, as he turns 100, fans have the opportunity to come together in theatres across the country to celebrate this beloved gifted performer.”
The film features clips from Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Diagnosis Murder, Van Dyke's Emmy-winning variety show, Mary Poppins Returns, Night at the Museum, and more.
Bye Bye Birdie Tony winner Van Dyke was nominated for a Golden Globe for creating the role of chimney
sweep Bert opposite Oscar winner Julie Andrews in the 1964 film Mary Poppins. The veteran actor has starred in several TV series, including The Dick Van Dyke Show, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Van Dyke and Company, and Diagnosis Murder. He has also been seen on the silver screen in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins Returns, and Dick Tracy, and his theatrical credits also include The Girls Against the Boys and The Music Man.
Tickets for Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration will be available beginning October 31 at FathomEntertainment.com.
