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Movie theaters across the country are pulling out the stops for Dick Van Dyke\u2019s 100th birthday in December. A new documentary about the song and dance man\u2019s life, \u201cDick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration,\u201d will be in theaters over his birthday weekend on Dec. 13 and 14, Fathom Entertainment said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful; a total surprise for me,\u201d Van Dyke said in an email to The Associated Press. \u201cIf you don\u2019t think luck has a lot to do with it, then you\u2019re mistaken.\u201d<\/p>\n
The feature length film has been in the works for over three decades. In telling the story of Van Dyke\u2019s 80-plus years in entertainment, the film weaves together clips from classic films, like \u201cMary Poppins,\u201d \u201cChitty Chitty Bang Bang\u201d and \u201cBye Bye Birdie,\u201d and television shows, including \u201cThe Dick Van Dyke Show\u201d and \u201cDiagnosis: Murder,\u201d as well as new interviews with Van Dyke in which he shares never-before-heard stories from his time in Hollywood.<\/p>\n
The portrait is bookended with a visit to his hometown of Danville, Illinois, where he visits his childhood home, the radio station where he started his career as a DJ at age 16 and his old high school where he took the stage once more to join in with the students performing songs from some of his most beloved films.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe couldn\u2019t help himself,\u201d filmmaker Steve Boettcher said. \u201cHe got out of the seat and went up on stage and sang and danced with them. It\u2019s really a sweet coming home. Danville built him in so many ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the past 30 years, Boettcher also spoke many of his closest Hollywood friends and collaborators including Mary Tyler Moore,Carl Reiner,Rose Marie,Morey Amsterdam,Betty White,Tim Conway and Chita Rivera, all of whom have since died.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just wanted people who were there at the scene, on set with him and working with him,\u201d Boettcher said.<\/p>\n
The filmmakers didn\u2019t plan on waiting for Van Dyke\u2019s 100th birthday to release the film, but when the landmark moment started coming into focus it seemed fitting for a rollout.<\/p>\n
\u201cDick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration\u201d will have its premiere in early December at Danville\u2019s Fischer Theatre, where Van Dyke fell in love with the movies and the idea of being an entertainer watching Laurel and Hardy on the big screen on Saturdays.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really excited about the film,\u201d Boettcher said. \u201cIt\u2019s very much in the style of Dick Van Dyke. It\u2019s got laughter and music and touching moments. It\u2019s pure entertainment, much like Mr. Van Dyke.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tickets for \u201cDick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration\u201d go on sale Oct. 31.<\/p>\n
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