Guest Star

Bobby Rydell

Editor's NOTE: Our guest star columnist for this issue is the popular recording artist soon to be seen as the star of "Bye Bye Birdie," his first movie role. Here he tells of some of his experiences and plans for the future.

This has undoubtedly been the happiest year of my life. I'll admit that it's also been the busiest year, and at times it's even been a little hectic. But I think you'll agree that nothing is more rewarding or more satisfying than working at something you love. And I love show business.

Perhaps the biggest thrill of the year came when I was told that I had been chosen for a part in a movie for Columbia Pictures. I had the role of Hugo (the boyfriend for the girl who wins a day with Birdie) in the musical "Bye Bye Birdie." This was my very first attempt at acting, and I couldn't help being overjoyed at the thought of working with a movie great like Rudy Vallee, and lovely Ann-Margret, whose movie magic I had seen on display before. I just couldn't imagine my goony face in Technicolor.

Then all at once it hit me, like a ton of bricks -- the realization of how big a responsibility this really was. I thought of my fans, many of you who are reading this now, who had supported my recording career so loyally. I knew I couldn't let them down. For a moment I was panic-stricken. Quickly I began losing self-confidence. Then I remembered something my dad had said to me when I decided to make show business my career.

"Bobby," he told me, "success comes when preparedness meets opportunity." I thought of how true his words really were. I realized that my role in "Birdie" would be a test of my ability but even more important than this, it was a challenge. I began to laugh at myself when I remembered experiencing the same feeling before, when I cut my first big record, and at my night club debut. I had waited a long time for this opportunity, and here I was worrying when I should have been brushing up on my "How now browns cows..."

Well, the movie's over, and guess what! I'm still alive! Seriously, it was a combination of lots of hard work, fun, excitement, surprises, and many new experiences. For instance, I was fascinated with the work of the cameramen. This is something I had never noticed before, so I decided to do a little reading on the subject. I'm now a first class, number one, full fledged camera bug.

When you co-star with someone in a movie you can't help but become good friends, and Ann-Margret and I are no exception. I had more fun making her laugh with my impersonations of the great Frank Fontaine. In return, she taught me how to dance! I never thought I'd be able to move those two left feet of mine, but before I knew it, I was dancing away with the rest of the cast. It's up to you to decide whether the movie is good or not, but you can be sure it was put together with a lot of hard work and love.

Where do I go from here? Well, I'm working on a new album, and I'll have a new record out soon. I'm revamping my night club act and I'll soon be opening in clubs around the country. I'm looking forward to my next movie and the day I'm as well-rounded a performer as Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra.