Sophia Bernitz American Popular Culture Mr.

David A Block Bye Bye Birdie The 1963 movie "Bye Bye Birdie", inspired by the musical comedy, very much represents the times of the 1960s. In the 1960s, World War II was over, and the Cold War had begun. Many people were getting drafted into the army, including the famed Elvis Presley, a worldwide adored pop singer. This specific event was what really inspired the movie. One of the main characters, Conrad Birdie, was based off of Elvis' drafting in 1957, where Birdie is also a very successful pop singer adored by millions of teen girls around the world. This role, portrayed by Jesse Pearson, was the main connection to the world of the 1960s. The war is the driving force in the movie. For example, like in the real world, all the girls in this movie are more sexually open, as all the men had gone off to war. Therefore, when Conrad Birdie was around, they were all throwing themselves at him. Also, after WWII, there was an increase in technological innovation. In the movie, Albert Peterson develops a pill that helps hens lay 3 eggs a day. This took over the old "slow pace life," and brought in a faster rate of innovation and invention. Also, the "overly sweet" ending reflects Americans' need for an idealistic world, and attempts to sooth their fears over nuclear war by giving them what they want: a sappy love story. In conclusion, Bye Bye Birdie heavily depicts the life of the

American post-war society, and appeals to the greater part of the population in the 1960s.