Van Dyke the actor

[Ed Roach]

I know there has been some discussion here before about Van Dyke Parks acting in films, but this was a new one for me...  I woke a little before 4am this morn, (as geezers often do), and turned the tv on.  It was turned to Turner Classic Movies, and I had to rub my eyes when I saw Van's name as the 2nd. credit on a film called "A Gift for Heidi", from 1958!  I knew he'd done some acting when he was young, and loved seeing him pop up in later years in things like "The Two Jakes".  But somehow I'd never realized how much film & television acting he'd one in the fifties: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0663026/  He didn't do anything on screen again, (other than cameos in Beach Boy things), until the eighties.  And he also just celebrated a birthday two days ago; here's to many more, Van!

[dogear]

Happy Birthday VDP!

[Paulos]

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that Van Dyke auditioned for The Monkees, does anyone know if there is any truth to this? I think he would've been great as a Monkee!

[hypehat]

I read that Harry Nilsson did too, which is strange seeing as the two became great friends later in life....

[Ed Roach]

I was going to say that it's quite possibly one of those urban myths, like all of the people who were supposed to be up at Sharon Tate's house that night...  Then I remembered Charlie was supposed to have auditioned for them too, and here's what I found, regarding The Monkee's:
Dailey Variety ran an ad, on September 8, 1965, for "Folk & Rock Musicians-Singers" and "4 Insane Boys, Age 17-21" for "Acting Roles in a New TV Series."  Four hundred and thirty-seven hopefuls auditioned....
...Since Manson was in prison between 1961 and 1967, he could not possibly have attended auditions...
.....and the story meshed with those of several other unknowns who failed to make the cut for the Monkees but later achieved fame on their own (e.g., Paul Williams, Danny Hutton, and Stephen Stills).
I'm sure we'll hear more on this from 'those that know' - or at least have some thoughts.

[PS]

I know there has been some discussion here before about Van Dyke Parks acting in films, but this was a new one for me...  I woke a little before 4am this morn, (as geezers often do), and turned the tv on.  It was turned to Turner Classic Movies, and I had to rub my eyes when I saw Van's name as the 2nd. credit on a film called "A Gift for Heidi", from 1958!  I knew he'd done some acting when he was young, and loved seeing him pop up in later years in things like "The Two Jakes".  But somehow I'd never realized how much film & television acting he'd one in the fifties: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0663026/  He didn't do anything on screen again, (other than cameos in Beach Boy things), until the eighties.  And he also just celebrated a birthday two days ago; here's to many more, Van!

Ed, I watched the same film last night - my eyebrows were raised in Spock disbelief when I saw Comcast advertising "starring Van Dyke Parks" on the menu, so I had to stay up and check it out -  how utterly charming to see him as the "earnest kid" amidst the "alps" - clearly out of his (southern) element. Speaking of VDP and film, I am very fond of his soundtrack to WILD BILL (which was a hard CD to track down) and I think he did Nicholson's Goin' South as well (and does he show up in that one too?)

[Andrew G. Doe]

Apparently Stills failed the cut because of his teeth, so he recommended a friend of his, one Peter Thorkelson.

[Dr. Tim]

Saw Mr. Thorkelson hisself last month playing locally (that's Peter Tork to the uninitiated).  He's had a bout with a benign but annoying mouth/throat cancer of some sort (he blogs about it himself), but was looking and sounding just fine for a guy his age.  Had a very tight blues outfit with him, they mostly did a blues-ish R&B show, plus a few Monkees chestnuts for us oldsters.  I respected that he did "Last Train To Clarksville" like a shuffle boogie, it worked that way.

[Dove Nested Towers]

I think he also did soundtracks for "Newsies" and "The Brave Little Toaster" (animated) among many others. Prolific fellow. Many Happy Returns, VDP!

[TdHabib]

He was also involved in Popeye: Van Dyke Parks, (a definitely four-sheets-to-the-wind) Nilsson, Robin Williams and Robert Altman...had to have been a fun shoot.

[Manchini]

I think he also did soundtracks for "Newsies" and "The Brave Little Toaster" (animated) among many others. Prolific fellow. Many Happy Returns, VDP!

Alan Menken did the music for The Newsies (great movie and great music) though that just makes me think about how perfect Van Dyke Parks would've been for that job.

[bgas]

Don't want to forget the soundtracks he did for Casual Sex? from 1988 and Cheapeake Borne from 1984. 

[jimmyboy]

He is appearing at a club a few blocks from my place here in San Francisco soon. Anybody know what I might be in for?

[bgas]

He is appearing at a club a few blocks from my place here in San Francisco soon. Anybody know what I might be in for?

Damn!  Wish he was coming here.

[urbanite]

For a second I thought you were referring to a real actor, the great Dick Van Dyke.

[GLarson432]

Peter Tork was among the people by the Santa Monica Pier during either the 2000 or (I really think it was) 2001 Carl Wilson Walks/events.  People knew who he was but it was no big deal.  He wasn't bothered for autographs or anything.  He was just there on the beach like everyone else.

Celebrating Carl Wilson!

[Christian]

He is appearing at a club a few blocks from my place here in San Francisco soon. Anybody know what I might be in for?

He´ll do a couple of concerts with Clare and the Reasons.

"Join us on one of these special evenings of music. It's a great honor for us to be playing these shows with Van Dyke Parks, we'll play a set, then Van Dyke Parks will play a set of his own resplendent songs."

[Christian]

... and there´s another chance to see VDP live in concert, i.e. on January 27 at The Allen Room, Time Warner Center, New York City.

Producer Hal Willner will convene an all-star cast—including Rufus Wainwright, Bill Frisell, and Van Dyke Parks—to investigate the vital contributions of Gershwin, Berlin, Arlen, and other Jewish artists to American songwriting, based on a new Nextbook Press book by David Lehman "A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs".

[dogear]

Some other soundtracks/songs for films:
- Shadrach starring Andy McDowell and Harvey Keitel
- The Company by Robert Altman
- Stormy Weather - The Music of Harold Arlen
- Follow That Bird (Sesame Street Movie) arrangements
- Johnny Handsome
- Tresspass
- Geronimo
- Primary Colors
and many more...

[bgas]

... and there´s another chance to see VDP live in concert, i.e. on January 27 at The Allen Room, Time Warner Center, New York City.

Producer Hal Willner will convene an all-star cast—including Rufus Wainwright, Bill Frisell, and Van Dyke Parks—to investigate the vital contributions of Gershwin, Berlin, Arlen, and other Jewish artists to American songwriting, based on a new Nextbook Press book by David Lehman "A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs".

Maybe Brian will be making a surprise appearance to elevate Gershwin.

[Wilsonista]

Apparently Stills failed the cut because of his teeth, so he recommended a friend of his, one Peter Thorkelson.

Stills  said "thanks, but no thanks" when he was told that Columbia/Screen Gems would own the publishing on any songs written during the show's run/ He has denied the bad teeth excuse. Whether recommending Peter Tork can be called a favor to Peter is up for debate.