For longtime local and legendary song and dance man Dick Van Dyke, the beat goes on. What’s more, the impressive octogenarian and iconic “Mary Poppins” star says he has no intention of hanging up his dancing shoes.
From the look of things, the spry 89-year-old may just be warming up.
At the opening of the documentary “Tap World” at the Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles, he admitted to reporters, “I didn’t even start dancing until I was in my 30s.” The result? “I love it,” he said. “It’s like flying.”
He may be best known as Cockney chimney sweep Bert in one of America’s favorite family films. “Mary Poppins” hit the theaters decades ago, but Dick has never lost his love of dancing.
No wonder that dance fans waltzed out in style to see Dick pick up a Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of smooth moves. He’s never lost his attraction for kids and adults of all ages. His appearance at the Nuart was completely sold out with standing room only.
Earlier this year, Dick was caught prancing through his Malibu home for a music video for the folk band The Dustbowl Revival. Before you knew it, his clip was all over the Internet. He reportedly said afterward, “I just couldn’t control myself and started dancing. It just went viral.”
From “Mary Poppins” to “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” to “A Night at the Museum,” “Diagnosis Murder,” and of course, “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” this versatile man has reason to kick up his heels.
In addition to his film and TV roles, he keeps his toes tapping with his longtime group known as “Dick Van Dyke and the Vantastix.”
His latest appearance attracted a chorus line of dance enthusiasts.
It was all part of a kickoff for an uplifting flick called “Tap World.” This dance film has its toe on the pulse of how the contemporary tap community is evolving. The documentary film gives an up close and personal look at the creative world of tap and how it is practiced around the world.
“The language of music is rhythm, and rhythm is the language of life,” said one of the film’s dancers. It features clips profiling more than 200 hoofers. You’ll find tappers that span the age spectrum from nine to 91.
The dance fans and professionals showcased include folks like Ted Louis Levy, who contributed choreography to “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk” and has worked with both Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, as well as many international tap stars. The lively film takes you on a journey into the world of dance and how it has changed from the days of Shirley Temple and Fred Astaire to innovations in contemporary shows.
In the meantime, you can count on Dick to keep it moving. Yet, despite all his accomplishments and active lifestyle, this is one guy who doesn’t take anything for granted.
When asked about his greatest accomplishment, he is very matter of fact and is quick to point out, “Living this long is probably the best thing I ever did,” and you can count on him keeping the beat for years to come.