“CLASSIC STAR OF THE MONTH: DICK VAN DYKE” - 12/01/25 (116)

2025-12-01

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EPISODE 116 - “CLASSIC STAR OF THE MONTH: DICK VAN DYKE” - 12/01/25 Join us as we celebrate the life and career of someone who seemingly personifies joy — on-screen and off. And maybe that’s the secret to his longevity, because he is about to celebrate his 100th birthday on December 13. Of course, we’re talking about the one and only, DICK VAN DYKE, our December Star of the Month. His career spans The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and beyond. He’s danced across rooftops, flipped over ottomans, and shared his personal struggles with ...

EPISODE 116 - “CLASSIC STAR OF THE MONTH: DICK VAN DYKE” - 12/01/25

Join us as we celebrate the life and career of someone who seemingly personifies joy — on-screen and off. And maybe that’s the secret to his longevity, because he is about to celebrate his 100th birthday on December 13. Of course, we’re talking about the one and only, DICK VAN DYKE, our December Star of the Month. His career spans The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and beyond. He’s danced across rooftops, flipped over ottomans, and shared his personal struggles with alcoholism in order to shine a light on a horrible disease -- at a time when that sort of thing wasn’t discussed. From his early years trying to make it in show business, to that breakout moment on Broadway, to becoming one of the most beloved stars on television and film - today, we celebrate the legendary Dick Van Dyke!

SHOW NOTES:

Sources:

My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business (2011), Dick Van Dyke;

Columbia Pictures Press Release, (1968), by John C. Flinn;

Rogers & Cowan, Inc. Public Relations Biographical Notes on Dick Van Dyke, 1964

“A New Van Dyke Family Blooms in the Desert,” September 17, 1971, Life Magazine;

“Dick Van Dyke Does It All, But In His Own Way,” March/April 1973, by Joseph N. Bell, The Saturday Evening Post;

“Dick Van Dyke Tells of Alcohol Problem”, December 7, 1973, by Marilyn Beck, Marilyn Beck’s Hollywood, Special Features;

“The Serious Side of Dick Van Dyke,” Jan/Feb 1982, by Sally Saunders, The Saturday Evening Post:

“Vintage Van Dyke,” October 1990, by Stuart Matranga, TV Time;

“Biography Dick Van Dyke,”Dec 14, 1998, by Michael A. Lipton & Champ Clark, People Magazine;

“Man With A Mission: Helping the Homeless Makes Dick Van Dyke’s Holidays,”Nov 13, 2007, by Debra Beyer, Los Angeles Times;

“Mary Tyler Moore & Dick Van Dyke Are Together Again on TV — But They’re Not Rob & Laura Anymore,”April 2003, by Sheldon Lessen, Southern California Senior Life;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

Bye, Bye Birdie (1963), starring Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, Paul Lynde, & Maureen Stapleton;

What a Way to Go (1964), starring Shirley MacLaine, Dean Martin, Robert, Mitchum, Dick Van Dyke, Gene Kelly, & Paul Newman;

Mary Poppins (1964), starring Julie Andrews & Dick Van Dyke;

The Art of Love (1965), starring James Garner, Dick Van Dyke, & Angie Dickinson;

Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. (1966), starring Dick Van Dyke & Nancy Kwan;

Divorce American Style (1967), starring Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Reynolds, Jason Robards & Jean Simmons;

Never a Dull Moment (1968), starring Dick Van Dyke, Edward G, Robinson & Dorothy Provine;