Stapleton and Van Dyke were actually the same age in years, with Stapleton a few months older. However, Van Dyke back then read younger, and Stapleton, who was a great actress, but a heavy smoker and drinker, always looked older than her age.
Of course, neither Ann-Margret nor Rydell looked like high school students. In 1963, though, none of that mattered to me. I just liked the film because it was so entertaining. |
