Still Dancing

By Judy Abel

On most days, tucked away on a quiet street in Serra Canyon in Malibu, you’ll find Arlene and Dick Van Dyke enjoying each other’s company in their warm Spanish hacienda. The verdant gardens that surround the house create a serene setting. Inside is a treasure trove of memorabilia that celebrates the legendary entertainer’s nearly unmatched sevendecade career in showbiz.

One shelf alone holds five Emmys, most received for his work on his classic eponymous TV sitcom. There’s a Grammy, Tony and a Kennedy Center honor, which was just received last year.

But one award especially meaningful to him is unrecognizable among the other iconic accolades displayed. It’s a hefty, handcrafted award, made of gold bits and bobs. The beloved entertainer explained the one-off assemblage was awarded to him by the crew of “Mary Poppins” where his indelible performance as Bert, alongside his Academy Award winning co-star Julie Andrews, cemented his status as a Disney living legend.

Arlene calls her husband simply “magical.”

And the feeling is mutual.

“When I first met her, I thought she was just this beautiful woman,” Dick said. “That she’s turned out to be the person she is, is incredible. I don’t believe anything is haphazard. Meeting Arlene, that was fate.”

At 96, Dick is relaxing a little more these days, but his tenth decade remains quite productive. Up until the pandemic shut down venues, Dick and Arlene were performing at LA’s top jazz spots with their singing act. The beloved showman noted the act, of course, included “a little hoofing”—a Van Dyke trademark.

What’s Dick’s secret? A few years ago, the nonagenarian wrote a book on aging called “Keep Moving.” He’s living proof that his advice—including the song he introduced on Broadway, “Put on a Happy Face”—works. Just four years ago, he stunned audiences in “Mary Poppins Returns.” There, the ageless performer nimbly jumped atop a desk and tap danced. Reprising his role as Mr. Dawes was an overwhelmingly nostalgic part of the movie for the cast while filming, and later for delighted audiences.

Dick is still singing and dancing—now with Arlene every night. It’s a fun pastime for them both. Arlene often introduces Dick to new music, but she says it’s she who has actually gravitated to his style of classic American songbook titles, some originally introduced by Dick himself.

“I’m having the best time of my entire life right now. I’m the happiest and most content I’ve ever been and it’s largely because of her,” Dick said, smiling at Arlene.

The couple also shares a love of Halloween. For years, the always charming Van Dyke could be seen in Malibu’s supermarkets filling his shopping cart to the brim with candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters. His house has witnessed an annual transformation into a Halloween horror spectacular for generations of Malibu youngsters. Nine years ago, Arlene added a less scary “Little Mermaid” act and puppet show for the youngsters who were afraid of the ghoulish animatronic characters Dick’s Disney friends help him set up. She is already planning Halloween 2022.

Van Dyke’s many years of support for the city he’s called home for decades has earned him the title of “unofficial mayor” of Malibu. His cheery, optimistic disposition is infectious. He makes people smile, especially Arlene.

“We get along so great,” he said. “This is the best time of my life. My career is behind me. I’ve accomplished whatever I’ve wanted. I’m just relaxing, enjoying life and she’s making it just a dream. I tell her that every day.”

To celebrate the couple’s ten-year wedding anniversary, Arlene released a video of the two performing a cover of the Doris Day hit “Everybody Loves a Lover.” Her directorial debut was released on Valentine’s Day as a gift to Dick. Another video of the two is in the works where Arlene will once again direct.

Throughout it all, there’s no doubt that we can definitely expect Dick to show off some of his lithe moves.