A viral video featuring a delightful rendition of Doris Day’s “Everybody Loves a Lover” has been making waves, showcasing the charming talents of Arlene & The Vantastix. The group’s name cleverly nods to the legendary Dick Van Dyke, a prominent figure in American entertainment for over six decades.
Arlene Silver, Dick Van Dyke’s wife, and the Vantastix, a barbershop quartet formed by Van Dyke in 2000, join forces in this heartwarming musical performance.
Their love story began when Silver, initially a makeup artist, met Van Dyke at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards in 2006. Despite starting as professional collaborators, their romance bloomed after the passing of Van Dyke’s second wife. Shared passions for singing and dancing have become integral to their connection, as beautifully showcased in the recently viral video.
“Everybody Loves a Lover,” originally recorded by Doris Day, sets the stage for the Vantastix’s performance. Arlene Silver kicks off the song with a lively and sassy rendition, capturing the essence of the original. The magic truly unfolds around the 36-second mark when Dick Van Dyke’s familiar, sonorous voice adds scatting in the background. At the impressive age of 96, Van Dyke takes a verse, and the Vantastix harmonizes while trumpeter Tony Guerrero makes a notable appearance, elevating the performance.
Van Dyke told People magazine in 2015:
“My wife is a good singer and dancer, so there’s a lot of singing and dancing going on around here. I got up the other morning; she was in the kitchen doing the dishes, and she had her tao shoes on, and she was tap dancing while she was doing the dishes!”
This video was directed by Arlene Silver and shot at the captivating LA art installation “SUPERSHOW” by David Allen Burns and Austin Young (Fallen Fruit). This visually engaging video pays homage to Dick Van Dyke’s performances, with two standout moments. In the opening credits of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (CBS, 1961-1967), Van Dyke humorously trips over an ottoman. Towards the end of the Arlene & The Vantastix video, he skillfully sidesteps an ottoman with a dance move, adding a touch of finesse and nostalgia.
Despite the 46-year age gap between Arlene Silver and Dick Van Dyke, the couple radiates joy and humor. Van Dyke humorously mentioned that Arlene is mature beyond her years, while he remains a bit on the immature side – a combination that just feels right and is among the smartest decisions he ever made.