Here's Ann-Margret with a turtle.

Ever since I posted that Ann Margrock video, I've been watching a ton of old Ann-Margret videos. My brother and I used to watch a VHS copy of Bye Bye Birdie constantly when we were little. I think we wore out the tape. Ann-Margret as the 16 year-old Kim was pretty much exactly how I wanted to be. I didn't realize at the time how much she exaggerated her femininity. She even referred to her stage persona as Sexpot-Banshee. I mean, she's practically a drag queen. Here are some of my favorite performances:

Bye Bye Birdie Reprise (1963)

Ann-Margret taught me everything I needed to know about being a woman at 1:08. And I still like to mimic her expression at :49. Meow!

Lot of Livin' to Do (1963)

The dancing in this scene just blows me away. This is maybe the best move ever:

Club scene from Il Tigre (1967)

Ann seriously shakes it in this Italian movie.

I Ain't Got Nobody (1961?)

This is from before she became a redhead.

Mack the Knife (1961?)

This is from the brunette era as well. I am totally in love with her cutesy over-the-top version of "Mack the Knife." It's filled with strangely adorable (and hilarious) verbal and facial tics.

See many more photos here.