TAMMY AND THE BACHELOR
US, 1957, 89 minutes, Colour.
Debbie Reynolds, Leslie Nielson, Walter Brennan, Mala Powers, Sidney Blackmer, Fay Wray, Mildren Natwick, Louise Beavers.
Directed by Joseph Pevney.
Tammy and the Batchelor was a pleasant backwoods romantic comedy of the mid 50s. It was a Ross Hunter production - Hunter going on to lavish Lana Turner and Doris Day melodramas at Universal Studios. It was directed by Joseph Pevney, director of many action films and comedies at Universal at this period. However, it was to become something of a classic. Debbie Reynolds gives a pleasingly vigorous performance. Leslie Neilsen is a pleasant hero. There is a strong cast which includes Walter Brennan, Mildred Natwick, Fay Wray, Sidney Blackmer.
The theme song has also become one of the perrenials of popular music. However, it set a fashion and there were two sequels with Sandra Dee in the 60s as well as a television series. It is interesting to compare the basic formula for the Tammy films with such films as Crocodile Dundee - the naive and gentle backwoods person coming into civilisation and transforming it.
1. Pleasing romantic comedy? From the backwoods to civilisation? The pleasing perrenial formula?
2. Cinemascope, location photography in the south, the backwoods, the river, the mansion, the town? Musical score and the popular theme song, and sung by Debbie Reynolds?
3. The title and expectations? Romance and comedy? Romance in the 50s style?
4. Debbie Reynolds (at 24) as Tammy (aged 18)? Personality and screen presence, charm? Innocent, naive, with her goat, Looking in the water? Relationship with her Grandfather? Way of speaking, vocabulary? Growing up simple in the backwoods? Going to the plane crash, rescuing Pete, 'Looking after him? Falling in love? Sharing his presence, the swim etc? Her Grandfather's arrest, walking all the way to the mansion? Being received, the interpretation that Grandpa was dead? Cooking, Pete bringing her breakfast, Mrs Brent's reaction? In the household, Pete's dreams of the tomatoes? Jealousy of Barbara? The outing with Ernie and being rescued by Pete? Wanting to falling in love and her frank way of talking? The insults? Friendship with the Professor, with Aunt Renee? The preparation for the week, dressing up, the gown, seeing herself in the mirror, hearing the traditional story, telling it to the visitors and charming them all? Clash with Barbara? In love with Pete ? singing the song, running away from insults, talking to her goat, return home and Pete arriving with Grandpa? An attractive heroine?
5. Pete, the plane crash, being rescued, enjoying the company of Tammy? Return home, the dance rehearsal, the relationship with Barbara? Welcoming Tammy, defending her against attack? Rescuing her from Ernie? The outing with him? The story of his ancestors? The final romance?
6. Barbara, wealthy, with Ernie, with Pete, jealousy?
7. Mrs Brent and her snobbery, concern for her son, insulting Tammy, cleaning the house, her change of heart? The Professor hiding himself away? Charmed by Tammy?
8. The cook, her moodiness, friendship, supporting Tammy?
9. Aunt Renee and her art, wanting the bohemian life, supporting Tammy, giving her the dress, coaching her?
10. Ernie as the best friend, flirting, pushy, more courteous, in love with Barbara?
11. The visitor and his wanting to buy the mansion, change of heart?
12. Grandpa, the Walter Brennan character, old and folksy, going to prison, drinking? His charm, the letter from prison?
13. Tammy as transforming everyone's lives, the moral of the story, old values, people who are afraid, straightforward talk and changing people? The perennial charm of this kind of Americana?
