Customer Reviews

Billie

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the story of a 15-year-old girl who can outrun all the boys on the track team because she uses "the Beat," the rhythm of rock music in her head to help her run faster. She's invited to be on the boys' track team, to the consternation of the school principal and her father (reliable character actors Richard Deacon and Jim Backus)-especially embarrassing her father, who's running for mayor on what today would be thought of as a "male chauvinist ticket." Dad changes his tune when Billie becomes a track star, but his mayoral opponent has another family secret up his sleeve.

Of course at the end Billie takes the 60s way out and decides she'd rather be a girl than a track star, which infuriates many people, but the film was actually very daring for 1965 with its "everyone should do what they like" theme: no one actually ever coerces Billie to leave the team, not her envious team-mates, or her father, or the boy who wants to be her boyfriend-it's Billie's decision to stop running, not anyone else's.

This is just a nice pleasant rainy Saturday afternoon film with some great character actors, including Jane Greer, who plays Billie's mom who takes her husband with a grain of salt, the aforementioned Jim Backus, who wishes his little girl had been a boy (this leads to a very heart-rending scene where Dad refers to Billie as "son"), Susan Seaforth before she did DAYS OF OUR LIVES, a pre-THAT GIRL Ted Bessell and pre-BEWITCHED Dick Sargent, and Patty Duke as Billie, who actually comes off very natural as a tomboyish girl who feels out of place with everyone. (Her dyed blond hair is a fright, though; how did two brown-haired parents manage to have a blonde daughter anyway?) And of course lots of cool 60s dance scenes and clothes.

One point taken off for the DVD, which uses widescreen for the titles and pan and scan for the rest. It's good quality DVD, but the framing ruins several scenes. Someone must have had the original widescreen print somewhere; why not just transfer that?

It's nice to see this wonderful flick on DVD. Starring Academy Award winner PATTY DUKE as Billie Carol, a young gal who scores on the Track Team but feels like a "Lonely Little In Between" in her private life. Ted Bessell plays her young brother in Law, and the wonderful Jim Backus plays her dad. Duke sings three songs in the film - "Funny Little Butterflies" "A Girl is a Girl" and the aforementioned "Lonely Little In Between". Her performance, including her dance routines, are totally enjoyable. She literally sparkles on the screen and it is easy to see how Patty Duke made the transition from child star to teen star to more mature roles. If you are looking for a DVDthe whole family can watch and enjoy,BILLIE would be an excellent choice.A MUST for Duke fans!

This has been a favorite of mine since I first saw it.It is a very happy,upbeat comedy that brings back the happier times in our country. It showcases some fine 60s actors such as Jim Backus and Ted Bessell.Patty Duke is great in this role.A must see.

This is a very sweet film, and a musical as much as a story. There are a lot of good songs (and dance)and the cast consists mainly of reliable supporting actors and actresses for the times. The story is perhaps daring for 1965, which is the right of a girl to compete not only in sports, but on a male team. But, since it was done in 1965, punches were pulled. The copy is crisp (you can see Patty Duke's smallpox scar) but her hair color seems to change quite a bit, and was a bit distracting. This is a fine family film and fans of Patty Duke, especially of her early years, will want this for their collection. Those who remember her from her TV show will be very happy this film is on DVD. The ending is a bit of a downer, considering the stand taken earlier in the film, but then one has to consider when the film was made. Few of the actors looked really like athletes, and Patty Duke seemed physically unlikely for the role, but then this was likely a small town high school and the coach was also an English teacher, unlike the specializations today. This DVD is a pleasant way to spend some time, but not strong enough to require devoting a special time to watch.

Being a Patty Duke fan for many years, its easy for me to review this film. When this movie was done, musicals were big, and being that Patty is a very talented actress and still is, this film brought out her comedic side as well as her singing abilities. I have bought her albums over the years, and still listen to them. If you are a fan of hers, see the film, its worth it.

I loved this movie when I was a kid and was pleasantly surprised when I saw it on video. Not quite an enthralled with it now but it was a nice jog down memory lane. Patty Duke is always good in my book.

I was so disappointed that the film transfer was not letterbox, as were the opening credits. The film is grainy and distorted. It is pan and scan and many times you cannot see who is talking! The characters look like dwarfs, the video VHS copy is much better! At the end is an interesting note, copyrights Anna Marie Pierce! AKA Patty Duke! Do not waste your money.

I was a huge "The Patty Duke Show" fan and I had (and still have) the Billie album, but as a child never had the opportunity to see the movie my beloved album was based on. I so enjoyed this, although it was definitely out of the past! You must view this in the right frame of mind for the 60's, but it makes for great entertainment if you do.

Patty Duke was at the height of her teenybopper fame when she starred in BILLIE (1965). Modern audiences may sneer at it's depiction of a girl's fight for equality (which she ultimately drops), yet it's mix of teen angst and lively musical numbers is quite a delicious combo.

15-year-old Billie Carol (Patty Duke) sets out to beat the boys at their own game by joining the highschool track team; a decision that could disrupt her entire family. With her father (Jim Backus) busily campaiging for mayor, her sister (Susan Seaforth-Hayes) home from college with a guilty secret; and mother (Jane Greer) constantly talking about putting her head in the oven(!), Billie's antics could send them all over the edge! In the end, Billie decides her greatest victory is just "being a girl", as the whole cast dances away into the night. Yay!

BILLIE is harmless fluff in the vein of "Gidget" and "Beach Party". Patty Duke, at the very apex of her teen fame, is pert and perky in the lead, belting out songs like "Funny Little Butterflies". Warren Berlinger is the boyfriend who feels threatened by Billie's sporting prowess, and "That Girl"'s Ted Bessell also puts in a fun appearance. The lively choreography comes courtesy of talented "West Side Story" cast member David (Baby John) Winters. Keep an eye out for Broadway hoofer Donna McKechnie amongst the dancers.

The DVD of BILLIE is truly appalling though. Cropped and sliced into fullscreen, the image is full of telecine wobble and lots of grain (which could have been minimalised by keeping the film in it's original widescreen ratio). The sound is in big fat mono with minor hiss and distortion evident throughout. Extras are limited to the original trailer (which is presented in widescreen, another kick in the pants for those who would have loved the whole movie in widescreen).

Fans of 60s kitsch should love BILLIE. Despite a shoddy DVD presentation, this is a movie that deserves to be enjoyed. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).

I grew up with this movie. It was alway's on Sunday afternoons. It is dated now of course but so fun and touching for those of us that grew up in that 'simpler' time. A sterling cast . Very sweet.
I will admit though a bit dissapointment in the picture, not that it isn't watchable ~ but is seems to me that a better print could have been searched out and used. Also, from childhood I seem to remember it was wide screen, but this copy is not. I could be wrong on that. All in all though, this is a great little piece of early 60's fun and well worth watching. Especially if you're a Patty Duke fan.