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42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love...." And on DVD!!, November 9, 2007
"Tammy and the Bachelor" is the best of the "Tammy" series, with wonderful and very entertaining performances by its stellar cast, including the energetic Debbie Reynolds, who not only entertains the viewer with her role as the backwoods Tammy Tyree, but also actually becomes her! Debbie Reynolds also had notable success with the movie's theme song, "Tammy" (better known as "Tammy's in Love)." One of the most memorable scenes to me is of Tammy performing as a Southern lady tour guide and gives a wonderful and sentimental performance that you won't forget! Also notable is Fay Wray as Pete's mother, Mrs. Brent and Mildred Natwick as the eccentric Aunt Renie, artist and cat lover extrodinaire! "Tammy and the Bachelor" is followed by three sequels, with Sandra Dee taking on the part of Tammy Tyree in "Tammy, Tell Me True" and "Tammy and the Doctor," and then Debbie Watson as Tammy Tarleton in 1967's "Tammy and the Millionaire," which is sadly missing from this set. Though all three movies included her in this set are enjoyable and entertaining in their own way, "Tammy and the Bachelor" is a true classic movie gem and should not be missed! The three "Tammy" movies collected here are a welcome addition to any classic movie dvd library and will add a nice touch of '50's innocent whimsy to your classic romantic comedy dvd collection! It's great to finally see these wonderful titles getting the dvd treatment!
"Tammy and the Bachelor" (1957)
Sentimental and sugary late `50's comedy with wonderful performances throughout, "Tammy and the Bachelor" is one of those movies that you simply cannot help but enjoy watching again and again! The plot involves a handsome, young man who has just crashed his plane in some backwoods swamp. The man is then rescued by young and pretty Tammy Tyree (Debbie Reynolds, who gives a heartfelt performance) who lives with her lay-preacher-cum-moonshiner grandfather (wonderfully performed by Walter Brennan) in a houseboat next to the riverbank. The young man introduces himself as Peter Brent (Leslie Nielsen), and is charmed by the sweet spirited Tammy. Before Peter leaves, he tells Grandpa that if he ever needs any help, to come find him. It isn't long until Grandpa is sent to jail for his moonshining, so he sends Tammy to stay with Pete. Tammy discovers that Peter Brent is not only a handsome bachelor, but is also very wealthy! Pete, as well as his entire family, get caught up in Tammy's home cooking, enthusiasm and quaint sunshiny personality which brings about changes in Pete's family and in Pete himself!
"Tammy, Tell Me True" (1961)
Following the success "Tammy and the Bachelor," Sandra Dee takes on the part of the backwoods, riverboat gal, Tammy Tyree. In search of an education to better herself, Tammy is off to college and is soon caught up in the lives of the college staff, especially young and handsome college professor, Tom Freeman (John Gavin). A fun and energetic romantic comedy that is both entertaining in it's simple story telling and the comedic situations. Tammy tries her hand at babysitting some unruly kids whose parents refrain from disciplining them. And the outcome is hilarious! I also enjoyed the wonderful scenes with Tammy becoming a paid companion to a wealthy widower, Mrs. Annie Call (Beulah Bondi, who gives a great performance) and discovers a kindred spirit in the seemingly bitter old lady. "Tammy, Tell Me True" is entertaining in its storytelling and the cast gives spirited performances. Sandra Dee's take on the "Tammy" role is inspiring and she is (as always) sweet and lovable to watch. A fun and enjoyable addition to "Tammy and the Bachelor" that you'll enjoy watching again and again!
"Tammy and the Doctor" (1963)
Sandra Dee reprises her role as the down to earth Tammy Tyree in this third installment of the "Tammy" series. Though entertaining in its overall storytelling, "Tammy and the Doctor" seems more corny than sincere in the cast performances this time out. The plot consists of Tammy becoming a candy striper at an area hospital, where she meets young and handsome Dr Mark Cheswick (Peter Fonda). The nurses have a laugh at Tammy's backwoods philosophies and once again, Tammy has to set things straight in each of their lives. An enjoyable cast includes Macdonald Carey as Dr. Wayne Bentley and Beulah Bondi reprises her role as Mrs. Annie Call. Though not up to par as it's predecessors, "Tammy and the Doctor" is enjoyable enough for an occasional night of TV viewing.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet Deal on Three Sweet Movies, February 16, 2008
This has been a great year for Ross Hunter on DVD. In addition to the Lana Turner melodrama double feature, Universal now gives us three comedies for a low price in this set. All three "Tammy" films made from 1957-63 are included. If you are looking for some family entertainment or an evening of nostalgia, this set is for you.
Taken chronologically, the first film "Tammy and the Bachelor" was released in 1957. Producer Hunter borrowed Debbie Reynolds, who was under contract to MGM, to play Tammy Tyree (short for Tambey which means immortal). This was a big A-budget film in Technicolor and CinemaScope. I am sure he knew that if he didn't have a "Tammy", he didn't have a movie.
Reynolds is a delight as the truth-telling, blunt river girl who finds herself sharing lodgings with the Brent family. Leslie Nielson is the very handsome pilot who crashes a plane in a swamp and is rescued by Tammy and her grandfather (Walter Brennan). A lot of viewers seem to remember that the Brents were rich, but they actually didn't have much money. Son Peter (the "Bachelor" of the title) was trying to find a way to make the land pay for itself. The only income the family had was from the tourist trade who visited their mansion each year. When Grandpa is thrown in jail by the revenuers, Tammy hitchhikes with her goat Nanny to BrentWood.
Most of the story is taken up with fish out of water scenes, but this is the type of comedy that Reynolds excels in. The supporting cast is excellent, with fine turns by Fay Wray, Mildred Natwick, Sidney Blackmer, Phil Ober, and Mala Powers.
Reynolds especially impresses in a sincere scene at the tourist gathering where she "improvises" a story about the dress she is wearing and her arrival at the house in the previous century. The viewer really can't help but be charmed by her. She also sings the title song which became a big record hit for her. In fact, the film was doing only ordinary business until Reynolds recording began to get a lot of radio play. Universal-International put it back into several hundred theaters and drive-ins and made a LOT of money.
"Tammy and the Bachelor" on DVD in widescreen has great color. Directed by Joseph Pevney with some nice on location photography, it clocks in at a brisk 89 minutes. The disk it is on includes the original trailer and English SDH and French subtitles. Audiences loved this movie and continue to do so. First week sales of the DVD in stores and online was fantastic.
The second and third films in the series are one disk. "Tammy Tell Me True" was released in 1961 and starred Ross Hunter discovery Sandra Dee as Tammy. Dee was certainly not the actress that Reynolds was, but she does bring a lovely charm to the role. The script was by Oscar Brodney (who wrote all of the films), and it was directed by Harry Keller. It was released in a different widescreen process and you will get bigger image on your screen with both the movies on this disk. Both films also have the SDH and French subtitle options.
Taking up where "Bachelor" left off, Tammy is with the Brents. Pete has gone off the agriculture college, and Tammy is left waiting at Brentwood. With typical Tyree pluck, she decides she needs to get some education and takes the Effie B shanty boat down the Mississippi River to attend Seminola College as a "special student."
The Dean of Women, Miss Jenks (played by Virginia Grey, a friend of producer Hunter) recognizes Tammy's innate humanity and welcomes her to sit in on classes in current events and public speaking. The latter is taught by instructor Tom Freeman. He and Tammy met earlier in the day by a tree in the park.
Tammy is also sent to be a companion to Mrs. Annie Call (Beulah Bondi). Mrs. Call is a bitter, mean old woman - as she says herself. Her niece misunderstands Tammy's background and sends her away. When Tammy sneaks back into the backyard and has a heart to heart talk with her, Mrs. Call hatches a plan. She runs away to the Effie B to relive her childhood times of life on the river.
There are complications. Tammy isn't accepted by the others in school, she gets a couple of babysitting jobs, and she is even eventually accused of kidnapping and robbery. Don't worry it all works out in the end.
The supporting cast here is just as interesting as in the previous film. In addition to Grey and Bondi, we have Gigi Perreau (former child star), Taffy Paul (who would become Stephanie Powers), Charles Drake, Hayden Rorke, Billy Mumy, Edgar Buchanan, and Juanita Moore. We also see some familiar exteriors on the Universal backlot including the house that would belong to the Munsters and the exterior of the house that the Kettles won and lived in for several entries in that movie series.
Dee isn't quite as lucky in the leading man department here. She is stuck with John Gavin, who is more handsome than Leslie Nielson to be sure, but just can't act. The scene where he is to laugh at things Tammy says is so forced, it is embarrassing to watch. He does say the same line that Nielson says to Reynolds: "If I'm laughing at you, it's with pure delight." And that isn't said with much conviction either.
No trailer is included with "Tammy Tell Me True", but it does have the lovely original score by Percy Faith, one of his few original film scores. There is a title song that serves the purpose, but the original by Ray Livingston and Jay Evans is missed. There is no other credit for the slight singing performance, so until otherwise informed, we have to assume the Dee did her own singing here. This film is the longest of the trio at 97 minutes and is directed by Harry Keller.
The final theatrical feature here is "Tammy and the Doctor" released in 1963 At least we get a trailer with this film, though it certainly isn't in very good shape.
Dee suffers from a poor choice of leading man here, too. One would think that Peter Fonda would be able to express some kind of emotion or at least some charisma on the screen. Here in his debut, he is a zero. His delivery of the line "If I'm laughing, it's with pure delight" is even worse than Gavin's. And Dee is getting a bit old to play the innocent wide eyed Tammy. Producer Hunter must have decided that they had to get Tammy out of the back woods and off the river. So with Bondi recreating her Mrs. Call role and needing heart surgery, she and Tammy are uprooted and transferred to Los Angeles.
As quickly as she was taken into college, Tammy is employed by the hospital. She creates several funny incidents, but she is always put back to mopping floors (this gag wears out its welcome after the fourth time). She becomes enamored of a young intern (Fonda) and decides she doesn't love Tom Warren (Gavin) after all and sets her cap for young Dr. Mark Cheswick. Tammy is nothing if not fickle.
The supporting cast again is excellent with MacDonald Carey (homely as he is), Margaret Lindsey, Alice Pearce (the original "Bewtiched" Gladys Kravitz), Reginald Owen, and Adam West (just before becoming Batman on television). The real treat for trivia and movie fans in the cast is Joan Marshall. Who?? Well as Joan Arless she played the double male/female leading role in "Homicidal." Here she is a lovely tall redhead, and it's fun to see her as she really looks. Marshall was also originally cast as Lily Munster, but was replaced by Yvonne DeCarlo for the subsequent series.
Dee sings the original title tune, although I am not sure that is truly her voice. "Tammy and the Doctor" has the happy ending you expect. And it is fun. It runs 88 minutes and Keller once again takes the helm.
Of the three films,this is the only one with a singular credit by writer Brodney. The others credit the original novels by Cid Rickets Sumner (Tammy Out of Time and Tammy Tell Me True.) Sumner's story did not have a Tammy ending, she was murdered by her grandson.
All of the movies in this collection are enjoyable, if you are in the right mood, or if you just like the stars. Certainly you can see the progression from original project, to star vehicle, to assembly line feature making as you go along. It's a good history lesson in how Universal Studios was run and the product it was turning out. The only "Tammy" title missing is "Tammy and the Millionaire" which was actually a few episodes of a short-lived television series starring Debbie Watson edited together to make a poor feature film.
At the low suggested retail price, you get a lot of entertainment value. And you just might laugh a time or two. Tambey - it means "immortal" you know!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally!!!, February 6, 2008
It's finally here!!! I was so excited when I came across this movie collection. I love these movies and have tried to find it everywhere and all I could find were used VHS copies. So, when I found this one, I didn't even wait a day to buy it. All of these movies are great. In the first movie, Debbie Reynolds does an amazing job as Tammy Tyree. In the second and third movies, Sandra Dee takes over the role of Tammy and it works perfectly. Quite often, when a main character is switched, you can spend the entire movie omparing the two different actresses. This is not the fact with these movies. Both actresses did a terrific job bringing the character to life. These movies are a terrific addition to any movie collection and perfect for the whole family.
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