Product Details

• Actors: Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Eve Arden, Billy De Wolfe
• Directors: David Butler
• Writers: Emil Nyitray, Frank Mandel, Harry Clork, Irving Caesar, Otto A. Harbach
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: July 8, 1994
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302314631
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,911 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Spunky heiress Doris Day cures the blues with Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson and Eve Arden in a sparkling movie version of No, No Nanette. Evergreen songs: "I want to Be Happy," "Do Do Do," the title tune. Year: 1950 Director: David Butler Starring: Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PERFECT CUP OF "TEA", December 17, 2001

By 

Paul Brogan (Concord, NH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tea for Two [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Don't expect a very accurate representation of the Broadway hit,"No, No Nanette" in 1950's "Tea for Two". Warner Brothers took great liberties with the somewhat creaky script as well as two previous screen incarnations. What does remain, however, are some of the better songs from the score including the title tune, "I Want to Be Happy", "No, No Nanette", and "The Call of the Sea" as well as a couple of other numbers used in the background score.

It works, however, thanks to a gifted cast headed by Doris Day and Gordon MacRae in their first of 5 on-screen teamings, as well as a terrific supporting cast and the addition of some other songs that evoke the era of the late 20's. Although Warners made little effort to have a wardrobe designed that looked 1929, they did dress the film up in some goegrous technicolor (the three-strip kind that is stunning to behold) and allowed veteran director David Butler to do what he did best. The end result will have you humming and whistling as well as feeling better after viewing the film.

Doris Day plays Nanette Carter, a young heiress with aspirations of being a star. S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall is her rambunctuous uncle who loses much of her fortune in the crash of October, 1929. She promises to bankroll Gordon MacRae's show, not knowing she has no money to do so, although Uncle "Cuddles" has promised her the necessary money if she'll say no to everything for a period of time. Naturally he attempts to get her to say yes, in order to save face.

It's a typical musical-comedy formula and the discerning filmgoer will see the ending three reels before it happens. However, what sets it apart and makes it work is the talented and gifted cast, who approach the project with gusto and enthusiasm and appear to be having a great time.

Doris Day had studied to be a professional dancer until the car in which she was riding was hit by a train. A convalescence of more than a year was the result and there was concern that she'd never walk again much less dance. Day does her first on-screen dancing in "Tea for Two" and she is terrific. She also sings in that honey voice of hers and exudes a charm and genuine warmth that is totally unaffected. Gordon MacRae harmonizes with her beautifully and their rendition of the title tune is still, to this day, the best I've ever heard.

The supporting cast headed by "Cuddles" who could do his befuddled bit in his sleep is top-notch. Dancer Gene Nelson, Warners answer to Gene Kelly, is acrobatic and able, the inimitable Eve Arden steals almost every scene she is in with her wise cracks and dry wit. "Tea for Two" marked the beginning of a long friendship between Day and Billy DeWolfe, who plays a rather oily producer without alienating the audience. They reteamed the following year in "Lullabye of Broadway" and in the late 60's and early 70's he amusingly played Mr. Jarvis on Day's hit CBS television comedy series. She cared for him several years later during his final illness.

"Tea for Two" may not be everyone's cup of tea, it may have one too many lumps of sugar, but as escapist fare and an example of what musicals once were, it's a lively and lovely sample.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stupendous!!!!!!!!!!, October 17, 2004

By 

Darren Sorgea "dorisdayoldmovies***" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tea for Two [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Tea For Two is a wonderful, fun, movie that I don't think anyone can really hate! Doris Day (My personal favorite), stars as Nanette Carter, the lovely, stage struck girl. Whose uncle, Uncle Max (S.Z Sakall), is a rich uncle until the stock market crashes!! Broke, Uncle Max tries to tell Nanette, but can't. And is absolutely horrified that without knowing it, he bet Nanette $10,000 she can say no to every question for 2 days0

Nanette needs the money so she can back her crooked, scheming, 'fiance' Larry (Billy DeWolf) broadway show, in which she is to play the leading part.

Well, disaster, obviously ensues when the whole show has to stay at Nan's estate, she must say no to the the guy she loves, (Gordon Macrae)and the bet even forces her to give up her part in the play!! Wonderful songs like: Tea For Two, I Only Have Eyes For You, Be Happy, OH Me OH MY O You!, Crazy Rythem, No, No Nanette, and Call the Sea, make this movie perfect!!

Gene Nelson, also does a wonderful, daring tap number on a stair case. Such as running up the banister, or cartwheelin down. Eve Arden pops in with her dry remarks and silly jokes (Who else could do them like she could??). A wonderful, happy ending like all her movies, this movie cannot miss! So, if you're considering buying this, don't condider and go ahead!! This movie really has it all: Singing, dancing, comedy, romance, and more!!

Elinor Donahue (Father knows best, and later Andy Griffith)also enters as Nan's daughter in the end of the movie. Warner Brothers did a excellent job, as did David Butler. Doris's acting and singing are so smooth and wonderful, it's like you want to jump in the screen and dance with her. Her first number in the movie is with Gene Nelson tap dancing, while Gordon plays the piano during a dance lesson, to the song: I Know. Superb!!

Please this is a wonderful movie that if you have not seen, you ARE missing out!!!!!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love that Day Girl!, January 16, 2000

By 

Jumbo Fry (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tea for Two [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of the finest musicals that I have ever seen! Doris Day is a knock out! This movie takes us into the life of Nanette Carter, who loses her wealth in the stock market crash of '29. When a sleezy beau askes for money for his broadway show, she consents, but her uncle doesn't agree. He has lost all of her money, but then they make a bet that if she can stop saying the word Yes for 48 hours, she can have the money. But she didn't count on love and a proposal, after many funny mishaps. This movie is based on the stage play No, No Nanette, and features some great songs! And Doris and Gordon are better than ever!