Customer Reviews

Tea for Two [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!!!!!

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!

I Like Doris day movies and I think Tea for Two is a cute movie and I like the plot and the singing and dancing. I can't belive this movie hasn't been put on DVD. Last year several of Doris Day's movies were put out on region 1 DVd's but sadly Tea ForvTwo wan't one of them so please put this charming movie out on DVD!

This is the story of a very rich woman, Nanette Carter (Doris Day). Her Uncle Max (S.Z. Sakall) loses all of her money in a stock market crash and is afraid to tell her about it! So Nan decides to put $25,000.00 into a play her friend (sort of) Larry Blaire (Billy De Wolfe), is producing. When her uncle finds out he says that he will not give her the money. He says that she must learn how to say "no" all the time instead "yes", that way she won't spend so much money! Before HE can say no, Nan bets him that she will "no" for 48 hours. If she does keep her side of the bet, he'll give her the $25,000.00, if not, she'll not ask for anything for a year. It starts out with Nan thinking it's going to be lots of fun but soon she figures out how hard it is to say "no" to some things, especially to a very special person in her life, Jimmy Smith (Gordon MacRae). And things get pretty sticky when one of the dancers in Larry's show, Beatrice Darcy (Patrice Wymore), finds out that Larry has given Nan Bea's part in the show! The end conclusion will surprise you!!

I just love musical comedies!! Some of my favorites are "Singin' in the Rain", "Cover Girl", "Silk Stockings", "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", "New York, New York", and of course "Tea for Two" is no exception.

This movie is so funny, especially Billy De Wolfe and Eve Arden as Nan's secretary. And it also has some great musical numbers: "Tea for Two", "Crazy Rythm", "I Only Have Eyes For You", "Oh Me, Oh My!", and lots more! Doris Day, Gene Nelson, Patrice Wymore, Virginia Wilson, and all the performers did such a great job doing with the dancing. A musical comedy which can be enjoyed by anyone!

Sure, Doris is great, Gordon is hunky and Cuddles is lovable, but view this film through the eyes of Eve Arden's character. She thinks it's all rather silly and it is -- but great fun.

At the piano, Eve Arden practically looks into the camera and deadpans, "Does this strike anyone else as completely imbecillic?"

Yes, it is and the world will not forget!

I Like Doris day movies and I think Tea for Two is a cute movie and I like the plot and the singing and dancing. I can't belive this movie hasn't been put on DVD. Last year several of Doris Day's movies were put out on region 1 DVd's but sadly Tea For Two wan't one of them so please put this charming movie out on DVD!

Told in flashback, this cute adaptation of "No No Nannette" stars Doris Day as the wealthy aspiring stage actress, Nannette Carter.
After a bad market move during the 1929 crash, Nannette's uncle Max (S.Z. Sakall) loses all her money but doesn't tell her anything. Ignoring the problem, Nannette succumbs to her two-timing ex-boyfriend's plea to fund his next show. In order to discourage her, Uncle Max says he'll let her have the money for the show so long as she succeeds in saying no to everything she's asked for the next 48 hours.
Nannette's delighted at first, but plans take a sour turn when she finds her bet might cost her the love of Jimmy (Gordon MacRae), the show's talented and handsome musician who's in love with her.
Gorgeous dance numbers by Gene Nelson and cast, and many romantic songs by Day and MacRae including "Tea for Two" and "I Only Have Eyes For You."

Doris Day is so wonderful in this movie! I am a HUUUUGGEEE fan of Doris Day and this is one of her best movies. I love watching her dance and hear her sing. Gene Nelson and Eve Arden are funny and bright and the songs are great! My favorite songs are Crazy Rythem, I Wanna be Happy and No, No Nanette. Take it from me, SEE IT! Believe me you won't regret it!

This is a great classic movie starring Doris Day and Gordon MacRae. Doris Day is a wealther Millionairess named Nannette! Nan's Uncal Alex (Cuddles) ends up loosing all of her movie in the great stock crash of 1929! Well Nan has just agreed to pay $25,000 to the local Bum who owns a Theatre Company! And she makes a bet with Her Uncle that if she will say No for 48 Hours that she will recieve the a mount of money that she needs! but he doesn't tell her that he doesn't have that kind of money until she finds it out for herself by her lawyer! But she then is able to get the money back when she finds out that her Uncles crook of a lawyer took all of the movie and she has her trusted friend Eve Arden take him for a swim and to get him to give back the money! Welll it works and they get the money back and are able to do the show! This movie ends showing Doris and Gordon Married and their 2 little children singing Tea For Two! What a great Classic Musical by Warner Brothers!