Customer Reviews

Two Weeks With Love [VHS]

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

 

 

Producer Jack Cummings gives us a nostalgic look at early America with its traditional mannerisms and unique dress in this turn of the century musical. While vacationing in a Catskills resort, Patti (Jane Powell) and her younger sister, Melba, (Debbie Reynolds) are determined to turn their two-week family get-a-way into two weeks with love. Patti sets her eye on a dashing older guest, Ricardo Montalban, while Melba stalks the hotel ownner's son, Carleton Carpenter. Patti believes that if she were only permitted to wear a corset, like the other young women, that her romantic woes would be over. She is reminded by Mama and Papa (delightfully played by Ann Harding and Louis Calhern) that she is only eighteen and that the answer is no. Phyllis Kirk, a fellow vacationer, doesn't help any by spreading word that Patti doesn't wear a corset. She, also, has her sights set on Mr. Montalban. Needless to say, misadventure and comedy abound. Busby Berkeley, renowned for his spectacular choreography and 'people moving', staged all the numbers for this bright period musical set in the early 1900's.

The musical sequences are dazzling. They begin with a lilting waltz, the movie's untitled theme, which I call the LOVE WALTZ, conducted by Louis Calhern for his Sunday concert in the park. Jane Powell adds her talent to the concert with a vibrant A HEART THAT'S FREE. At the resort, Debbie Raynolds and Carleton Carpenter entertain the guests with a lively THAT'S HOW I NEED YOU. Jane follows with a robust OCEANA ROLL. Debbie and Carleton next give us the rousing ABA DABA HONEYMOON which gave them a smash-hit record. While rowing on the lake, Mama and Papa, Ricardo and Phyllis, and Jane (alone in her own little boat) sing the romantic BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON. Jane ends up IN the lake. At a resort dance, we hear a beautiful refrain of the LOVE WALTZ. Jane then gets her wish for a corset in an elaborate dream sequence in which she appears in the hotel courtyard with all guests assembled in their finest attire. Jane enters wearing a dazzling corset and a wide brimmed hat accessorized by a shade umbrella over her shoulder. All eyes are on Jane and her beautiful corset, not to mention her beautiful legs, as the crowd sings BEAUTIFUL LADY. She rewards their admiration with the revered Oscar Straus favorite MY HERO as her own hero, Ricardo, waltzes her around the garden. The dream ending and the film drawing to a close, Debbie and Carleton encore with ROW, ROW, ROW in a resort entertainment and Jane and Ricardo follow with a lively Latin dance, FLAMENCO. The music and movie conclude with the haunting LOVE WALTZ.

Of all of her movies, this is Jane Powell's favorite. It's one of my favorites, also. The entire cast seems to be having a rousing, good time. I think you will, too.

"Two Weeks with Love" is easily one of the best MGM films starring Jane Powell. She is very hilarious as a determined young woman whose mother thinks she is a child when she has fallen in love with an older man (a Cuban, played by none other than Ricardo Montalban). She gets into some hilarious situations trying to win Montalban over. The chemistry between each cast member is perfect. Debbie Reynolds also shows much spunk as Melba. The dancing sequences, between Debbie Reynolds/Carleton Carpenter and Jane Powell/Ricardo Montalban are wonderful. The singing and the songs (which include "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "Abba-Dabba Honeymoon") are both great. It's way too unfortunate that films such as it aren't made anymore, and this film is good for the entire family! I highly recommend it to anyone.

I'm not a huge Jane Powell fan, but she looks great in this movie and I do enjoy her singing in this one. However, America's Sweetheart Miss Debbie Reynolds steals every scene she's in. I've always felt Debbie is somewhat underrated as actresses go, but she
shines in this film. Romantic and comical without being silly, this
is fine family entertainment. This is the "next generation" at MGM
showing their stuff and they show themselves proud.

This movie is charming from beginning to end. It has wonderful songs like "Oceannia Roll" and "Abba Dabba Honeymoon." Young Jane Powell and an even younger Debbie Reynolds perform magnificently. Ricardo Montalban is on hand to add class to the proceedings. This is an old-fashioned musical that classic film lovers will eat up!

Let me start off by saying that who would not love this movie? Ha? Ha?
This is a wonderful movie the whole family can, and will enjoy! Jane Powell? The pretty, blonde, fun, singer. Debbie Reynolds? The funny, determined, silly, lovestruck dancer. Ricardo Mantelbon: the handsome, gentlemanly, cuban. We have here a wonderful cast!
The plot is based around the Robinsons. A family who will not let their 17 year old daughter grow up by wearing a corset.
And all the trouble that really comes by it. Believe me, if you see it you WILL NOT regret it!

We need "ALL" of the old musicals to be released on DVD right away so we can enjoy them completely!!!

I saw this years ago and introduced it to a lot of my girl friends over the years. It seems I am not the only one who finds it very watchable, very funny, and probably one of the most hidden gems in Ricardo Montebon's movie locker.

I have long checked to see if this has come out on DVD, and to my surprise it is STILL only VHS. Tapes are being worn out here! Please consider this before yet another release of Pretty Women or some other modern movie that has spent plenty of time on the DVD shelves.

Ricardo Montalban and Jane Powell shine in this film So does Debbie Reynolds. It's a great film, and I highly recommend it!
It's entertaining.

My children and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! Jane Powell is wonderful as a teenager trying to convince her parents that she is not a child, but an adult. In her attempts to do so, she ends up in some hilarious situations. My girls and I laughed until we had tears in our eyes! Debbie Reynolds is wonderful as usual, playing the part of Melba, Jane Powell's younger sister. This is such a sweet movie, I highly recommend it. They just don't make many movies like this anymore!

From 1950, this has marvelous musical numbers staged by Busby Berkeley and incredible talent performing them.

Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds are two diminutive dynamos that play sisters vacationing in the Catskills. Great also are Louis Calhern as their father and Carleton Carpenter as a gangling young man in the mood for "spooning". The real star here though is Ricardo Montalban. What a gorgeous, graceful man. To watch him dance with Jane Powell is a joy, and YOWZA ! he looks good in those white tights...how many men could carry off an outfit like that ?!.

Sweet and funny ( the "grand and glorious 3rd" scene is hilarious !), this movie is enchanting, wonderful for the whole family, and one to enjoy repeatedly.