Tammy and the Bachelor [Tammy] *** (1957, Debbie Reynolds, Walter Brennan, Leslie Nielsen, Mala Powers, Fay Wray, Sidney Blackmer, Mildred Natwick) – Classic Movie Review 5511

Debbie Reynolds (1932–2016) stars in the first, and by far the best of the four Tammy films, all loosely based on the stories by Cid Ricketts Sumner.

Here the kind-hearted, plucky young riverboat heroine Tammy Tyree (Reynolds) helps rich airman Peter ‘Pete’ Brent (Leslie Nielsen) back to health when his plane crashes in the Mississippi swamp. Pete goes home to his fiancée, but when her Grandpa sends Tammy to stay with Pete, they gradually fall in love.

Yes it is sugary and sentimental, but it is also smoothly and appealingly played by all concerned, with a fine cast of old-timers infectiously giving the impression of enjoying themselves. Walter Brennan makes a lip-smacking meal of his part as Tammy’s grumpy lay-preacher-cum-moonshiner Grandpa and Wray is fun as Pete’s Gone with the Wind-mad mom Mrs Brent. And Mala Powers, Sidney Blackmer, Mildred Natwick, Louise Beavers, Philip Ober, Craig Hill and April Kent are also in that strong cast.

It runs 89 minutes, is a Universal film, is written by Oscar Brodney, is shot in widescreen and Technicolor by Arthur E Arling, is produced by Ross Hunter, and is scored by Joseph Gershenson.

The hit theme song Tammy, with music and lyrics by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, is sung over the opening credits by the Ames Brothers and later in the film sung by Debbie Reynolds at her bedroom window sill.

Sandra Dee takes over from Reynolds as Tammy Tyree for the follow-up, Tammy, Tell Me True (1961).

Debbie Reynolds (1932–2016).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5511

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