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Excellent but underrated film

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

In "Gold Diggers of 1933", New Yorkers were seen marching in breadlines to the tune of "My Forgotten Man". A list of Broadway theatres showed them to be mostly dark. But in this light-hearted musical, set just after the 1929 crash, there is none of that. Stockbroker S.Z. Sakall watches his niece's millions disappear into the red, not realizing that she (Doris Day) has just agreed to give $25,000 to Broadway producer boyfriend Billy DeWolfe and star in the show. Sakall quickly makes a deal with her-he will give her the money if she will not say "yes" to everything for 48 hours. Easy enough, but Sakall has every intention of making sure she doesn't win the bet. Secretary Eve Arden is assigned to spend the next 48 hours with her, and when she brings the entire cast of the show home to their Long Island estate, Sakall uses every opportunity to get her to utter the forbidden word. During all of this, Day realizes the truth about the vile DeWolfe and falls in love with the handsome leading man, Gordon MacRae.This is not the plot of the 1925 musical "No No Nanette". That was the story of a bible salesman and his wife's efforts to keep an eye on their 18 year old niece Nanette, while she is scheming to flee to Atlantic City for a weekend. The only reference to that show (other than song and character names) is the assumption that the musical DeWolfe is producing is indeed that version of "No No Nanette". Several songs from the musical (which can be heard on the cast recording of the 1971 Broadway revival) are heard, and include "Tea For Two", "I Want to Be Happy", "Call of the Sea", and "No No Nanette". Other songs by other composers from the period of 1925-1935 are heard, including "Do Do Do" (from Gershin's "Oh, Kay!"), "Crazy Rhythm", and "I Only Have Eyes For You" (from Warner's 1934 film "Dames").What you have is an early 50's version of what the depression must have been all about, which is funny considering that most of the creative team of this film were around during that time. Other than the fur coat and flapper dress worn by the children in the opening scene (which leads to the flashback telling of the story), the characters are not made up to look like what photos and films of the depression era showed them to be. The hairstyles are more late 40's than early 30's, and the outfits appear to be closer to post depression era. No matter, the film still remains extremely entertaining, with Day a lovely heroine, MacRae and Gene Nelson delightful as the juveniles, and Eve Arden giving her usually funny sarcastic performance. DeWolfe is funny in a sequence showing hopeful backers what the chorus girls will be doing, but overdoes it a bit in the Charleston scene. Patrice Wymore plays the stereotypical bitchy Bebe Daniels type leading lady.I rank this high because there is a lot of humour and joy to be found throughout. It may not be as lavish as the musicals done over at MGM (where sometimes the musicals seemed a bit "overdone"), and the scenes onstage actually appear to fit in a Broadway theatre. The "Nanette" sequence at the end is a delightful mini-movie of what the original production in 1925 may have looked like, although that was not during the depression.

Tea for Two (David Butler, 1950) - I like Doris Day, but her cheery singing and cartoonish sensibility can't save this average musical, which is hamstrung by excessive comic relief, an unsuitable setting (the onset of the Great Depression - what an amusing scenario) and characters it's very difficult to root for. The set-up is this: Day dreams of being a Broadway star, and will get her big break if she can win a bet with uncle S.Z. Sakall to say "no" to every question she's asked for 36 hours. Not only do the writers fail to mine this promising premise to convincing dramatic ends, but they hardly wring any laughs out of it either. It's left instead for Billy "Oh no, not Billy De Wolfe" De Wolfe to provide the comic relief, which is not a situation I would like to revisit any time soon.The lack of thought that went into the script is epitomised by the staggeringly artless way a gaggle of fun late-'20s songs are crowbarred into the narrative. Still, the film is lit by that good score, much of it performed by frequent co-stars Day and Gordon McRae, and some impressive hoofing from Gene Nelson - with his staircase dance the obvious high spot. Terence Davies' favourite character actress, Eve Arden, snipes agreeably in support. Tea for Two is based on the stage musical No, No, Nanette (filmed in 1930 and 1940), which is the show-within-a-film here.

I love musicals in general, but this is one of my favorites! Definitely 10 out of 10. With Doris Day in it... how can it go wrong! With an Uncle who is beside himself with the knowledge that her family money is gone and they are now broke, (because of the sudden "crash" of the stock market), he just can't bring himself to tell her. So when she wants to invest her money in a theatrical play (with herself in the lead), her Uncle makes her promise to say "No" to everything for 24 hours then he'll say OK. But.... Anything and everything happens in that 24 hours. Fun and light-hearted! A perfect combination of musical singing, acting,and comedy. I am just hoping Warner Bros will come out with it on DVD soon! hint hint :)

Tea for Two is a true classic. One of the finest performances of Doris Day. Her innocence and demeanor are portrayed wonderfully. This is one of those movies that when you know it is coming on, you tune in with your loved one and a bowl of popcorn, snuggled up on the couch. They don't make movies like this anymore, that's for sure. The music and the dancing is divine! It takes you back in time, to a place where music is essential and a simple piano is all you need to get through the day. A beautiful love story. Doris Day at her best! This was the movie that not only inspired me to want to become a musician, but taught me about true love and being oneself. One of these days, I'm going to own an old inn and have dancers and musicians storm my house to perform. What an awesome rendition of No, No Nannette! Great JOB!