A Reel Retro Review: TEA FOR TWO (1950)

 With no new films to review for the foreseeable future, Reel Speak will randomly review a classic film from the TCM library every week. Not just for the sake of filling time, but to hopefully introduce some overlooked and perhaps forgotten screen gems from the past to those of us who may be unfamiliar or unawares of their existence. 

 

One of the biggest movie stars of the 1950 – 1960 era was Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff…known to the world as Doris Day. A talented actress, singer, and dancer…she was a box office draw, Oscar-winner, and lit up the screen alongside iconic names such as James Cagney, Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, and Kirk Douglas. One of her breakthroughs came in 1950 in the musical/comedy TEA FOR TWO, which was the first film in which she received top billing and marked the first time she danced on-screen. 

 

In the Roaring Twenties, Nanette Carter (Day), is a socialite with show business aspirations who agrees to fund a stage production, produced by her on-again, off-again boyfriend Larry (Billy De Wolfe), and starring her friends Jimmy (Gordon MacRae), and Tommy (Gene Nelson). Unfortunately, Nanette’s Uncle Max (S.Z. Sakall), has lost most of her money in the stock market crash due to too many investments they said “yes” to. Uncle Max agrees to get her the cash, if she can go 24 hours answering “no” to every question she is asked. 

 

TEA FOR TWO follows a busy few days in the life of Nanette as she deals with multiple issues; her ruined finances, her eagerness to break into show business with a starring role, a possible romance with Jimmy, and the fact that the entire stage production is banking on her financial commitment. All this is complicated with her uncle’s bet, which leads her to have to say “no” to many things she wants to say “yes” to, including accepting that starring role and accepting a marriage proposal. 

 

Despite the high stakes, director David Butler keeps the atmosphere light and the humor aplenty. There is a zing to the script as it is witty and sharp, and the situations Nanette finds herself in with all of her “no’s” when she wants to say “yes” are hilarious. As a film that is basically about getting a stage musical off the ground, it is very true to its roots. TEA FOR TWO is inspired by the 1925 stage musical No, No, Nanette…which is the exact play they are trying to produce for the movie. Clever. The film is a joy to take in with the humor and many song-and-dance numbers, but like most musicals of the era…there is a lot of dance numbers that feel like are in there just to fill time. With a running time of just 98 minutes, it feels about half of that is dedicated to actual story. 

 

TEA FOR TWO is Doris Day’s first film in which she is dancing on screen, and she comes off as a pro. In the story she is a shining light, and the potential for her stardom can easily be seen. Gordon MacRae, who was a singer and radio/television host, stretches his deep pipes and makes an impression. S.Z. Sakall is a blast as the uncle who just wants to put everything back together. The show is stolen by Eve Arden. Arden, who years later would play Principal McGee in GREASE (1978), draws the most laughs with her deadpan one-liners. 

 

TEA FOR TWO is bookended by Uncle Max telling his grandchildren the story of how their parents got together (slight spoiler: Nanette and Jimmy), which gives the film a once-upon-a-time feel. True to many of the musicals of this era, TEA FOR TWO is light and breezy, a lot of fun with more than one song-and-dance bit to tap our foot along. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it 

 

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Reel Facts: Director David Butler and Day would collaborate for a total of six films. Butler would go on to direct television episodes for LEAVE IT TO BEAVER (1957-1963), and WAGON TRAIN (1957-1965). Gene Nelson would win the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year for his role in TEA FOR TWO, and would reunite with Gordon MacRae for the film version of OKLAHOMA! (1955).