tammy and the bachelor

the year: 1957

the genre: comedy


the cast: Debbie Reynolds (Tambrey "Tammy" Tyree); Leslie Nielsen (Peter Brent); Walter Brennan (John "Grampa" Dinwitty); Mildred Natwick (Aunt Renie)


the plot: When Pete's plane crashes in the swamp, he's rescued by young Tammy, an unsophisticated backwoods girl who lives with her lay-preacher/moonshiner grandfather. When Pete's well, he goes back home to his fiancée. But then Grampa gets sent to jail and he sends Tammy to stay with Pete. At Pete's house, Tammy's home cooking, enthusiasm and quaint sunshiny personality bring about changes in Pete's family and in Pete himself.



don't miss: Aunt Renie's paintings.




did you know: when the movie was initially released, it fared poorly in theaters. On a whim, the studio released Debbie Reynold's song "Tammy" from the movie. The song spent 23 weeks on the "Top 40" charts, and was #1 for five weeks. After the success of the song, the studio rereleased the film. It did MUCH better.




listen for: "She loves him for richer...but not for poorer!"



extra bonus points: if you recognize the actress who played Peter's mother and know why she's famous.






also listen for: "I'm not a wolf-on-the-make Pete."




count: Leslie Nielsen's dimples. (sigh.) He was a looker at this age.



you can watch the movie in parts, starting here.

the one and only, genuine, original family band

the year: 1968

the genre: musical


the cast: Walter Brennan (Grandpa Bower); Buddy Ebsen (Calvin Bower); Lesley Ann Warren (Alice Bower); John Davidson (Joe Carder); Kurt Russell (Sidney Bower)


the plot: In 1888, Grandpa Bower - a passionate Democrat - heads a family band who he hopes will be able to perform at the convention for Grover Cleveland's presidential campaign in St. Louis. The twist is that Grandpa's son Calvin is a Republican. So is Joe Carder, an outspoken young charmer who has his eyes on the eldest Bower daughter Alice. Carder speaks with passion about southern Dakota and its quest for statehood. What will happen once Carder convinces the Bower family to move on out to Dakota?


don't miss: John Davidson's dimples.




watch for: Goldie Hawn's enthusiastic movie debut as The Giggly Girl. She and Kurt Russell met during filming.



also don't miss: the food fight/moustache painting that goes on between those who endorse "statesmanship" and "politics".



did you know: Bing Crosby was originally offered the Grandpa Bower role, but he wanted a percentage of the box office receipts.





extra bonus points: if you know which famous musician released "'Bout Time" and "Ten Feet Off the Ground" on an album.





did you also know: that the project was originally intended to be a 2-part television movie and was expanded to feature film status.

to have and have not

the year: 1944

the genre: suspense


the cast: Humphrey Bogart (Harry "Steve" Morgan); Lauren Bacall (Marie "Slim" Browning); Walter Brennan (Eddie); Hoagy Carmichael (Cricket); Dan Seymour (Captain Renard); Sheldon Leonard (Lt. Coyo)


the plot: Harry Morgan and his alcoholic sidekick, Eddie, are based on the island of Martinique and crew a boat available for hire. WWII is affecting business and after a customer who owes them a large sum fails to pay, they are forced against their better judgement to violate their preferred neutrality and to take a job for the resistance - transporting a fugitive on the run from the Nazis to Martinique. Through all this runs the stormy relationship between Morgan and Marie "Slim" Browning, a resistance sympathizer and the sassy singer in the club where Morgan spends most of his days.


don't miss: the famous line: "You know you don't have to act with me, Steve. You don't have to say anything, and you don't have to do anything. Not a thing. Oh, maybe just whistle. You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and... blow."


count: how many scenes feature Mme. Hellene de Bursac compared to Slim. Dolores Moran was originally scripted to be the lead actress and Humphrey Bogart's romantic interest, but her role was shrunk to make room for Lauren Bacall.


listen for: "I'm hard to get, Steve. All you have to do is ask me."


did you know: Hoagy Carmichael played most of his scenes with a matchstick in his teeth. Seeing this on the set at the start of shooting, Humphrey Bogart gave kudos to Carmichael, telling him that the matchstick was a nice touch and would make him stand out in the film. Carmichael was surprised afterward to see a scene being filmed with Bogart and Walter Brennan, both of them chewing matchsticks throughout the shot. They finally revealed that they were having a bit of fun at Hoagy's expense.


extra bonus points: if you know why this film was important to Bogart/Bacall.