Tammy and the Bachelor
Tags: romantic, storytelling

Plot synopsis:
Tambrey "Tammy" Tyree (Debbie Reynolds) is a seventeen-year-old girl living in a houseboat in Mississippi (within sight of Louisiana) with her Grandpa, John Dinwitty (Walter Brennan). She runs around barefoot, dreaming of life outside of the swamp, and talking to her best friend, Nan, a goat.
One day in the swamp, Tammy and her grandfather locate the wreckage of a plane the grandfather had heard crash and discover the unconscious body of Peter Brent (Leslie Nielsen). Tammy and her grandfather help Peter recover at their home, during which time Tammy falls in love with Peter. However, he must return to his own home, but tells the grandfather that, if anything happened to the grandfather, Tammy would be welcome to come and stay with Peter at his spacious house.
Several weeks later, Tammy's grandfather is arrested for making moonshine. With no one else to stay with, Tammy sets off for Brentwood Hall, Peter's home. She arrives during a dance rehearsal and sees Peter with his friends. When Peter's friend Ernie discovers Tammy outside of the party, Tammy tries to explain her grandfather's imprisonment; however, Peter misunderstands, and tells Mrs. Brent (Fay Wray) that Tammy's grandfather has died, leading the Brents to take her in. Tammy learns that Peter is busy with "Brentwood #6", an experimental tomato he is growing in hopes of making Brentwood Hall self-sustaining once again. After Tammy finally tells everyone that her grandfather isn't actually dead, Mrs. Brent is upset over Tammy announcing to everyone that she has a relative in jail. However, Peter and his Aunt Renie convince Tammy to stay, leading her to sing of her love for Peter.
Peter's love interest drops by Brentwood Hall. Her uncle wants Peter to stop experimenting with tomatoes and offers him a deal to come to work with him in the advertising business. Peter turns down the offer. That week is also Pilgrimage Week, which includes a ball and tours of Brentwood Hall, all while in costume. Renie gives Tammy the dress Peter's great-grandmother wore. Mrs. Brent and Renie suggest that Tammy pretend to be Great-Grandmother Cratchett for the evening. At the Ball that night, Tammy tells a story for the guests, and enchants everyone, even Mrs. Brent.
That night, a hail storm hits Brentwood Hall and destroys all of the Brentwood #6s. The next morning, Peter announces that he is going to accept the advertising offer, leading Tammy to run away. Peter realizes he loves Tammy, finds Tammy's grandfather, and returns to the houseboat, where he kisses her.

Review: I saw this picture, right after seeing "Bundle of Joy," thus hoping for Debbie Reynolds patented radiance to be evident in this film as was the case with the former film.
No one but Debbie could have performed Tammy any better (the song and the character).
As to Leslie Nielsen, well, I saw a completely different side to his acting ability that we are not used to today.
Although never rated a "ten" by most, I was 10 years old in 1957 when my mom took me to see this movie.
Quite naturally I immediately fell in love with Debbie Reynolds while hoping to wind up looking something like Leslie Nielsen at the same time.
One`s age at the time a movie is first seen determines a lot.
She was sweet and innocent, the song very beautiful and the leading man, although a little unsure of himself, was honorable.
I have seen all 3 Tammys & without a doubt Debbie is the BEST.
Debbie Reynolds is just too good in this role!
I adore Sandra Dee, but she is Gidget to me (except for sally field in the TV series), & Debbie will always be Tammy.
If you haven't seen this, get your girlfriends, & daughters together & watch a movie that is good, wholesome & even has a great ending.
I watch this over & over as do any movie with Debbie Reynolds..
Case in point--Tammy, a girl living on the bayou with her Grandfather in a houseboat, dreaming dreams and never going anywhere.
So that when a handsome pilot crashes near the houseboat and she nurses him back to health, it seems perfectly natural that she and Nan her goat should walk all the way to find him to ask him to return the help, when Grandpa is taken away--not by death as the family of the pilot and he believe but by the authorities, because he has been making corn liquor instead of confining himself to preaching.
Once she arrives, Tammy affects the life of every person she encounters from the cook to the real owner of the mansion, a whimsical Aunt who has always wanted to be a painter and live a Bohemian life in New Orleans.
While she pursues the pilot, affianced to a stuck-up girl who does not understand him, she gets involved in the great tomato project, the lives of guests and family, the amorous fantasy of Pete's best friend, the annual historical reenactment--wherein Aunt Renie dresses Tammy in a low-cut gown like some modern transforming fairy godmother--and more.
So Grandpa is released from jail just in time to see the boy come after Tammy to tell her she's his girl, forever.
Fay Wray is thin-lipped as a disapproving mother, Leslie Nielsen is very good as the pilot; Sidney Blackmer would have been Academy Award caliber as the father of this dysfunctional family if the author had given him more lines; Mildred Natwick as the artist aunt, Aunt Renie, has one of her best roles else.
Frank Skinner provided music, while Livingstone and Evans wrote the hit theme song, "Tammy".
Millions of moviegoer disagreed; the danger in the character of Tammy is that she is a pseudo-religious figure at basis, an "uncorrupted child of nature who brings the sinful rich folks in the big city back to the Lord and honest ways".
What happens is that an unspoiled young girl, only somewhat glossy and overly-cute thanks to the author of her novel, comes across on screen in the person of Debbie Reynolds as an very attractive version of the country mouse, the Man From Mars, the outsider--the one who comes in somewhere and by being honest sees through and works to undo the pretensions of everyone she meets.
although certain scenes are very strong, and the dialogue coming from Tammy is often amusing; but it is more than occasionally heightened realism, which is called 'fiction", a very scarce commodity these past thirty years in case anyone has forgotten what it looks like.
The Tammy character as revived in several sequels with some charm but nowhere near the original effect..
"Cute" movie for the time it was released.
I still like the movie for its simple message: one should be judged by his/her character, not by social status.
"Tammy" was the first song that I ever sang in a talent contest (and I won first place), so I have a reason to remember the title song with much interest.
Such movies don't wear as well with time as the classics, but they're nice to remember and to watch again..
It's hard to believe that Debbie Reynolds did this movie 5 years after Singin' In The Rain.
It seems like she should have played Tammy 5 years before Singin'.
Reynolds infuses some complexity in the role - check out her sly grin when Leslie Nielsen picks her up in the barn.
In the two sequels Sandra Dee came very close to crossing that annoying line.Besides Reynolds, the other treat is the great cast around her.
It was fun to see a young Leslie Nielsen in a straight role as the leading man and Mildred Natwick does her usual excellent job (why did she never get more Oscar recognition).
Fay Wray, Walter Brennan, Philip Ober & Sidney Blackmer also do a great job.The director, Joseph Pevney, should get credit for keeping the story moving forward and not getting bogged down in the corny aspects of the movie.
Had i been more than 1 years old when this movie came out, I'm sure it would have been a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon..
Debbie Reynolds plays a 17-year-old girl from the bayou who goes to stay with a friendly pilot (Leslie Nielsen) and his society folks after her grandfather gets thrown into jail.
Good support from Walter Brennan, Fay Wray, and the always fun Mildred Natwick.
Followed by two sequels in 1961 and 1963, with Sandra Dee taking over the role of Tammy, as well as a failed mid-'60s television series.
Watched on AMC classics for the first time 2 weeks ago..
I thought the movie was great considering that I had no interest in watching it in the first place.
Not my style of movie (I like action or adventure), but I liked Tammy enough to want to rent it if it's not on AMC again.
At the same time, she pines for the son's affections despite his snobbish girlfriend.Okay, after 70-some years of breathing my brain is turning to mush—Reynolds is charming, the song's cute, and I even enjoyed the suds this time around.
Truth be told, I still like Roger Corman's quickies and, of course, Elvis forever.Nonetheless, in my now geezer opinion, the movie's a charmer, with occasional brain teasing moments.
Tammy's a role the spunky Reynolds was born to play.
For example, when Tammy comes up with "of a carnal nature" while fending off masher Ernie's eager advances, I had to rerun the passage to make sure I heard correctly.What also catches my eye this time is the subtle romancing of the ante-bellum South.
1957 was about the peak year for showy fender fins that seemingly stretch into the great beyond.Anyway, sociology aside, my age may be showing, but this time around I found the movie charming and occasionally insightful.
Debbie Reynolds like so many of contract stars was being cut loose from MGM and she sure was fortunate enough to get this film which turned out to be one of her iconic roles.
Debbie Reynolds is really something special as the back woods bayou girl with an uncommon amount of common sense.In her memoirs she had a lot to say about Tammy.
First off she had to watch that crafty old scene stealer Walter Brennan playing her grandfather whom she lives with on the bayou.
That man did not win three Oscars for nothing, but fortunately he's only in the film in the first 15 minutes before the revenuers clap him in the pokey.At that point Reynolds takes up an invitation to stay with Leslie Nielsen's family.
She and Brennan had rescued Nielsen from a plane crash near their bayou home on the Mississippi.
She had a lot of problems with Nielsen as Leslie at the time was not the lovable oaf Frank Drebbin that we later got to know.
She took some satisfaction in her memoirs at pointing that at the time she thought Nielsen had a great gift for comedy if he'd relax and forget the Stanislavsky.
In the movie The Ames Brothers sing it over the title credits and Reynolds sings it during the film.
The popularity of the record caused Universal to re- release the film and it was a smash.Despite Nielsen's serious demeanor and Brennan's irrepressible scene stealing, no doubt this film belongs to Debbie Reynolds.
56 years after it was first release, Debbie will charm the pants off you in this role.
Notice what's good about Tammy and the Bachelor, and you will find that nearly everything about it is well-done.
Setting is filmed beautifully, simply, naturally well-lit, visually interesting, full of the character which defines the personalities (Tammy the swamp child, Peter the affluent southern gentleman.) Acted superbly: there is no hamming, no larger-than-life glamor which would ring false.
Withal, of course, there is little conflict in the film: only Tammy's adolescent coming-of-age in a modern world.
But put them together with Walter Brennan and Fay Wray and a good script and a good cinematographer and the result is this film, which has its own light and sentimental rewards.
Wow. I love all Tammy's movies.
I think I am the youngest to ever love these movies at my age.
I would like to know if any one no where to buy her movies.
Sandra Lee is a good Tammy but I think Debbie was just suite able for the role of Tammy.
I was wondering why all old movies had hardly any bad language in them like the movies know days have a ton of bad language in them you can't find one that doesn't.
They are all great movies so you all should watch them over and over..
Another classic family story about a young girl with a goat (Debbie Reynolds) who meets a handsome bachelor (Leslie Nielsen) while hitchhiking, then falls in love with him.
Fill it in with some interesting plot twists, nice romantic touches and a very family-friendly feel, this appealing film is quite a good example of fine family filmmaking.
The first and only one starring Debbie Reynolds..
Tammy (Debbie Reynolds) lives there with her grandfather (Walter Brennan) and she knows nothing about life outside her little part of the world.
When a pilot unexpectedly drops in (literally), Tammy falls for Peter Brent (Leslie Nielson) but their time together is rather brief.
But, when Tammy is left alone when grandpa is sent to jail for moonshining, she goes to the city to stay with Peter and his family.The story is a sweet little romance film.
Excellent writing and acting and direction make this a sweet story...one well worth your time..
Debbie Reynolds once again plays a barefoot backwoods naive maiden.
This time she saves a strapping young man portrayed by Leslie Nielsen (as you've probably never seen him before) that crashes on the Mississippi near her houseboat.
Soon her Grandpa gets hauled off to jail for selling illegal corn liquor and Debbie err Tammy sets out to find the young man and stays with his family for a spell.
Tammy's kooky speech and naivete provide a variety of comical moments.Worth a rental if you are a Debbie Reynolds fan..
17 year old Tammy (Debbie Reynolds) is a tomboy from the deep Mississippi swamps.
She and grandpa rescue airplane crash survivor Peter Brent (Leslie Nielsen).
The Brents are preparing to host the Rebel Ball and tours of Brentwood Hall.It's old fashion like the theme song.
Reynolds is great doing the gosh darn thing although she's getting a little old to play the teenager.
A younger Leslie Nielsen is playing a fine leading man.
I really enjoy seeing this film...every time.
You can't compare it to the subsequent Tammy films because this is so much better.
Even though Tammy still comes across as a major league hick, Debbie Reynolds imbues her with such character that she seems to be a real person.
No offense to Sandra Dee (and MUCH offense to Debbie Watson who was just plain HORRIBLE as Tammy), but they don't even come close to the original.
I love hearing Debbie sing TAMMY'S IN LOVE...makes the young girl in me sigh!
I also enjoy seeing Leslie Nielsen in a dramatic role (well, as dramatic as you can get in this type of a movie).
He was quite the handsome man (not that he isn't now...but when I see him now I think of Frank Drebbin!) This is exactly what it purports to be...a sweet film.However, in comment to another's review, Tammy didn't meet her bachelor hitchhiking, did she?
Debbie Reynolds as Tammy.
5 years after "Singin' in the Rain," Debbie Reynolds cemented her standing in Hollywood and make herself even more likable to her fans, with her role of "Tammy." Tammy lives with her grandpa, played by Walter Brennan, on his boat in the Mississippi swamps.
Being one with nature from a young age, she has come to know that material things do not make one happy, but instead a deep relationship with her bible and God. She has had a quiet yet very contented childhood, but only just lately she has been yearning for someone to swoop down and get her and wondering if anything will ever happen to her.
Life and love hit her in the form of Leslie Nielsen, when his plane crashes close by.
If you love Debbie Reynolds and her buoyant personality, then this is a must for your list of films to see.
The film may seem at times to be too simple and undemanding, but then again that's its appeal.
An added plus is seeing Debbie Reynolds singing, "Tammy," a very sweet song, which became a big hit for her own singing career.
Costarring Mildred Natwick, who is yearning to break free from Leslie's eccentric family, this is a feel-good film that can be seen on TCM from time to time.
I can still see Debbie looking out the window singing, "Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love....".
What makes "Tammy" special is the script and the players!.
It was certainly one of the studio's top grosses and — thanks to a hit record of the title song — was equally if not more successful in Australia and New Zealand.COMMENT: By the humble standards of director Joseph Pevney, "Tammy" is superior entertainment.
Aside from a confrontation scene between Nielsen and Hill, with Reynolds caught in the middle, Pevney has used CinemaScope so sparingly one wonders why Universal took the trouble.
And even discounting this omission, Pevney has hardly handled proceedings with anything like style.If we look at the ultra-glossy efforts of producer Ross Hunter, "Tammy" is definitely in the minor league.
Yes, the sets, costumes and color are moderately attractive but hardly "All That Heaven Allows".What makes "Tammy" special is the script and the players.
The plot is a variation of that old chestnut Abraham Lincoln was laughing at, but the players, especially Miss Debbie Reynolds, make it all seem reasonably fresh, tolerably amusing and even engaging.OTHER VIEWS: Blessed with a catchy title song and the appealing presence of Debbie Reynolds, "Tammy" is an entertaining rustic versus urban conflict, with lots of biblical, cracker-barrel philosophy doing battle with genteel impoverishment.
That the old formula can still strike more than a few sparks is a tribute to the players generally, Debbie Reynolds and Mildred Natwick in particular.That "Tammy" struck a sympathetic chord in 1957 picture-goers is evidenced by the fact that it inspired not only three sequels, but a TV series (1965-66) as well.
Unfortunately, Debbie Reynolds had moved further towards super-stardom when "Tammy Tell Me True" was released in 1961 and "Tammy and the Doctor" in 1963, so Sandra Dee took her place in both these entries.
Debbie Watson starred in the TV series where the character was called Tammy Tarleton (doubtless because "Tyree" was too difficult to pronounce in time-pressed television set-ups).
In 1967, Universal released a movie, "Tammy and the Millionaire", culled from three of the TV episodes.
Debbie Reynolds plays a country gal, Tammy, raised on a houseboat next to a river by her moonshinin' pa Walter Brennan.
As I was watching the film, I kept wondering how it would have played if they had actually cast somebody who looked or felt even remotely like a hillbilly.
But this film exists in some kind of Pollyanna time warp, its down-home Americanisms pushing skinny Debbie Reynolds into the over-sized and outdated shoes of Mary Pickford where they are unsurprisingly uncomfortable.
Leslie Nielsen's performance is a study in generic male appeal with no real personality.
The film's only redeeming quality, for those not already intoxicated with the talents of Debbie Reynolds, is the colorful set design and costumes which are captured faithfully and unimaginatively by Arthur Arling's photography.
This is basically a movie for people who like TV.
If you watched "Wonderful World of Disney" every Sunday night back in the 70s, then you might enjoy this completely vanilla film.
It's not as if the film-makers weren't aware of what they were doing and, "oh it was a different time" -- if that were the case, they would not have put that little scene where Tammy and the maid discuss how distasteful the whole thing is.
Tammy could have said something about it and took a stand, but she's not really the heroine that all the characters in the movie make her out to be.
She's just another movie naif who we're supposed to adore, for no particular reason except that she's Debbie Reynolds in pigtails.