Tea for Two (1950) is a Song-and-Dance celebration about losing money in the 1929 stock market crash.
What, you don’t think economic collapse is a good subject for a musical?
The film is also about staging a Big Show on Broadway, where, according to old Hollywood, lost fortunes are always restored.
Tea for Two is loosely based on the 1924 Broadway play, No, No, Nanette, which was a Huge Hit in New York and London. Nanette itself was based on the 1919 play My Lady Friends.
Tea for Two stars Doris Day as a wealthy young woman who makes a wager with her newly-impoverished uncle (S.Z. Sakall): She must say “No” to all requests for the next 24 hours. In exchange, her (formerly) rich uncle will pay her $25,000 – the amount needed to fund a new production for which her boyfriend-to-be (Gordon MacRae) is writing the songs.
Unfortunately for Day, these 24 hours include a marriage proposal and a chance to star in a Broadway play. (Haven’t we all been presented with such opportunities in a single 24-hour period?)
It’s enjoyable to see Day in this romp, despite the flimsy plot and the 1950s fashions worn in 1920s New York. But never mind that; this is Day’s Star Vehicle, and there’s hardly a moment we’re not conscious of it.
Ironically, it’s this putting-all-your-eggs-in-one-basket that could sink Tea for Two – torpedo it, actually – but Day keeps it afloat because (A) this is Her Movie, and (B) she’s just that good.
Tea for Two is a film where the men control the money, but the women Make Things Happen – a perfect story for Day to prove her box office mettle.
There are some notable Firsts here. It was the first time Day’s name appeared above the title, and it was the first time she danced on screen. It was also the first time MacRae starred as her leading man. (The pair would appear in four more comedy musicals.)
Day proves she has good comic timing, and she’s best during her 24-hour “NO NO NO” spree. You can see her struggling to say “Yes”, especially when it comes to the marriage and Broadway offers. We know Day could give carefully-worded answers to the affirmative, but where’s the fun in that?
Our gal Doris knows what the audience wants, and she Delivers.
There’s a marvellous cast in Tea for Two, including the fab Eve Arden, who, naturally, has the best lines in the film.
In one scene, the entire theatre company is invited to bunk out at Day’s estate, with Arden as de facto camp counsellor. “I have 32 cots to make up, and I’m three sheets to the wind,” she quips.
Billy De Wolfe stars a slimy Broadway producer who tries to romance as many women as possible, Day included. Alas, he’s not the brightest bulb in the marquee, and he can’t Keep Up with these savvy gals.
The script is a bit thin, but it does have some delightful running gags such as a radio announcement from the American president regarding the stock market crash: “The fundamental business of the country is on a sound and prosperous basis.”
If you’re a Doris Day fan who hasn’t yet seen Tea for Two, you know what you need to do.
Tea for Two: starringDoris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson. Directed by David Butler. Written by Harry Clork. Warner Bros., 1950, Technicolor, 98 mins.
I can’t believe I haven’t seen this movie yet! Personally, I think MacRae is Day’s best co-star. They have great chemistry. Love them in On Moonlight Bay and By the Light of the Silvery Moon.
This movie was on in the background on a busy day when I was visiting my mom, so I only saw bits and pieces. From your delightful review, it looks like there’s plenty of good stuff in store! I remember Cuddles was, as always, adorable 🙂
I think you’d get a kick out of this film. Good music, and fab sets & costumes (even if the wardrobe isn’t quite true to the 1920s). Doris, of course, is magnificent as is Cuddles.
While this hasn’t become one of my personal faves, there is still a lot to enjoy in this film, namely the cast and the musical numbers. And I have to single out Gene Nelson! He never fails to astound me, and I just adore his dancing with Day.
Loved your write-up Ruth. I’ve never seen this one! Actually, the only Doris Day musical I’ve ever seen is Love Me or Leave Me (which I don’t think of as a musical). Anyway, this one sounds like fun. And I know what to do!
I definitely never thought economic collapse would make a good subject for a musical! It’s fantastic that in a film about women making things happen, Day herself achieves several firsts.
You’re right about Doris’s firsts in this film, and about women making things happen. At first glance it seems like the men are in charge, but it soon becomes obvious they are not. A delightful surprise for a film released in 1950.
I confess I am a long time fan of Doris Day and her sunny disposition on screen and her wardrobes, particularly in some of her romantic comedies back in the 60’s. I seem to remember that she wanted to be a dancer at one point, but those plans were derailed after a car accident where she shattered one of her legs. So you’re right, her dancing in Tea for Two was a novelty.
Another one for the watchlist! It’s nice that Doris got to work with Eve Arden and S.Z. Sakall. Wonder if she ever had the urge to pinch Sakall’s cheeks.
Silver Screenings 
All I can think of when I see her hair is “bobby pins”.
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So true! Plus lots of hair spray, amirite?
Have you ever posted on your site about hair spray, eg chemical composition & how
it works?
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No. Only about hair dyes and straighteners. Great idea!
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I LOVE the idea of this movie and to see Doris restraining herself from saying yes… yes and YES!
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Haha! She’s really good in those scenes.
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Great look back at these classic movies and the career of Doris Day. My mum always like Doris Day films 🙂
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Your mother sounds like a woman of exceptional taste.
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I can’t believe I haven’t seen this movie yet! Personally, I think MacRae is Day’s best co-star. They have great chemistry. Love them in On Moonlight Bay and By the Light of the Silvery Moon.
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They do have great chemistry, don’t they? Gordon MacRae had so much talent. However, I have to admit I’m partial to Day’s pairing with Rock Hudson.
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This movie was on in the background on a busy day when I was visiting my mom, so I only saw bits and pieces. From your delightful review, it looks like there’s plenty of good stuff in store! I remember Cuddles was, as always, adorable 🙂
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I think you’d get a kick out of this film. Good music, and fab sets & costumes (even if the wardrobe isn’t quite true to the 1920s). Doris, of course, is magnificent as is Cuddles.
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While this hasn’t become one of my personal faves, there is still a lot to enjoy in this film, namely the cast and the musical numbers. And I have to single out Gene Nelson! He never fails to astound me, and I just adore his dancing with Day.
Thanks for contributing to my event!
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Gene Nelson is pretty amazing, isn’t he? It’s a wonder he never became a much bigger star.
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She was always so upbeat–what a great-sounding film!
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Fab colours and music in this film, and, of course, a happy Hollywood ending. A good one to watch if you’re having an off day.
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Loved your write-up Ruth. I’ve never seen this one! Actually, the only Doris Day musical I’ve ever seen is Love Me or Leave Me (which I don’t think of as a musical). Anyway, this one sounds like fun. And I know what to do!
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Haha! Tea for Two has a very thin story, but there are lots of other things to make up for it, including Doris herself.
You’ve given me a task as well: I have yet to see Love Me or Leave Me, and I’ll do that soon.
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I definitely never thought economic collapse would make a good subject for a musical! It’s fantastic that in a film about women making things happen, Day herself achieves several firsts.
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You’re right about Doris’s firsts in this film, and about women making things happen. At first glance it seems like the men are in charge, but it soon becomes obvious they are not. A delightful surprise for a film released in 1950.
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I confess I am a long time fan of Doris Day and her sunny disposition on screen and her wardrobes, particularly in some of her romantic comedies back in the 60’s. I seem to remember that she wanted to be a dancer at one point, but those plans were derailed after a car accident where she shattered one of her legs. So you’re right, her dancing in Tea for Two was a novelty.
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Doris Day is truly fabulous on screen, isn’t she? You can hardly take your eyes off her.
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Always enjoyed watching Doris, such a classic. Thank you for the memories.
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Doris Day was truly special, wasn’t she? She always made a film better
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Another one for the watchlist! It’s nice that Doris got to work with Eve Arden and S.Z. Sakall. Wonder if she ever had the urge to pinch Sakall’s cheeks.
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Haha! I bet they ALL had the urge to pinch his cheeks.
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I know I would, lol. 🙂
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