estherwalker-34710 Review of Tammy Tell Me True

Tammy Tell Me True (1961)

The corn grows tall, but Tammy will charm you in this quite novel adaptation of the classic Cinderella fairy tale.

[8/10 · 10 November 2021]

Sandra Dee replaces Debbie Reynolds in this second installment of the adventures of late teen Tammy Tyre, begun 4 years earlier in "Tammy and the Bachelor". This time, Tammy finds a new bachelor in handsome John Gaven, as college instructor Tom Freeman: a seemingly most unlikely pairing, with Tammy a poor 'river girl', with no formal education, ignorant of most of the ways of the world, in her isolation, and speaking an extreme version of 'southern hillbilly'. In contrast, Tom is a well educated displaced Yankee blueblood. However, it was destined to become an alternative version of the classic Cinderella fairy tale. It was clear almost from their first chance meeting that there was a special attraction between them, but they were hesitant to admit it for quite a while, because of the taboo against teacher-student overt romantic relationships, in Tom's case, and Tammy's disbelieve that a handsome man such as Tom could harbor a serious ambition to eventually wed her, despite her beauty, charm, and spunky personality. Also, she still has hopes that her former boyfriend, who went off to an agricultural college, is still interested in her. Eventually, Tammy clearly gets the message that Tom is serious about her, and twice she tries to extract a kiss from him, only to be frustrated by a hesitant Tom. Finally, at film's end, they can no longer hold back, and enjoy a dangerous daylight, on campus, romantic kiss and hug. .............. Every Cinderella story needs a villain. Instead of a wicked stepmother, here it's Julia Meade, as Suzanne Rook: the evil niece guardian of her wealthy elderly aunt: Annie Rook Call, played by the veteran actress Beulah Bondi. Suzanne is actually interested in gaining control of Annie's considerable bank roll, rather than promoting her psychological and physical welfare. Fortunately, Tammy is assigned, by the Dean of Women, the job of being her companion much of the time. At first, Annie is put off by some of Tammy's 'river girl' habits and extreme accent, but she soon warms up to Tammy, and accepts her invitation to move into her shanty houseboat, without telling Suzanne. Annie loves it there and increasingly loves Tammy. Unfortunately, Suzanne eventually calls the police to find out where Annie is. Eventually, Suzanne runs into Tammy at the post office and notices that she is wearing a unique necklace, that Annie usually wore. Suzanne calls a policeman to arrest Tammy on suspecion of kidnapping and theft. Next we see Tammy in jail, talking to Annie's lawyer, learning that Annie has been put in a mental institution, based on suspecion of being senile, incapable of managing her affairs. The film can't end like this, so a preliminary hearing is arranged over whether Annie is deemed mentally competent to handle her own affairs. Fortunately, charismatic veteran character actor and former dentist Edgar Buchannan plays the presiding judge, famous for his common scence approach to things. Unfortunately, things are going badly for Annie via the prosecution's witnesses. Then, it's time for Tammy to take the stand in her defense. As you might guess, Tammy's testimony trumps the prosecution's witnesses, in the judge's mind, and Tammy is hailed as a hero. ..........I thought Sandy did a fantastic job, switching from playing a former California surfer's moll, in "Gidget", to mastering an unforgettable extreme 'southern hillbilly' lingo and persona. This film is often compared unfavorably with Debbie's "Tammy and the Bachelor", but I rate them the same. I will admit that Debbie's version of the song 'Tammy's in Love' is more memorable than Sandy's version. Also, I had to take a point off for the admittedly excess corn, at times. Also, we are missing the always charismatic Walter Brennan, as Tammy's grandfather(he being in jail for selling moonshine corn whiskey)...........Sandy and Gravin would again costar as a romantic couple, in "Romanoff and Juliet", which I haven't seen.