Com Amor no Coração

Sandra Dee assumes the role of Tammy Tyree, uneducated backwoods girl living on a shanty boat on the Mississippi River, formerly played by Debbie Reynolds in 1957's "Tammy and the Bachelor". There's not much connection between the two films aside from our heroine: Tammy's beau has disappeared to agricultural college and her grandpa has been jailed for making corn liquor without a license. Producer Ross Hunter, he of the well-upholstered "women's films" popular in the 1950s, would seem an odd choice for a romantic comedy about a Bible-quotin' young gal without any schoolin'--or an impressive wardrobe--hankerin' to go to college, but at least the production is bright and cheery, like Tammy herself. Dee does well in the lead, while Hunter has her comfortably paired with John Gavin, her crush from "Imitation of Life" (he was too old for her there--and he's probably too old for her here--but they have an easy rapport). Tammy's plain-spoken, unpretentious nature garners her a friend in Beulah Bondi's wealthy dowager, Mrs. Call, which offers some pleasant asides and a satisfying wrap-up in court. Glossy, perky, but also exceptionally thin and sugary...likely to cause bad reactions in viewers not in the mood for a heavy helping of syrup. Dee played Tammy again in 1963's somewhat improved "Tammy and the Doctor." ** from ****

"Tammy Tell Me True" is the sequel to and second film of a series of four that began with "Tammy and the Bachelor" in 1957. The series is based on a 1948 novel by Cid Ricketts Sumner, "Tammy Out of Time." It is set in the bayou country of southern Louisiana and Mississippi around New Orleans.

Debbie Reynolds was the original Tammy Tyree, but four years later she could hardly pass as a teenager as she had been a 17-year-old in 1957, at the age of 25. So, her role was taken over by the now closer to age, Sandra Dee, at 19. And, she does a fairly good job in the role.

The story picks up right where the other one left off, except that Peter Brent has gone off to college. There's a little incongruity here because he wasn't a high school or college kid in the first one, but a young man in his mid-to-late 20s. At least that's how his character was portrayed, along with his fiancé. But, skipping over that, Tammy has been staying with the Brent's at their estate which is in a hilly part of Mississippi, when she decides she needs some formal schooling. Even without having attended school, she is knowledgeable enough in reading and writing to be accepted in a special student assistance program at Seminola College.

Another anomaly appears here, when Tammy gets her houseboat towed downriver to tie up across the swamps near the college campus. As nearly as one can tell, the college must be in or very close to New Orleans, so, it's a real stretch to imagine that there was a bayou place along the river above there from which Tammy moved downstream.

All of that aside, Sandra Dee does a fairly good job, continuing the bayou drawl and lingo. She falls for a speech teacher, Tom Freeman (played by John Gavin) and concludes that her love for Pete was probably just infatuation with the first real man of her age in her life. This story has a good new sub-plot with some good new characters, as Tammy becomes a companion of an elderly lady and winds up helping another couple get their marriage back on track.

The supporting cast has more well-known actors of the day in Beulah Bondi, Charles Drake, Cecil Kellaway, Virginian Grey and others. The is a good continuation of the story, with good performances, but not quite up to the fresh first story with its stars and great performances.

Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Annie Rook Call, paying the boat captain who takes her out to Tammy's houseboat, "Here you are. Remember, not one word to anyone." Captain Armand, "Compared to me, madame, a corpse talks too much."

Tammy, "I'd like the fastest stamp you got, please." Post office clerk (Alan DeWitt, uncredited), "Air mail - we haven't switched to rockets yet."

I just watched this movie for the first time and I was completely hooked! The main actress has so much spunk and sincerity. I discovered that her real name is Sandra Dee. I had heard of Sandra Dee, but I had never seen her before. I think she was a fabulous actress! Also, this movie has a timeless story which could apply in any era. I loved the movie and Sandra Dee was amazing. I think Sandra Dee could have acted in any era. I was born in 1975 and it is difficult for me to relate to the acting style of older movies before my time. This one was certainly an exception. I was sad to find out that she died this year at 60 years old. I intend to see more of her films.

Pete is at agricultural college. Tammy Tyree (Sandra Dee) decides to go to college herself. She encounters poetry reading Tom Freeman who teaches public speaking. She joins his class. She needs a job and tries to be companion to elderly Annie Rook Call. Mrs. Call's niece rejects her but Annie is desperate for freedom. Annie runs away to join her on her boathouse, the Ellen B.

This is a sequel to Tammy and the Bachelor (1957). Sandra Dee replaces Debbie Reynolds. Sandra is laying it down thick and play it up to the rafters. That has a charm of its own like a simple caricature. The fish-out-water is fun but some of the reactions go too far. It's fun until it becomes awkwardly unreal. Nobody would laugh at some of those moments. When that feels out of place, it takes away from the resolution's poignancy. Despite some clunkiness, this has a sweetness and charm to it.

I can't believe I'm the first person commenting on this priceless comedy!

True, it has great sentimental value for me, because it brings me back to Sao Paulo 1962 where I first saw it. The title in Portuguese was "Con Amor no Coracao" (With Love In The Heart). I loved it every time I saw it.

SANDRA DEE IS A GENIUS. Her brand of comedy is totally unique, and her artistic HUMILITY most touching. She OWNS every role she plays. How can Hollywood overlook such a LADY!!!!!!!!!! She is one of the true stars we have left. But then, what film would be great enough to fit her?

There are of course, many merits in this film other than Ms. Dee. The writing is utterly brilliant, the cinematography lovely. A country bumpkin meets city folks and makes helpless fools of them with her disarming innocence. Once exposed, the phonies mend their ways and acquire some of her virtues.

One wonders if Tammy isn't really black.