Billie

I remember my parents taking me to see BILLIE at the local drive-in when I was a kid. Patty Duke, pre-Valley of the Dolls, played this tomboyish teenage girl who could outrun all the boys in her school thanks to something in her head that she called "the beat", but boys don't like to go out with girls who run faster than they do, so Billie is pretty much alone until she compromises her feminist ideals, sings a corny song about becoming a woman, and purposely loses a race so that she can have the boy of her dreams, who I believe was played by Warren Berlinger. I think Jim Backus played her father, who was running for Mayor on a "Women belong in the home" platform while his daughter was out running track with the boys. This movie was kind of corny, but Patty played the role energetically and I liked her blonde, Mia Farrow haircut.

Scrappy theatrical comedy filmed on a television budget, with Patty Duke putting the high school jocks to shame with her athletic abilities (seems sneaky Pat has been running track to a secret "beat" in her head!). Nothing memorable, but worth-watching for the always-good Jim Backus as Patty's politician father--who can't seem to decide where he stands on women's issues--and Patty herself is also very lively. Her short platinum 'do is a bit odd (and occasionally looks like a wig or a blonde mop-head), but she seems happier here than on her self-named TV series and does very well with her two song numbers (her voice is shaky and without focus, but extremely bright and appealing). **1/2 from ****

Bit of fluff about teenage Billie Carol (Patty Duke), tomboy (if in any doubt of that, the short-cropped boyish haircut tells you that fact) who joins the boys track team at her high school and faces the mild wrath of her father (Jim Backus) who is running for mayor (Billie wishes she were a boy - and so does dad - uh oh). Billie "hears the beat" when she runs and even helps the other boys on the team (none of whom can run as fast as spirited little Billie) learn the beat in a fun dance number. New boy in school, Mike, wants to become a track star so recruits Billie as his "teacher" - but can't keep his eyes off her when she dances. And meanwhile issues about "women's rights" are loosely brought into the film as Billie gets upset 'cause the boys treat her "like a girl and not an equal". A subplot involves big sister Jeannie who returns from college with a secret she only reveals to sis Billie.

This film is pretty light fare, nostalgic fun that reminded me so much of the 60s teenage films I liked as a kid - it's also a semi-musical with one good dance number, plus a few sort of catchy, a few not so catchy songs thrown in. As a fan of Patty Duke (one of my favorite old TV shows since childhood is the rarely seen "Patty Duke Show") it was great to see her in this fun, teenage role - she's very energetic, likable and cute in this (even though forced into appearing on screen in this rather ugly powder blue short set as well as a pretty hideous powder blue dress, amongst other things - and what's with that bleached blonde hairdo?!). 60s TV is also well-represented as this film is jam-packed with numerous familiar stars and character actors from popular 60s sitcoms - Bewitched, That Girl, Gilligan's Island, Leave it to Beaver - all represented here. Even well-loved character actor Charles Lane appears briefly in a few scenes as the track coach, and there's even a big "Shaggy Dog" in this. Nothing great- but enjoyable, light fun.

Silly bit of fluff about a teenage tomboy named Billie (Patty Duke) who can run super fast due to music in her head she calls "the beat." She can run faster than all the boys, which causes the expected problems. This is an old but fun gender equality story. It's sincere in what it's trying to do even though it's pretty dated in how it's trying to do it. Patty Duke is fun and looks cute in track shorts. 28 year-old Warren Berlinger is her friend (and potential boyfriend). He's a poor fit to play a high schooler. He even has a bald spot! Jim Backus plays the dad and Jane Greer is the mom. Backus' character is one of the more interesting in the film, seeing as how he is a politician running on a traditionalist conservative platform yet his personal views are somewhat in conflict with this. He's a hypocrite, in other words. Other familiar faces like Dick Sargent, Charles Lane, and Richard Deacon also appear. It's likable stuff but not for everybody. The scenes of Patty Duke running with that big grin on her face and the '60s music playing is pretty cheesy stuff. Patty sings some corny songs, as well. The subplot about the older sister is positively stupid. You're not going to enjoy this movie much unless you are able to not take it that seriously.

Patty Duke stars as young Billie Carol, the teenage gal who can outrun all of the guys on the school track team. She tells her track coach that the secret to her incredible running ability, is the rock music 'beat' that she hears in her head, whenever she runs. Billie's athletic talent, causes considerable controversy for her politician father, who's running for Mayor of their town. He admits that he wishes Billie had been a boy. Billie herself, also wishes that she was a boy. She doesn't like having to tone-down her athletic prowess, just because she's a girl.

Lots of folks think that Billie should behave more like a girl, and quit the boy's track team. But she's determined to stay on. Her father reluctantly supports her wish to be on the boy's track team. To further complicate matters, Billie falls for one of her teammates, who she had been tutoring to improve his track skills. He's surprised to find himself attracted to the tomboyish Billie, and wants her to start acting like a girl.

Billie likes him, but wants him to accept her as an equal. His male ego is threatened by the fact that Billie can outrun him, since she's 'just a girl'. Billie doesn't like this, but she also doesn't want to lose her first boyfriend. Bewildered by her blossoming romantic feelings for him, Billie knows that she needs to make some important decisions, regarding her relationship with him.

This movie belongs to Patty Duke, and she shines above the others in the supporting cast. Patty looks like a cute puppy-dog tomboy, and brings an intense energy to her role as Billie. After this film, Patty would never again appear so baby-faced and innocent, as she did in Billie. Patty also got to sing songs in the film, and she does have a nice voice.

This movie was a charming, fun comedy, about a girl's journey through adolescence. It was made before the women's rights movement got underway. But it's plot was supportive of Billie's determination, to compete on an equal level with the boys on the track team. It's a fun, 60s teen-angst movie, with a message about equal rights for girls.