In the early 50s, Gordon MacRea and Doris Day made a couple cute period pictures together--"By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "On Moonlight Bay". Both were essentially one long story about a nice family in the 1910s. There was singing but mostly the emphasis was on the comedy and character development. Just before they made these two wonderful films, they also made "Tea for Two" and, although pleasant, the film is clearly not in league with their later collaborations. Why? Because story and character development clearly are NOT that important--it's the music. Now for me, I like musicals but the story always must take precedence.This story is told through a long flashback when Uncle Max (Cuddles Sakall) tells a group of kids (which includes a very young Elinor Donahue) the story of how Nanette (Day) lost her fortune and then miraculously got it back all because of a Broadway musical and a bet that Nanette cannot go 48 without saying 'no' to every question posed to her.The plot, to put it lightly, is feather-light. It makes very little sense and seems to be there simply as a plot device to justify all the music by Day and MacRae. Some of that, by the way, is very nice. Oddly, however, the title song is, at least to me, one of the weakest tunes in the film. I did enjoy Sakall---as pretty much everyone enjoys him in films. Overall, enjoyable fluff but absolutely nothing more.

Absolutely delightful musical starring Doris Day, Gene Nelson and Gordon MacRae. The plot is a delight as well, where heiress Doris Day loses her fortune in the 1929 stock market crash, but her doting uncle, the fabulous S.Z. Sakall, will not tell her and in fact wages $25,000 that she can stop saying yes.What makes this film a delight is the wonderful supporting cast. Besides Sakall there is the wonderful Eve Arden and Billy DeWolfe, wise-cracking as always, and DeWolfe shines in his Charleston rendition.The musical arrangements are wonderful and Gordon MacRae belts out the title song with vigor as well as others. Gene Nelson proved what a great hoofer he was. Remember him just 3 years before in a bit part in the memorable "Gentleman's Agreement," when he pushes aside a nasty person who has made an anti-Semitic statement? This is quite a change for him in just 3 years.Patrice Wymore shows that she can be as nasty as ever.No wonder they called S.Z. Sakall cuddles, he was so adorable. Thank the Lord he was able to flee from Europe with his wife during the holocaust period.

I am normally a very big fan of Doris Day, but this film was certainly not one of her best.The following year's "I'll See You in My Dreams" is so much better, plot-wise, music wise, and especially "acting-wise".Some of the songs are quite enjoyable to hear, however, the production numbers are very "clunkily" staged, and the fact that this film is supposed to be set in late 20's and no attempt is made at authentic period detail (except for the cars) is really quite annoying, and does takeaway from the overall enjoyment of the musical.Not terrible, but definitely not Doris' best.Surprisingly, I have heard that this was one of the biggest "hits" of 1950. Huh??

This film peaks near its beginning with a production number featuring Doris Day and Gene Nelson dancing with both an infinity mirrored wall and the New York skyline showing outside (of some huge windows). The later production number, a blend of "No, No Nanette" and "Tea for Two", is tellingly anti-climatic.The plot is easy - Ms. Day has to say "No" to everything for a day. But, the movie goes on and on with several songs and dances having little/nothing to do with the story. Other characters and sub-plots are thrown in; with all the extra songs and dances, I have no trouble believing everything in this film was not in the original "No, No Nanette". Some of it all is very good - Day and MacRae sing well, Mr. Nelson dances well, and Eve Arden does her thing - but this feels more like a string of songs and scenes than a movie. ***** Tea for Two (9/1/50) David Butler ~ Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Eve Arden