Tammy and the Bachelor

Originally published on social media on May 31st, 2022

How fitting that this is the last review in this month's theme. Grandma LOVED Debbie Reynolds! She loved all of her films, but I chose this one because it holds a special place in my heart. Many Christmases ago, my mom got these movies for me for Christmas and shared stories about how she watched these with Grandma. Then when Grandma passed away, we put the Tammy song on the CD we made in her honor. Every time I hear this song to this day, I think of Grandma, can almost hear her singing it, and typically I cry a little...like a happy & sad kind of cry. I'm not someone who cries very often and so crying every time I hear a song is significant for me.

Tammy and the Bachelor is a special movie for a few reasons. For instance, it is the first film in the series, but the only one to feature Debbie Reynolds as Tammy (Sandra Dee plays Tammy in the other two films). Sometimes I like Debbie more and other times Sandra, but they both offer something genuine and delightful to the innocent, pure and joyful role of Tambry Tyree (Tammy). In general, I enjoy Debbie Reynolds more as an actress and think she has the sweetest demeanor. The way Debbie articulates Tammy's thoughts is a combination of sweet, blunt, and hilarious; creating a certain charm in the storytelling.

In general, this film is unique in how much it embraces the best parts of Louisiana culture and the idea of living on the bayou. She lives on the bayou in other films, but the southern country culture is most embraced in this first film. This is also the only Tammy film that has a musical number. Rewatching this film for the first time in YEARS, I realized how much I enjoyed the color scheme of the film and recognized how much that and the lighting made the film more magical. In this way, this film almost reminds me of Meet Me in St. Louis or Summer Magic.

Overall, I just love this movie and think there is no better way to start off summer than by enjoying this film!