Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #735 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-09-01
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Customer Reviews

THE 'ABA DABA HONEYMOON' MUSICAL
Producer Jack Cummings gives us a nostalgic look at early America with its traditional mannerisms and unique dress in this turn of the century musical. While vacationing in a Catskills resort, Patti (Jane Powell) and her younger sister, Melba, (Debbie Reynolds) are determined to turn their two-week family get-a-way into two weeks with love. Patti sets her eye on a dashing older guest, Ricardo Montalban, while Melba stalks the hotel ownner's son, Carleton Carpenter. Patti believes that if she were only permitted to wear a corset, like the other young women, that her romantic woes would be over. She is reminded by Mama and Papa (delightfully played by Ann Harding and Louis Calhern) that she is only eighteen and that the answer is no. Phyllis Kirk, a fellow vacationer, doesn't help any by spreading word that Patti doesn't wear a corset. She, also, has her sights set on Mr. Montalban. Needless to say, misadventure and comedy abound. Busby Berkeley, renowned for his spectacular choreography and 'people moving', staged all the numbers for this bright period musical set in the early 1900's.

The musical sequences are dazzling. They begin with a lilting waltz, the movie's untitled theme, which I call the LOVE WALTZ, conducted by Louis Calhern for his Sunday concert in the park. Jane Powell adds her talent to the concert with a vibrant A HEART THAT'S FREE. At the resort, Debbie Raynolds and Carleton Carpenter entertain the guests with a lively THAT'S HOW I NEED YOU. Jane follows with a robust OCEANA ROLL. Debbie and Carleton next give us the rousing ABA DABA HONEYMOON which gave them a smash-hit record. While rowing on the lake, Mama and Papa, Ricardo and Phyllis, and Jane (alone in her own little boat) sing the romantic BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON. Jane ends up IN the lake. At a resort dance, we hear a beautiful refrain of the LOVE WALTZ. Jane then gets her wish for a corset in an elaborate dream sequence in which she appears in the hotel courtyard with all guests assembled in their finest attire. Jane enters wearing a dazzling corset and a wide brimmed hat accessorized by a shade umbrella over her shoulder. All eyes are on Jane and her beautiful corset, not to mention her beautiful legs, as the crowd sings BEAUTIFUL LADY. She rewards their admiration with the revered Oscar Straus favorite MY HERO as her own hero, Ricardo, waltzes her around the garden. The dream ending and the film drawing to a close, Debbie and Carleton encore with ROW, ROW, ROW in a resort entertainment and Jane and Ricardo follow with a lively Latin dance, FLAMENCO. The music and movie conclude with the haunting LOVE WALTZ.

Of all of her movies, this is Jane Powell's favorite. It's one of my favorites, also. The entire cast seems to be having a rousing, good time. I think you will, too.

One of the best of Jane Powell's musicals
"Two Weeks with Love" is easily one of the best MGM films starring Jane Powell. She is very hilarious as a determined young woman whose mother thinks she is a child when she has fallen in love with an older man (a Cuban, played by none other than Ricardo Montalban). She gets into some hilarious situations trying to win Montalban over. The chemistry between each cast member is perfect. Debbie Reynolds also shows much spunk as Melba. The dancing sequences, between Debbie Reynolds/Carleton Carpenter and Jane Powell/Ricardo Montalban are wonderful. The singing and the songs (which include "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "Abba-Dabba Honeymoon") are both great. It's way too unfortunate that films such as it aren't made anymore, and this film is good for the entire family! I highly recommend it to anyone.

Jane's pretty and Debbie's funny
I'm not a huge Jane Powell fan, but she looks great in this movie and I do enjoy her singing in this one. However, America's Sweetheart Miss Debbie Reynolds steals every scene she's in. I've always felt Debbie is somewhat underrated as actresses go, but she
shines in this film. Romantic and comical without being silly, this
is fine family entertainment. This is the "next generation" at MGM
showing their stuff and they show themselves proud.