User reviews

TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE is a rarity, a movie that sets out to capture the innocent charm of the early 20th century, and succeeds. A brave confection, built on a rather silly premise, it artfully presents the conflict in the heart of a 17-year-old girl who yearns to grow up and whose parents yearn to ignore it. Jane Powell is delightful as the adolescent who has a crush on the dashing man, and Ricardo Montalban hits just the right note of sophistication and kindness as he begins to fall for her. Debbie Reynolds is perfect as the wisecracking younger sister who knows what she wants and how to get it (and "it" is Carleton Carpenter), and two little brothers add just the touch of innocent mischief we would expect from little brothers in those days. Louis Calhern is delightful as the fumbling father, and Ann Harding is elegant and regal as always as the mother.

I don't see how anyone could interpret this as the same movie as DIRTY DANCING, except they both took place in Catskills resorts. It is truly about a loving family and how they cope with growing pains all around. The later film was no such thing, with a different set of characters and a totally different story line. It was certainly a different kind of resort as well.

One of Jane Powell's more popular musicals was this turn of the last century classic, Two Weeks With Love. With music and atmosphere set in the Theodore Roosevelt era, Two Weeks With Love is good entertainment and marked Debbie Reynolds's breakthrough film.

The Robinson family headed by Louis Calhern and Ann Harding are taking their annual two weeks outing in the Catskills, circa 1905. Apparent to all, but Ann Harding, her daughter Jane Powell is developing a figure. However we've got a firm rule in this family, no corset until her 18th birthday.

Another person stymied by the 18th birthday rule is Carleton Carpenter who is 17 and still in knickers. Father Clinton Sundberg owns the hotel that Robinsons stay at and will not give him long pants.

Though Powell and Reynolds can still play as teenagers, Carleton Carpenter is positively ridiculous playing a 17 year old. He's quite a bit over 6 feet tall, but that's good in a way, because that's part of his gawkiness. Where in the name of the Deity were they finding knickers back in the first decade of the last century for someone over 6 feet tall beggars the imagination.

There's a nice mixture of period, public domain music that MGM didn't have to shell out for the rights that Powell, Reynolds and Carpenter perform. Debbie Reynolds as Powell's younger sister sang Abba Dabba Honeymoon with Carpenter here and it became the hit and the song had a revival in popularity in 1950. Powell's best number is in an imaginary sequence singing Come, Hero Mine from The Chocolate Soldier. Again, MGM owned the rights by dint of purchasing that property for their Chocolate Soldier film from nine years before where Rise Stevens and Nelson Eddy duet ed this one.

Powell also dances a mean tango with Ricardo Montalban the object of her youthful crush and why she's so anxious to show her figure off.

Ann Harding as a mom is nice and loving and doesn't have a clue. She dresses her boys, Tommy Rettig and Gary Gray, in Reynolds's and Powell's old hand me down nighties. Mom, get real.

Two Weeks With Love is a nice trip down memory lane and back when it was released people actually did have memories of the turn of the last century.

This not being one of MGM's "tentpole" musicals. This is a very basic story of NYC families vacationing in the Catskills and the "resort romance" that teenagers often encounter. Despite how gorgeous and talented Jane Powell is, her character is insecure and easily embarrassed as any 17 year old. She falls for the ever gorgeous Ricardo Mantalban who shows that he can play light romantic comedy well. Debbie Reynolds is perfectly cast as Powell's little sister (actually 17 at the time) who pretty much steals the picture. Louis Calhern and Ann Harding play their parents and it was great to see Calhern in a lighter role with so many nice close ups. Carleton Carpenter was outstanding as the boy caught in the middle of the two sisters affections.

This Technicolor production was a feast for the eyes-beautifully photographed, believable sets and great costuming and make up. Whenever I see these I know what kind of stress the actors were under-those incredibly hot lights wearing heavy costumes & caked make up. This group of pros never let their discomfort show and there was lots of smiling and dancing included here.

As I said earlier, Debbie Reynolds completely stole the show, she had the best lines and the best, most energetic dance numbers. She played the typical fun loving tom boy who is just discovering boys and crushes. She plays adorably for the camera but is a real standout in her dancing with Carlton Carpenter, who is also just spectacular. I noticed the camera shot them dancing from a low angle capturing their entire bodies but close enough to clearly see their facial expressions-the brilliance of Busby Berkeley.

There is no doubt Debbie Reynolds was going to be a HUGE star. You can see it, everyone can see it. Why didn't Carpenter? He certainly is a standout. Maybe it's tougher in musical comedy when you're male?

Jane Powell and Ricardo Mantalban headline this film made in 1950. Debbie Reynolds was the supporting star early in her career. Jane Powell has said that this was one of her favorite films to work on, despite being more famous for "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers." The plot is about Jane's character trying to break out into womanhood, despite her mother trying to keep her a little girl. Along the way, she falls for a young Cuban (Mantalban) and conflicts between Powell, her mother and her romantic rival climax at a good moment. Debbie Reynolds is Jane Powell's younger sister in the film and sings her first record hit, "Aba Daba Honeymoon" with Carlton Carpenter. This song is available from Curb Records nowadays. Not to be outdone singing at an early age, Debbie's sparkling style of acting was the real highlight of the film. Her character's wit and occasional negative attitude creates a "she's so cute" attitude towards her from the audience. Debbie fans will notice this right of the bat. Despite being 17 or 18 when the film was shot, the film calls for her to be 14 or 15, and she looks it too. This film is not one of the "Great Classics" of Hollywood, but Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds' fans should thoroughly enjoy this one. Jane Powell would go on to star with Debbie Reynolds in "Athena" and "Hit the Deck." Ricardo Mantalban would star with Debbie Reynolds 16 years later, in "The Singing Nun."

"Two Weeks With Love" is very similar to Warner Brothers "On Moonlight Bay" and "By the Light of the Silvery Moon"...a nice turn of the 20th century musical slice of life about a middle class family. So, if you like the Warner films, you're very likely to also enjoy this offering from MGM...though "Two Weeks With Love" is definitely a weaker outing for a variety of reasons I'll get to later in the review.

The story revolves mostly around Patti Robinson (Jane Powell) as she is on vacation with her family at a resort. Her number one goal there is to find a man...though her parents seem to do everything they can to stop this as she's only 17. Her younger sister, Melba (Debbie Reynolds) is even younger...and both have visions of handsome suitors coming to them to profess their love. The problem is that with Patti, she's thoroughly embarrassed herself in from of the most handsome bachelor there, a Cuban named Demi (Ricardo Montalban). Do either of the sisters have a prayer or do they need to wait for another summer to pass before they find love?

As I mentioned, this is a good film but not the equal to the Warner films because of a couple weaknesses. First, while Jane Powell is probably a lovely person and I would never want to hurt her, her singing in this film is much more operatic and not nearly as much fun as Doris Day and Gordon MacRea in the other films. Secondly, the comedy is simply funnier in the Warner films...with Billy Gray putting on a terrific performance as a pest!

Despite a few weak moments (such as with some of the singing as well as some of the fantasy scenes), overall this is a fun little family film. Worth seeing, warts and all.

Patti (Jane Powell) is coming of age in the early XX century. She sights for Demi (Ricardo Montalbán) and willing to wear corset, a clear sign of becoming a woman. Until then she can not allow any man put his arms around her...or they would discover she is not wearing corset and consequently is not a woman yet. But her parents prefer to wait until she is eighteen. That means waiting a whole year, a difficult thing specially if you have a friend called Valerie (Phyllis Kirk) who is already in the adult world and fighting for Demi's love. Delightful musical comedy that includes many beautiful songs such as Oceana roll, Row, row, row, Aba daba honeymoon (a huge success after film's release that lead to a tour song through the States for both singers), By the light of the silvery moon and a The chocolate soldier's fragment, all of them perfectly fitted. In brilliant Technicolor with wonderful costumes by Edith Head, an accurated set designs and mise-en-scène and great performances by all the cast this is a film not to be missed. Specially enjoyable are the lake boat dream sequence with Ricardo Montalban appearing in Patti's dreams and the tango dance finale A media luz (made famous by tango singer Carlos Gardel) where Mr. Montalbán (a great dancer) shines dancing with Miss Powell. She said this was her favorite film. Great entertainment.

A family goes to the Catskills for two weeks of vacation, and the two daughters try to break out of their parental constraints, especially when it comes to men. No, this is not "Dirty Dancing." Far from it, as American mores were struggling with remnants of the Victorian Era. On the other hand, Baby and Lisa Houseman were part of a generation leaving the square 50s for the socially aware 60s, soon to be the turbulent 60s.

But 17-year-old Patti Robinson (Jane Powell) and her kid sister Melba (Debbie Reynolds) want to wear more mature fashions, stay out later and, most importantly, attract the attention of young men. But they are very different from each other. Patti is rather demure, though she can belt out a rousing song when called upon. Melba doesn't hold back when expressing her interest in a boy, like 16-year-old Billy Finlay (Carleton Carpenter), who only has eyes for Patti.

Powell and Reynolds each get their chances to sing, and those performances are the best parts of the film. It is particularly fun to watch Debbie Reynolds, who is really a teen, make her mark with this role. Still two years before "Singin' in the Rain", she shows immense talent, likability, and an infectious energy. Her duet with Carleton Carpenter---"Aba Daba Honeymoon"----is a milestone in her career.

Patti Robinson expresses her burgeoning maturity by setting her sights on a dashing newcomer to the resort, Demi Armendez (Ricardo Montalban), whose age is not established, though Montalban is 30 in real life. Their odd courtship deals with many obstacles, but it really doesn't matter; Patti's freedom from severe parental restraints is the point of her story.

The film does a fine job of capturing the beginning of the twentieth century in styles and customs. It is not a major musical, but it is pleasant.

Yes, remade as DIRTY DANCING! I was lucky enough to see this hilarious and enchanting film in real 3 strip Technicolor in the early 1970s when every Sunday night there would be a classic double at a local theatre.......I can't ever describe how beautiful the colour is / was in this format. Often it played with a 3 strip tech print of Singin In The Rain, so imagine the imagery left to take home and replay in my head...... The cinema was always full (700 +) and the crowd just roared with appreciation. This is a very funny film and one that really addresses teen worries in the most lovable way. One sequence where the families go night time boating with lanterns, all to the song By The Light Of The Silvery Moon is spellbinding enough to transport the hardiest soul to sheer bliss (my brother). Kids need to see this film today and if you can show it to them, they will put aside their demands and really come to love it. The raisins reference above is from the most uproarious dinner time gag early in the film. Have a look....it's delivered perfectly. Like the film.

This is a coming-of-age musical comedy where teenager Jane Powell (Patti) longs to be taken seriously as an adult and wants to wear a corset. This is a sign that a girl has become a woman. We follow 2 weeks with Powell's family at a holiday resort at which there is also a teenage boy on the scene - Carleton Carpenter (Billy) - who works at the resort and isn't yet allowed to wear long pants. This is a sign that a boy has now become a man.

Powell is put into the 'children's category' for all holiday activities and she is to remain separated from the adult groups. Phyllis Kirk (Valerie) is her jealous, patronizing friend who is old enough to be of adult status and who is romantically pursuing Cuban guest Ricardo Montalban (Demi). Montalban prefers to spend time with Powell but Powell isn't yet grown-up enough and so she misses out on spending time with him. Powell comes to realizes that Kirk is sabotaging her attempts to befriend Montalban but who will Powell end up with at the end of the film?

Carpenter also has to attend the children's groups as opposed to mingle with the adults. This is good news for Powell's younger sister Debbie Reynolds (Melba) who has a crush on him. Carpenter, in turn has a crush on Powell. It's a teenage mix-up!

There are some popular songs in this film and entertaining musical set pieces - singing and dancing. The "Oceana Roll" is my favourite song and needed to be seen again once the film had finished. I enjoyed this film more than I expected I would. It is in a similar easy-to-watch style as Margie (1946). The cast are funny - Reynolds in particular produces some good moments - and the audience can sympathize with all the embarrassing situations that Powell lands in.

All that teenage heartbreak triggered by the appropriate clothing that needs to be worn. They would have been outraged by what today's teenagers deem appropriate. The film takes you back to a much gentler time, with fewer stabbings, and a time when parents and their children had more respect for each other within the family unit.

I love this movie not just because of Jane Powell's charming performance or Ricardo Montalban's romantic looks, but for its wonderful recreation of the period and most of all for its heartfelt appreciation of the angst of growing up and moving from girl to woman. And it's so funny!- the scene where her (surgical) corset locks during her longed-for dance with Ricardo is hilarious. What more could you ask - even Debbie Reynolds is (comparatively) restrained.

The Robinson family are vacationing in the Catskills. Older daughter Patti Robinson (Jane Powell) has no time for young men like Billy but she has her eyes set on older foreign gentleman Demi Armendez (Ricardo Montalban). Younger sister Melba (Debbie Reynolds) is interested in Billy but he refuses to let go of Patti.

Jane Powell may be playing the lead character but Debbie Reynolds is the star. "Aba Daba Honeymoon" is just so fun. There is no way to not like the song. Debbie and Carleton Carpenter form a good song and dance team. He's so tall and she's so adorable. They could have been the leads but Debbie was a no-name newbie at that time. This is a fair musical but not a great one.

I haven't seen this one in a long time, since I caught a TV broadcast some years ago. But I'll never forget its gentle high spirits; the warm and humorous work of the ensemble cast; M-G-M's studio-bound but, as always, first-class production values; and, of course, the happy showcasing of Jane Powell at her best. But one thing that amused me the most was the extremely sly performance by Debbie Reynolds, so early in her career. She appeared in many comedy-with-music films in the years to follow but I can't think of one that so cleverly mined her very special talent for, shall we say, winking at the audience and bringing her uniquely appealing sense of humor to the proceedings, without in the least stepping out of character. Think I'll splurge and get my own VHS copy of this one. Nostalgia can be fun, n'est-ce pas?!?

This movie used to be shown on the old UHF stations like WOR, Channel 5 in New York. We were able to receive this station with wonderful old movies even though we lived in the Philly suburbs. I can remember carefree summer days and movies like this on all the time. It was one of my mother's favorites and it became ours as well. I always remember Debbie Reynolds singing and how funny she was. I wanted to be there, at that same hotel, playing with Debbie and having a great time. Oh how I wish they would make movies like this again, movies that are fun and sweet.But the people creating film today enjoy wallowing in darkness and despair. But that's another topic. This is a fun film, perfect for kids and summer and escape. GallenR

I couldn't love this movie more. Jane Powell, a sensational actress, gives an exceptional performance. Ricardo Montalban is an absolute dream and is so hilarious. Could Debbie Reynolds be more adorable? You can't help but fall in love with the entire cast.

They don't make films like this anymore there simply aren't the margins in them. If they did the sex and jokes would hit you in the face and you would miss the point that subtlety and slapstick can mix well together on occasion. This film is half a century old and it probably shows to the more sophisticated contemporary film goer/maker. To me it was a film that I have seen only twice when in my teens but both times it instilled in me a warmth and humour that I have rarely known in a film since. Hooray for Debbie Reynolds! Hooray for Ricardo M! And not an inch of stocking or @#*~ word in sight! Sit back and enjoy.

There's just something about watching an MGM musical from their golden age. Musicals from that time had a special look and feel like nothing before or since, wonderful displays of showmanship and design and talent that cast a gorgeous glow over the screen. Sure, they were corny and silly sometimes, but they entertained.

`Two Weeks With Love' is typical of this period. The story follows adolescent Patti Robinson (Jane Powell) on her family vacation to Kissimee in the Catskills, where she meets and falls in love with the dashing Demi Armendez (Ricardo Montalban). Patti pursues Demi and the hotel bellboy Billy (Carleton Carpenter) pursues Patti and Patti's sister Melba (Debbie Reynolds) pursues Billy, and Patti and Melba's Mama and Papa (Ann Harding and Louis Calhern) struggle to accept that their little girl is growing up…

`Two Weeks' is one of those movies that's a pure joy to watch, just ninety minutes of lighthearted fun and sweetness. It's a time capsule from a simpler age, when problems were never really as bad as they seemed and true love could conquer all. Sigh

When people ask the question "Why don't they make musicals anymore?" I find that it is quite easily answered: "Well, the genre was perfected in classical Hollywood." We can never get to that point again, and can only hope for re-invention, which we kind of got this past year with Moulin Rouge. However, that film cannot compare with the musicals of the 30s and 50s, nor can any other musical (at least from what I've seen) of the past 20 years.

I had never heard of Two Weeks with Love, and only began to watch it because there was nothing else on when I sat down to eat my lunch. I missed the first 15 minutes or so, but the plot was simple enough to reconstruct: a family goes on vacation in the Catskills around the turn of the Twentieth Century, and the middle of three daughters (Jane Powell), Patty, 17 in age, feels that she is becoming an adult. Her parents treat her like a child, though, and won't allow her to where a corset, the symbol of young womanhood. Another guest in their hotel is Demy, a Cuban gentleman played by none other than Ricardo Montalban (how old is this guy? this film was made in 1950!). He's a bit older than Patty, but she is extraordinarily attracted to him. Her older sister, Valerie, tries to trick her into screwing up when she's in front of him (she wants him, too), and her younger sister, Melba, thinks Patty's a nut. Debbie Reynolds, cute as ever, plays Melba, two years before Singin' in the Rain.

This film has a lot of great musical numbers, but it can go a long time at some points without one. However, it's so entertaining even without the music that I was never impatiently waiting for the next one to occur. The humor is marvelous. The dialogue is very clever, and there are actually a lot of sexual innuendoes. Some of them may not have been meant. For instance, one scene has Patty explaining to Demy how she would cling to him if she fell into a lake. She wraps her arms tightly around this pole that looks far too much like a penis to suggest anything else.

I hope someday that I'll be able to see the first 15 minutes that I missed. Perhaps then I'll give it a 10, but for now I'll give it a 9/10.

Not one of my favourite musicals, or one of my favourite films of all time. But 'Two Weeks with Love' is just impossible to dislike and easily one of the most pleasant surprises had over the past few weeks (seeing it on an old VHS belonging to an American friend who is a fellow fan of older musicals), standing above most "golden age Hollywood" musicals seen recently.

Don't let the predictability of the story throw you off or that the outcome of the film is not hard to figure out at all early on. Judging it on what it aimed to do and what was expected, 'Two Weeks with Love' succeeds brilliantly and while it is not a masterpiece of the genre or of film when it comes to how well made, performed, enjoyable and easily digestible it is 'Two Weeks with Love' can't be beat.

Visually, 'Two Weeks with Love' looks beautiful and was clearly made with love and care. The set and costume designs are sumptuous and elegant, actually feeling more expansive than the studio-bound look. The film is beautifully photographed too and boasts big, bold, rich colour that is just a feast for the eyes without being overdone or overly-garish.

The music and songs are lovely and fill one with joy and emotion. The standouts are "Oceana Roll", "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "Abba Dabba Honeymoon", while it was wonderful to hear "My Hero" from 'The Chocolate Soldier' too. All are beautifully performed and staged. The choreography from none other than Busby Berkeley is both exuberant and intimate, while it may not have the imagination and wildness of Berkeley's very best work that's in no way a disappointment because more understated Berkeley but still with his usual pizazz and musicality fits better here.

Was also surprised at how good the script was, full of genuinely funny humour (the corset stuff that could easily have been repetitive and out of date inducing good amusement still) and emotion. The story may not hold many surprises, but that doesn't matter when the energy and charm were so good, the fun was non-stop and also that some of what it had to say being genuinely sincere and touching. The nostalgic and romantic qualities 'Two Weeks with Love' were similarly handled beautifully. Direction is adroit throughout.

Jane Powell captivates in her charm and not only does she sing beautifully but also like it came straight from her heart. Even better is cute, peppy and feisty Debbie Reynolds ('Two Weeks with Love' was seen in her memory too), who injects so much spark effortlessly and without over-doing it. Ricardo Montalban is so handsome and suave with great comic timing and energetic charisma. Louis Calhern is amusing and Ann Harding is no less delightful. Only Carleton Carpenter is a little on the wooden side and he doesn't look comfortable playing a character younger than he.

Overall, a sheer romantic musical delight and is likely to have even the most sceptical of hearts swooning. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Bright, perky, funny with great writing and fabulous numbers. The depiction of late Victorian America is spot on, especially the obsession with fashion (corsets!). Debbie Reynolds is just outstanding: funny, talented and adorable. Superb cast, too, especially Louis Calhern and Ann Harding as the parents of Debbie and Jane Powell and the hugely talented Carlton Carpenter. Abba Dabba Honeymoon rivals any production number in any other musical. (Though my favorite bit is Debbie playing a tuba.)

Believe me, I love the old MGM musicals, but this particular Powell player doesn't work for me. Certainly, the MGM "class" is visible in every frame, even if the back lot is not a convincing substitute for the Catskill Mountains. The architecture and atmosphere simply do not evoke the implied location.

Debbie Reynolds is the only spark in this uninspired flick. Supporting performances are basically caricatures, at best.

Technicolor always astounds me, even if the material does not.

Just TWO years later, Reynolds would star in "Singing in the Rain," an MGM classic that blows this safe, milk toast tid-bit out of the water.