Themes: Battle of the Sexes, Fathers and Daughters, First Love
Main Cast: Patty Duke, Jim Backus, Jane Greer, Warren Berlinger, Billy De Wolfe
Release Year: 1965
Country: US
Run Time: 86 minutes
Plot
Billie is a screen version of Ronald Alexander's perennial stage favorite Time Out For Ginger. Patty Duke plays a tomboyish high schooler who excels in athletics but who continues to strike out socially. Jim Backus and Jane Greer perform yeoman service as Duke's parents, who wonder how long it's going to be before their daughter stops trying to be their son. Backus is particularly concerned because he's running for mayor on a platform of "male supremacy" (this is 1965, remember?). From time to time, Duke expresses her frustration in song: her big number finds her holding her gym shoes in one hand, a bottle of perfume in the other. Warren Berlinger also stars as Duke's long-suffering boyfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Billie is a ridiculous and incredibly dated teen musical -- but it's one that has a very pleasing campiness to it that provides a substantial reward for those in the mood to laugh at how silly the whole film is. Not that there aren't some legitimate assets beyond its camp value. Billie does boast a perky, energetic performance from a strangely-bewigged Patty Duke. It's not what one calls a great performance, because the material doesn't really allow for such a thing. But Duke gives the role her all, and she's a great deal of fun. True, her singing is nothing to write home about -- but then, neither are the songs she has been given to warble. Jim Backus is fun as the male chauvinist father, and Jane Greer is a welcome addition as the understanding mother. It's also fun to see 1960's sitcom fixtures Dick Sargent, Richard Deacon and Ted Bessel in small roles. Ronald Alexander's screenplay is ridiculous, and modern viewers will undoubtedly howl at the "I enjoy being a girl after all" resolution -- but that's all to the good for its camp appeal. It's ludicrous and unbelievable and would be totally insulting if one took it at all seriously -- so it's best to approach Billie in a totally mocking manner to get the most enjoyment out of it. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Charles Lane - Coach Jones; Dick Sargent - Matt Bullitt; Susan Seaforth - Jean Matthews; Ted Bessel - Bob Matthews; Richard Deacon - Principal Wilson; Bobby Diamond - Eddie Davis; Michael Fox - Ray Case; Clive Clerk - Ted Chekas; Harlan Warde - Dr. Hall; Georgia Simmons - Mrs. Hosenwacker; Arline Anderson - Mrs. Clifton; Matty Jordan - Reporter; Maria Lennard - Adele Colin; Mark Elwes - Birkinshaw; Susan Seaforth Hayes
Credit
Arthur Lonergan - Art Director, David Winters - Choreography, George W. Drew - Costume Designer, Don Weis - Director, Adrienne Fazan - Editor, Dominic Frontiere - Composer (Music Score), John L. Russell - Cinematographer, Don Weis - Producer, Ronald Alexander - Screenwriter, Paddy Alexander - Play Author
