Set in the early 20th century, the film focuses on the Robinson family. Patti (Jane Powell) and Melba (Debbie Reynolds), the daughters, are both accomplished in the performing arts, while the Robinson boys love fireworks and mischief. Mrs. Robinson (Ann Harding) is charming and very wise in the ways of young love. The Robinson family leaves their home in New York City to stay at "Kissimmee in the Catskills," a resort hotel in upstate New York, where love strikes both of the Robinson daughters.
The Robinson family is at the Stanley House Hotel, located in "Kissamee-in-the-Catskills", a resort town, for their annual two-week vacation. The resort owner's son, Billy, is enamored with Patti, who declines all of his invitations, considering him too young at 16 since she has just turned 17. Younger sister Melba is interested in Billy, but he is determined to chase after Patti.
Patti and her friend Valerie (Phyllis Kirk), a slightly older actress, compete for the attention of Demi (Ricardo Montalbán), a handsome Cuban newly arrived at the resort. Valerie gives Patti poor advice on dealing with men and frequently points out that Patti is still a child.
Mr. Robinson overhears Billy and Patti complaining: Billy, because his father refuses to let him wear long pants, and Patti, because her mother refuses to let her wear a corset. Despite his wife's objections, Mr. Robinson buys a corset for Patti, inadvertently selecting a surgical corset (back brace), which has steel bone stays that lock up when the wearer bends too far.
At the variety show, Valerie convinces the resort owner to cut Patti from the show, but when Valerie cannot find her dancing shoes, she refuses to perform, and Patti takes her place in a dance with Demi. During the dance, Patti's corset locks up, and she is carried from the stage.
Mrs. Robinson releases Patti from the corset and promises to buy her a proper corset the next day. Demi receives permission from Patti's parents to call on her when they return to the city.
Estimates by Variety estimated the film would bring in $2,400,000 in distributor rentals, based on 1950 rentals (share of gross box office to the distributor) between its November 10 release and December 31 year end.[1] Final data, from MGM, records the film made them $1,695,000 in the US and Canada and $1,100,000 elsewhere, for a total of $2,795,000 in distributor rentals, resulting in a profit of $199,000.[2]
Two Weeks with Love, the soundtrack album to this film, was issued in a 10-inch LP format on MGM Records catalog E-530. All tracks are backed by the M-G-M Studio Orchestra under the direction of Georgie Stoll.[5]
