Posted on 04/04/2014 6:28:49 AM PDT by patriot08
American treasure, Doris Day, turns 90!
Doris Day is a living legend, an American treasure- the likes of which we will never see again.
Over the course of her career, Day appeared in 39 films. She was ranked the biggest box-office star, the only woman on that list, for four years (1960, 1962, 1963 and 1964) ranking in the top 10 for ten years (1951–1952 and 1959–1966). She became the top-ranking female box-office star of all time and is currently ranked sixth among the top 10 box office performers (male and female), as of 2012. She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Pillow Talk, won three Henrietta Awards (World Film Favorite), received the Los Angeles Film Critics Association's Career Achievement Award and, in 1989, received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in motion pictures. Doris Day made her last film in 1968.
She could do it all; sing, dance, drama, comedy- you name it. If you haven't seen her in a drama, see 'Midnight Lace' [the best crier in the movies] and 'Love Me or Leave me'- both outstanding dramatic performances.
Doris Day has also released 31 albums, and her songs have spent a total of 460 weeks in the Top 40 charts. She has been awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Legend Award from the Society of Singers. In 2011, she released her 29th studio album, My Heart, which debuted at No. 9 on the UK Top 40 charts. As of January 2014, Day is the oldest living artist to score a UK Top 10 with an album featuring new material.
Doris did it up right. She retired from Hollywood relatively young (preferring to be remembered as she was in her heyday) and devoted her life to doing good in the world- using her fame/name/money for a good cause; animal welfare. ( Another former big star, Bridgett Bardot, did the same, and should be admired. She has a world famous animal help organization. She has also fought hard to help keep Muslims from overtaking France. [in vain] She has been fined and jailed for her efforts to prevent Islamization of France. )
Doris didn't try to hang on to her glory days and become a pathetic parody of herself as some big name stars of yesteryear do. She's done with Hollywood- and they can't stand it. They want her out so they can ridicule, as they did poor Kim Novak. Doris has been called a 'bag lady', 'senile' and worse because she won't play Hollywood's game. She is none of these things. She is still a bright, attractive and active lady.
Sadly, she has still been underappreciated. She's never been given an Academy Award. Too normal- too much of a lady?
Trivia:
She is a staunch supporter of the Republican Party, and told the press she voted for George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election.
Was a close friend and vocal supporter of President Ronald Reagan.
Briefly dated Ronald Reagan shortly after his divorce from Jane Wyman when she and Reagan were contract players at Warner Brothers. Day told him that he was so good at talking that he should be touring the country making speeches. At the time, the future Republican President was a Democrat.
Telephoned the White House to personally explain to President George W. Bush her reasons for not attending her award presentation in June 2004, and said she was praying hard that he would be elected to a second term of office in November.
Has a fear of flying that stemmed from tours with Bob Hope in the 1940s that resulted in some close calls in impenetrable winter weather. She almost turned down her role in Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) because it was to be filmed in London and Marrakesh. Her husband and manager, Martin Melcher talked her into accepting it.
Oscar Levant quipped, "I've been around so long, I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin". She laughs about the 'eternal virgin' bit, too. She says it just the way she was always cast.
It was during the location filming of The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), when she saw how camels, goats and other "animal extras" in a marketplace scene were being treated, that Day began her lifelong commitment to preventing animal abuse.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush [June 2004]. She did not attend the White House award ceremony because of her intense fear of flying.
Reportedly did not like "swear words." As a recording artist, she would require anyone who said a swear word to put a quarter in a "swear jar." In addition, she does not allow her songs to be used in movies that contain swear words.
The age mix up comes from the fact that at age 15 (but saying she was 18) began touring with the Les Brown Band.
Happy birthday, Doris- and thank you for all the wonderful entertainment you left us.
Secret Love (1954)
After Martin Melcher, Doris’ third husband, died unexpectedly in 1968, Day discovered that he had mismanaged or embezzled $20 million of her money in league with a crooked lawyer.
Doris said during the marriage, Melcher would not even let her buy a painting for their home-—or redo some of the rooms. He put her into projects w/out her knowledge and took the money paid to her. She did not know Melcher was hoarding all her money w/ the lawyer.
In her auto/bio, Doris devotes pages and pages to the ordeal....and the judge’s decision vindicating her......she was not able to recoup all the money, but the oily lawyer’s malpractice insurance company paid her some $10 million.
Ironically, Dorsi tried to warn Kirk Douglas who had the same lawyer working w/ a crooked accountant. Kirk dismissed the warning.
Later on. Kirks’ astute new wife asked him where all his holdings and earnings as a major star were.
Anne Douglas hired an accounting firm w/out Kirk’s knowledge-—the firm told her there was nothing in Kirk’s name.....the accountant/lawyer crooks stole it all.
okay--now i must see it again! i have seen it a couple of times, but it has been years... there are certain things about it that remind me of The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone... the creepiness of thinking you are being followed...
I had no idea she was alive!
“You are my inspiration, Doris....”
He moved out of the house and sublet it to Sharon Tate. Unfortunately, the rest is history.
Re; unflattering, nonsensical, Rock Hudson dominated remarks; I rarely comment on posts not complementary to subjects I have posted (which are few)- but suppose, just suppose that by some outside chance Doris’ secretary drew her attention to FR and this post about her, (as some have their secretaries do because they want to keep up on what’s being said about them- and I’ve read that she’s a staunch Conservative and reads and participates in some sites.)
Is this really what we would want her to surmise about what we think of this fine Conservative super star?
She was also a beautiful style icon. Her gowns by Jean Louis, especially in “Pillow Talk,” were absolutely gorgeous. The red coat with matching leopard hat and muff were (are) ultra-chic and the cream evening gown with matching fur stole and full length gloves were (are) the epitome of elegance.
Wow !
Thanks. Very good Doris site. :)
Isn’t it amazing that so many women super stars married crooks like Melcher?
One that comes to mind is Debbie Reynold’s marriage to colossal crook, Harry Karl, who gambled away both his fortune and hers.
You must not be a Classic movie fan, sweetie.
Yes! I loved her beautiful wardrobes in all her movies..
especially in the 60’s.
Also her beautiful hairstyles.
No... I am not....
What a lovely woman. So strange — I was thinking about her very early this morning, and I have no idea why.
Happy birthday to one of my favorite actress/singers!
Even stranger; a Conservative Hollywood star who made it big anyway despite her political beliefs. Many Conservatives are afraid to 'come out' for fear of never working again in Libtard HW.
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