Pierre Patrick & Garry McGee
Review von Allen Pollock
Any consideration of Doris Day's movie and recording career makes it so easy to overlook her later foray into television. The fact that Hollywood's popular acting elite of the 50's and 60's were reluctant to involve themselves with the small screen was due to the very realistic fear such activity would diminish their cinema box-office appeal. That relevant factor combined with obvious time constraints was no doubt the reason Doris made few television appearances during her movie career.
Voted top female box-office movie star at the beginning of the 60's, she must have been knocked sideways on discovering near its end the existence of an iron-clad contract signed without her knowledge to appear in a television sitcom. This coincided with the untimely death of husband/agent/manager/producer, Marty Melcher and the subsequent discovery her entire earned fortune had disappeared due to unscrupulous dealings. In such circumstances, having to switch gears and enter the fast and furious production requirements of small-screen-media must have been a bitter pill to swallow. However, Doris soon knuckled down and THE DORIS DAY SHOW was launched by CBS in 1968 for a five year run ending in 1973 with the Day personality enabling the show's family-friendly cheerfulness combined with frequently changing plot formulae which moved its initial static rural setting to the more plot inspiring environs of San Francisco and the world of publishing which allowed Doris to benefit from sophisticated glamour and romantic attachments reminiscent of her Universal screen comedies. Overcoming her obvious early reluctance, Doris gradually took control of the Show with son, Terry, and growing annual ratings were due in no small measure to their hands-on involvement in ensuring all those participating before and behind camera worked as happy team.
After its showing on US television THE DORIS DAY SHOW virtually disappeared until the recent release of DVD box-sets which finally allow appraisal with four currently available and the final due for release later this year.
It's therefore opportune that QUE SERA, SERA: THE MAGIC OF DORIS DAY THROUGH TELEVISION should be written and published with its emphasis on chronicling THE DORIS DAY SHOW - a synopsis of each episode; descriptions of the actors involved, plus production values and behind-the-scenes detail. The book's Forward has been written by Jackie Joseph, a friend of Doris, who appeared in Season's four and five. Producer Don Genson is on hand to give a general view of the Show.
The book fully describes two musical "Specials" THE DORIS MARY KAPPELHOFF SPECIAL (1971) - with guest Perry Como - now also available on DVD and DORIS DAY TODAY (1975) with John Denver and Rich Little as guests. A magazine format series DORIS DAY'S BEST FRIENDS ran on US cable 1985/86, putting the spotlight on animal welfare issues within its mix of interviews and music and attracting such guests as Rock Hudson, Les Brown, Tony Bennett and Howard Keel. DORIS DAY: A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY (1991), a PBS documentary is also featured.
Additionally, the authors turn the clock back to list (incomplete) the other early 50's DORIS DAY SHOW - a syndicated half-hour radio series in the USA - which was also partially adapted and broadcast by the BBC Light Programme in the UK. Adding to nearly 200 black and white photographs and film posters, thumbnail descriptions of the Day movies and significant recordings are adequately covered, whilst authors, Pierre Patrick and Garry McGee individually reflect on the Day career etc. Most important of all is an interview with the lady herself.
Whilst there are no obvious errors in the facts, I wish someone had decided on the form and correction of "Kapplehoff" or "Kappelhoff" but that is a minor gripe. To sum up, the authors must be congratulated on the outcome of their research for this book is a veritable reference delight for Day fans with its detailed information. Others will also appreciate and learn about this neglected element of the Day career.
Tanja[/center]
