Que
Sera, Sera
"The Magic of Doris Day Through Television"
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Celebrating Doris Day’s glorious 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 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 except the odd
promotional spot in connection with a newly
released film.
From being the top female box-office movie star
at the beginning of the 60’s, it must have been
shock news by its end when she discovered she
was committed to an iron-clad contract to make a
television sitcom, having been signed up without
her knowledge by husband/agent/manager Marty
Melcher who had unfortunately died before she
was made aware of the reality of the situation.
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.
Example pages from inside Pierre's book...
Whilst US viewers had access to this series,
others were not so lucky and for thirty years
THE DORIS DAY SHOW has rarely been seen.
However, the wonder of DVD has now brought the
Show back for our enjoyment and appraisal via
four available Seasons and the final box-set due
later in 2007.
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 also aptly 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.
Book
Review
by Allen Pollock
n
