"What A Difference A Day Made" (German documentary
film)...
by
Stephen M
(Last updated: 14 March 2009, 11:45pm)
A quirky, new
documentary film about Doris Day will debut in Europe on the
small screen in time for her birthday.....
"What A Difference A Day Made - Doris Day Superstar"
is a brand new documentary film, that has been
produced by Andrew Davies and André Schäfer for
Florian Film, a German production company based in
Cologne. The project was commissioned for the
European culture channel ARTE TV for broadcast prior
to Doris Day's 2009 birthday.
I do
think it is an unfortunate situation that when the
words "biography" and "Doris Day" are used in the
same sentence one becomes a tad uneasy. I think I
can speak for the majority of DD admirers when I say
most of us empathise with the star's wishes to live
a peaceful existence without any more unscrupulous
individuals trying to make a fast buck out of her
life. But on saying that no one can deny the fact
that it is human nature for us to be genuinely
interested in how such a truly special and talented
lady came to great prominence.
I am
relieved to report that this latest biographical
offering is nothing more than that. It is an
endearing account of Doris Day's life and career
delivered in a quirky and fun way. It's as cute and
as wholesome as the lady it is about - offering a
fascinating insight into Doris's distant Germanic
roots, her hardworking days in Hollywood and
twilight years retired with her dogs in a
picturesque and pet-friendly town. There is not a
hint of tabloid spin but instead serious and
respectful journalism which actually enables Joe
Public to impartially appraise the woman who is a
cultural icon of the 20th and 21st century.
What
I commend most of all is the German production team
have not tried to compete with the "authorised"
1998 A&E
Biography which I consider to be the most
definitive television programme about Doris Day
(especially as it features many of Ms. Day's
co-stars and friends who have sadly since passed
away). It instead delivers a cheery,
"tongue-in-cheek" study which is remarkably
refreshing and enjoyable to watch.
The
nuts and bolts of what you can expect are a healthy
dose of movie, television and song clips which
represent all facets of Doris Day the entertainer;
unique material from private archives; all-new
interviews with actors Philip Brown, Peter Graves,
Jackie Joseph and Noah Keen, biographers
Pierre Patrick and
Tom Santopietro, Doris Day fans, childhood
acquaintances and even distant relatives from
Germany. This is all wrapped up with some
fascinating on-location filming of historical
landmarks and buildings relevant to Doris Day's
family, career and life from her birth place of
Cincinnati, her current home town of
Carmel-by-the-Sea to the German province. A 2008
telephone conversation between Doris and the film's
makers is also notably contained which occurred
during Doris's annual "birthday" call-in on her
local radio station with DJ Ed Dickinson [where the
production team were visiting].
My only slight criticism about this film is it could
have paid a little more attention to the wonderful
work Doris and her animal organisations undertake.
Other than that it is apparent throughout that those
involved have taken due care to compile a project
which is merely a timely reminder of what a
difference having Doris Day has made to the world.
"What A Difference A Day Made - Doris Day Superstar"
will be aired in Germany and France on April 2nd
(ARTE, 90 minutes) and in the Netherlands on March
29th (AVRO) in a shorter version (52minutes).
Although a DVD release was being considered I have
just heard from the production makers who advise
this will unfotunately not be possible as the cost
to clear the music featured throughout will be cost
prohibitive.
** STOP PRESS **
BBC Radio 2 are currently working on a new programme
about Doris with the award-winning DJ Russell
Davies. This is said to explore why Ms Day’s work
and significance has kept vivid over the years. It
is scheduled to be broadcast across the UK on the 14 April 2009.
Fans overseas will also be able to "LISTEN LIVE" via the
station's
website.
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