Interview with David Kaufman, June 2009

[webmaster]

I promised David Kaufman that I would do a piece on his book and I've just published it in Blog format.
In my questions to him I have tried to include the criticisms made by some people here.

I don't want to restart the debate but I thought you might be interested in reading it. On the last page there is a radio interview with him that you can listen to which mentions Dominique (not by name but as an example of how Doris is still making fans among young people).
On the same page, I have also joined up the whole of Doris' Magic63 interview, which you can download as a keepsake.

I've also illustrated it with photos of her - many from our Doris pics pages - my favourite being the one above.

Constructive criticism and comments welcome.

http://dorisday.net/blog/

[John M]

That was a very sweet tribute to Kaufman and his book. Thanks for posting it.

[ray]

David has tried with stunning results to get Doris's story out to today's public. The Book is class from front cover to back page. David is a talented sincere gentleman who believes in his subject. He is also so nice and considerate to eveyone he comes in contact with. Glad you posted the blog.

[webmaster]

Thanks a lot. John - hope it's a tribute to Doris as well.

And thanks Ray too - Yes, he's a very warm person to meet in real life - and sensitive - I was surprised how upset he admitted was over some of the comments made about his book. But he's spent years 'desperately seeking Doris' and he's also very disappointed that she won't read the book.

[suzie]

Very good interview of Mr. Kaufman Bryan. Great job !!!

[daybyday08]

That was a wonderful interview you did! I really loved it so much. I thought the questions were very interesting and well thought. I was surprised how long his answers were it was great! That was really nice of him to mention me. I guess I should have told him I'm from Moscow not Eerie Pennsylvania . I thought the questions on the interview on the radio were great too !

[ray]

David did a wonderful job in getting the book out there!

[webmaster]

Thanks Dominique, I enjoyed your interview with him as well - how's the journalism going?

And Ray, the way I see it is that the book is essentially David's take on the Doris Day story. That's all a book is at the end of the day, however good or bad, one person's perspective and as I said in my comments I don't think any book can fully explain another human being. I wish, thinking about it, that he had been able to speak to some of her close friends that are no longer with us, people like Rock Hudson, Billy De Wolfe, etc - or among those still here, James Garner, Rod Taylor. But it's a serious book and deserves to be taken seriously. I don't think David objects to any constructive criticism of it - just people dismissing it out of hand.

[Lauren Benjamin]

This from a reader of the Orlando Sentinal:

"I finished reading David Kaufman's '08 biography of Doris Day a while back and thought maybe I'd watch one of her old movies, but I couldn't think of one I'd want to see again. After finishing the book, I didn't really care much for her."

Lauren

[howard]

Different strokes for different folks!

[webmaster]

After finishing the book, I didn't really care much for her.

Sounds like perhaps she didn't care too much in the first place.

Lauren, this wasn't worthy of a topic on it's own - particularly as it's negative - so I've moved it here. Please be economical about new topics, there is usually something related or general discussions going on, otherwise we end up with too many topics that just get a couple of replies.

[Jas1]

I responded to that inane comment on the site where it first appeared: it just doesn't add up and makes no sense whatsover!

[webmaster]

Well done, Jas. She's entitled to her opinion but she's not really saying much. Most of us have stayed with Doris 'no matter what' we read, hear, etc because we have a commitment to her - rather like a family member.

[ray]

All said and done, David's book is a class production from the cover to the photos in the book. Obviously done with good intentions and taste to the most part. Our own lauren looked mighty attractive back in the day with her photo in the book!]

[Lauren Benjamin]

Oh, thanks, Ray, but, you know.....the ravages of time. Some of us have known each other for decades and we wonder where the years have gone. You and Howard I've known since the Convention in 1987. Was that wonderful or what? Howard just sent me some more wonderful photos from that event so I'll be sure to post them for all to see.

Hope things are going well with you.
Lauren

[chele_belle]

I just found this on YouTube and it is new to me and seems to be quite recent, so I thought I'd post it here. It looks like Doris is finally going to speak to David Kaufman...

[Lauren Benjamin]

Oh god. Isn't Holt a hoot!!

This is rather old. It dates itself by David mentioning Joani Huntington, the Black Hole. Nope. Ain't gonna happen. No talkie to Doris.

David has already moved on and is in the beginning stages of his Mary Martin book.

Que sera sera.

Lauren

[chele_belle]

Oh. lol I thought it was quite new because they mentioned the repeat of the CBS segment. I'm always late to the party! lol

As for Holt, I only discovered him a little while ago, but he's certainly a character. lol Definitely someone to liven up a night out!

[daybyday08]

That video was funny. I hope he does get to talk to Doris soon. I wonder what they will talk about when they do talk. I love seeing the neat New York restaurants in these videos.