The Films of Doris Day (1949 - 1968)

[jmichael]

Great job on the video. I make videos as a hobby and understand how much work and time goes into something like this. Very cool that you used the original posters from each of her films too.

One minor quibble: I believe Doris sang a bar or two with Sinatra on "My Love" at the end of the film. It was frustratingly brief but -- wow -- their voices were stunning together in song.

Thanks again,
Michael

[mikeydv]

That does not explain the total waste that WB made of the two biggest musical stars in that time period..2 bars of one song does not a duet make; it is more like an afterthought considering it came in the last 5 minutes of the movie!

[Toby_Martin]

I agree Mike and JMichael.

[howard]

Yup, I expected more. Another missed opportunity!

[Musiclover]

To add some more numbers to the mix, doubly impressive when one takes into account Doris's simultaneous vocal career, here are some stats from TCM's 2006 book "Leading Ladies." The book features TCM's choices as the top 50 actresses from the studio era, selected for their "legendary presence to the screen who made a powerful and enduring mark on film history":

In her 20-year film career, Doris made more movies (39) than did any other major American leading lady during that same period. Those who came closest to her prolific output were Susan Hayward (35), Debbie Reynolds (34), and Maureen O'Hara and Elizabeth Taylor (30 each). [O'Hara is a naturalized American citizen and Taylor held dual citizenship in the U.S.; thus, both are included as American leading ladies.]

[Musiclover]

Question: Does anyone know the exact shooting dates (not just the year) for That Touch of Mink, Do Not Disturb, Ballad of Josie, Where Were You . . ., and With Six You Get Eggroll? Thanks.

[webmaster]

I thought that Paul's page might have the answer: http://dorisday.net/box-office.html

Unfortunately not but it gives more info anyway. It might be in one of the books (Considering Doris Day?)
Or you could check the IMdB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040745/?ref_=nv_sr_1

[Musiclover]

Thanks. I had already checked all those sources, but no luck. C'est la vie!

[webmaster]

Oh well, you shouldn't be such a Doris geek!

(He says hypocritically.)

[Musiclover]

Ha! Love your wry humor!

[paul]

I know that "With Six You Get Eggroll" began shooting on Monday, January 8, 1968 and shot for 10 weeks. On Wednesday, February 14, 1968, they held what they called a "Love In", inviting the press to attend a party and see the early rushes from the film.

A 10 week shooting schedule would have meant the film wrapped on or about March 15th, a little over a month prior to Marty's passing on April 20th.

"Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?" started second unit shooting in New York City in July of 1967 but I don't believe they started shooting at the MGM studio until sometime in August. I will try to obtain the date.

At that juncture the film was planned to be the Easter, 1968 attraction at Radio City Music Hall, opening in March of 1968. However, after the Music Hall saw a rough cut of the film, they postponed it to summer of 1968 (it finally opened in August at the Music Hall), because the Hall deemed it "too risqué" for the family audiences that frequented the Easter Show.

I'll try to find the other information on the other titles.

[Musiclover]

Thanks so much, Paul. You are a fountain of very interesting info and it's so nice of you to share.

[Jas1]

As always Paul: thanks for the wealth of information.

[paul]

You're welcome.

"The Glass Bottom Boat" began production in September of 1965 with a location shoot on Catalina Island beginning on Monday, September 13 and wrapping on Sunday, September 19. MGM rented a house for Doris and Marty for the duration of the shoot. The film then moved to MGM's studios in Culver City where it filmed until a couple of days before Thanksgiving (November 25).

When the film was test screened for exhibitors during the early months of 1966, the response was so unanimously positive, that Radio City Music Hall immediately booked it for a June, 1966 playdate. It also opened nationwide during June/July and became Miss Day's biggest US success since "Move Over Darling".

In Australia the film was entitled, "The Spy in Lace Panties" and in the book, "Movie Mystery and Suspense" by John Howard Reid, the film is discussed, including the following:

"Number one at Australian ticket windows for 1967, "The Spy in Lace Panties" was the number one top film not only in number of tickets sold but in actual cash receipts - this despite the fact that the movie was not road-shown but released at normal prices. "Spys" success was Australia-wide, the film gaining first place in all capital cities and in all major provincial and rural areas."

It later also notes:

"As "The Spy in Lace Panties" it became not only the year's top money-earner, but Doris Day's most successful film ever in Oz"

[webmaster]

Wow! The Aussies got the Doris bug as well! (Like us Brits.) Wasn't she big in the Far East too?

[Musiclover]

Another thanks to you, Paul. This film never fails to make me laugh. Everyone in the cast seemed well suited to their roles, and that Rod Taylor is from Australia probably also helped the reception there.

[Renie]

I just got an email from Amazon that is advertising several, not all, of Doris' movies are on sale. The prices look pretty good.

Renie

[Renie]

And, I just got another email from TCM. You might want to check out their DD movie bargains too.

Renie

[Cogerson]

Just updated and moved my Doris Day page to a new website provider. I think the page is better.

http://www.ultimatemovierankings.com/doris-day-movies/

[ray]

The song Once A Year Day could apply to Doris's birthday balconey appearances that she seems to enjoy so much!! She said she hopes to see everyone next year and is sad when everyone is leaving. She waved till the crowd left. So The Pajama Game song sums it up in a way,

[Musiclover]

Very apt, Ray.

[Lauren Benjamin]

"Once a Year Day" is a great song for Doris. I'd love to make a video of it. Oops....maybe I shouldn't have said that being that YT is not allowing copyrighted songs any longer.

Thanks, Ray!
Lauren

[ray]

Your welcome lauren!! Yes would be a good song for that special day!

[ray]

The great years in Doris's film career seems to have been `1955 thru 1960. Good powerful roles and she had the respect she always deserved. Even if she won an Oscar for Love Me or Leave, Pillow Talk, or Midnight Lace would it have changed the outcome of the rest of her movie days? With or without Oscar it was a tremendous movie journey.

[Jas1]

I agree Ray.