In the old movies, some of us always identified with the bad girls. In Sleeping Beauty, I always thought the princess was dull, but Maleficent, who could turn into a firebreathing purple dragon? What a woman!
And then some girls always wanted to be Doris Day, the wholesome good girl who always got the guy in the end. There's a new book by Tom Santopietro that argues the actress, singer, comedienne, and big-time '50s-'60s star has been underrated for years -- and I think he may have a point.
Looking back, I sort of enjoyed all those sweet-natured romantic comedies, and her "Que Sera, Sera" turn in the American remake of Man Who Knew Too Much. In fact, the first movie I saw at the drive-in theater as a tot was one of hers: Pillow Talk with Rock Hudson. (Obviously before we knew the whole truth about Rock. He was just too, too good-looking to be true. Sigh.)
Anyway, it seems like Santopietro's "Conisdering Doris Day" could be a good read, with a warm and appreciative look back at an iconic American film actress.
Publicity still from The Man Who Knew Too Much, courtesy Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press
Comments
It’s about time Doris Day, the number one female box office star of all time, was appreciated for her amazing versatility as an actress, singer, dancer and comedienne. She was unjustly labeled as the perennial “virgin” during the sexual revolution, a label that had nothing to do with her or her many varied screen performances. I guess her wholesome personality, and the fact that she was so incredibly popular at the time, made her an easy mark. Thank goodness, she’s finally getting some of the appreciation she richly deserves!
doris day is a true legend,she is one star i never hear badly spoken of,im dedicating a blog page on her,so please take a look.
http://dorisday-calamity.blogspot.com/