The Doris Day Songbook by Doris Day

Author:Doris Day
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Published: 2013-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

The sudden death of Marty Melcher in 1968 was catalyst to Doris’s discovering he and business partner Jerry Rosenthal had squandered her earnings, leaving her deeply in debt. Years were taken up suing Rosenthal in the courts, with a large civil judgment eventually awarding Doris twenty million dollars. After legal fees, she received only a fraction of that amount. Doris also discovered Melcher had committed her to a television sitcom series. Despite grave misgivings, and a dislike of television, the ultimate need to clear her debts convinced Doris to go ahead with “The Doris Day Show,” netting her a Golden Globe (1969) for Best Actress in a Television Series. With annual changes in formula, she successfully steered the series for five years (1968-1973) as co-executive producer with son Terry. Her contract completed, she left the grueling schedule on her own terms. Additionally, two television specials, “The Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff Special” (1971) and “Doris Day Today” (1975), gave Doris a chance to sing with friends Perry Como and John Denver as guests. A cable television series, “Doris Day and Friends,” had limited coverage during 1985-86 and featured a talk-show format, with topics mainly dedicated to animal welfare.

Publication of her autobiography, Doris Day: Her Own Story, in 1976 was a surprisingly honest account, as related to A.E. Hotchner. The book revealed much of the painful trauma in her private life and three marriages, which had been masked by her sunny on-screen and recording image. Television interviews ensured the book became a best seller.

Challenges and Honors

I always felt that making a living wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, and I decided I was going straight ahead and try to be as uncomplicated as possible. The important thing in life is just living and loving. —Doris Day

The 2004 death of Doris’s beloved son Terry was a major blow. They weren’t just mother and son, but considered one another buddies. Terry was there for Doris when Marty died and helped guide her through the endless legal battles, financial difficulties and launch of her new television series. During the same year, Doris was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. At the time, she said, “I am deeply grateful to the President and to my country... To come from Cincinnati, Ohio, for God’s sake, then to go to Hollywood, and to get this kind of tribute from my country... I love this country so much.” Unfortunately, a gripping fear of flying caused Doris to miss attending the award ceremony personally.

She has also turned down an honorary Academy Award and Kennedy Center Honors Award because flying to accept these in person would be impossible. However, she did receive a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in February 2008 and in her absence, Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole were on hand for the tribute, accepting the honor on Doris’s behalf. Her last appearance at such a public event was to pick up her Golden Globe in 1989, which was presented by her Carmel, California neighbor and friend Clint Eastwood.

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