Doris Mary Anne von Kappelhoff, more commonly known as the one and only Doris Day, is the epitome of box office smash. Largely known for her roles in romantic comedies and downy musicals, Doris Day still has a considerable fan base today and is revered for her work with animal rights. According to a Quigley Publishing poll, she is the top-ranking box office female star of all time. That’s gotta count for something, right?
With her short blonde hair and cheerful personality, Day was known for being both a prolific actress and singer. In fact, she has recorded over 650 songs to go alongside her 39 motion pictures. As America’s Sweetheart, Day’s unencumbered buoyancy dominated the 50s and 60s and made her synonymous with the idea of on-screen wholesomeness.
With the TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection, the starlet is showcased with five films making their debuts on DVD. This is actually the third box set of Doris Day films released by Warner Bros. This particular set includes April in Paris, It’s a Great Feeling, Starlift, Tea for Two, and The Tunnel of Love.
1952’s April in Paris features co-star Ray Bolger and works as a musical. It is based around the concept of mistaken identity, with Day starring as a chorus girl who gets an invitation to represent America in Paris by mistake. Wholesome, innocuous, and generally bland, April in Paris is a perfect depiction of archetypal 50s puritanical attitudes.
1951’s Starlift is, quite frankly, awful. It is a typical nationalistic film, working as a sort of throwback to the World War II rah-rah motion pictures that attempted to drum up bountiful public sentiment. It’s an irritating mess, with pop-ins from Gary Cooper, James Cagney, and others all playing themselves. It’s kind of an unusual addition to this set, too, as Day effectively vanishes after about a half hour despite having first billing. Not a bad idea, really.
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