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For the longest time,Doris Day fans, me included, have complained that Doris Day was not given her due, that she was being ignored by the media, authors, award shows etc. And, mostly, the complaints were warranted since this was the case. Tons of books were written about Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor, all contemporaries of Ms. Day, but, none about Doris Day. For varied reasons, some already written about here, Doris Day was given the cold shoulder by Hollywood, the media and the Entertainment industry as a whole. This trend slowly started changing as DVD’s of Ms. Day’s old movies  came out and they were quite popular with the fans.

One of the biggest moneymakers of the past was again seen as interesting commercially. I guess, money talks.

Recently , it was announced that Ms.Day will be honoured with a life time achievement Grammy. What took them so long, and why is the Academy still holding out with honouring Ms. Day?

Suddenly,Doris Day is interesting again, and not just to her loyal following. This reminds me of the Chinese curse where you wish your enemy an interesting life. And another one: ‘watch what you wish for, for it might come true’.

In the past two years,a series of books poured out, one about her TV career, another one about her film and music career,and, the most recent one, about her private life. Debate ensued about the merits, or lack of. of those books.

In June a new book is coming out. It is written by David Kaufman and it promises to be controversial. Hopefully, it will be respectful of Ms. Day. But, respectful doesn’t usually sell books, unless, you are writing about Audrey Hepburn, who is treated as a saint by the media.

One consolation is that whatever Kaufmann might say about Ms. Day it will be in today’s blase climate where no one is shocked about anything anymore. With the Hollywood crowd pushing the envelope about what is scandalous , nothing is scandalous anymore ,except,an untimely death of a young celebrity, Anna Noicole Smith, or ,just the other day, of Heath Ledger.

Looking into my crystal ball,I predict that Doris Day will be given much more media attention in the next few years and Carmel will be a busier place as people look for Doris Day.

Hopefully, all this will pass under her radar, and, if not, she is wise enough to know that this, too, will pass.

As a longtime fan of Ms Day I don’t wish her an ‘interesting’ time , but a healthy and good time with her human and animal friends.  

I will keep on dreaming that a very good and respected author will write the definitive book about Ms, Day’s career ,as well as, her contribution to the the American and world culture. In short, explain the Doris Day phenomenon.

Dear readers you are welcome to share about your “dream book” about Ms. Day.

Happy New Year 2008 to all!

Since I started this Website/Blog in 2006 many wonderful Doris Day moments have transpired. I met and corresponded with many wonderful fans of the divine Ms. Day and I also took a couple of memorable trips to LA and Carmel.

As I have stated in my previous posts, Doris Day inspires many of us to create, whether it be creating Websites like Bryan J. and Stephen M. ( Doris Day Web Forum and PILLOW TALK - The Doris Day Forum , respectively), writing books, magazines, calenders and even a quilt dedicated to Doris and her animal causes.

One person who has been inspired by Doris is Sue Gökgör. I had the pleasure of meeting this dear lady. She heads the F.O.D.D. club. I asked her to present her club:

The Friends of Doris Day (F.O.D.D.) is a not-for-profit club endorsed
by Doris Day, MOF, (Medal of Freedom, the highest honour given to
citizens of the USA in recognition of their work). Started in 1997, The Friends of Doris Day, (F.O.D.D.), is an International Doris Day appreciation club, based in Oxford, UK - and the only Doris Day fan club in the UK. The club publishes three magazines a year, packed full of articles and information you won’t find anywhere else, including memorabilia signed by Doris herself for auction or sale.

Miss Day herself is the President of F.O.D.D.

In addition to well-researched and presented articles, news, reviews of the latest releases and what’s in the pipeline, the magazine contains many sale items, fun quizzes with prizes, letters from members, and many photos. Also included is a special Christmas message by Doris herself. The magazine is printed on quality paper averaging 36 A4 sized pages. Two of the three issues each year have covers printed in colour
- front and back - and sometimes inside covers as well.

F.O.D.D. celebrates Doris’ birthday each year with a dinner party, an
annual get-together in Oxford in the summer and meet up for a film show
wherever/whenever possible. The club keep in regular touch with Doris,
and she with the club so becoming a member of this unique friendly club
will bring you closer to Doris.

I get a thrill everytime I receive Sue’s magazine. Thanks Sue for your dedication.

To become a memeber of F.O.D.D.you can write to Dr Sue Gökgör, 71 East Avenue, OXFORD OX4 1XR, UK. eMail: suegokgor@aol.com (Check Bryan’s website for more info http://www.dorisday.net/Friends-of-Doris-Day.htm)

I can’t cover the sheer creative activity of Doris’ fans but there are those that make really nice Doris videos on YouTube. Bryan, Tanja and Peter are some of those creative souls.

Other fans, like Roberta, from California, are the great collectors of Doris Day memorabillia. She has a whole room dedicated to Doris’ stuff, but not just any stuff, we’re talking about the creme de la creme stuff, things that could be a start of a Doris Day Museum. I can’t wait to one day visit and see her wonderful collection.

Then there are those people who do wonderful things for Doris , but ,like to remain behind the scenes.

If anybody has been inspired by Doris and her causes and would like to share your project, you’re welcome to present it.

This brings me to the initial purpose of this Website, hence the title of my post. If you read the Introduction , you will remember that my goal was to film a romantic comedy inspired by Doris Day.

Well, the filming which began in March of 2007 is now over and the exciting project of editing is in front of me and my editors. I was also inspired to write 5 songs. One song, which is called Modern Romance, is also the name of the film and references Doris. Another song , which is called the Animal Song, is dedicated to her. This evening we finished recording the songs. It’s a great feeling!

A brief synopsis:

Modern Romance is the story of a Doris Day loving florist who meets a wannabe gangsta rapper on the Internet. She wants to turn him into a romantic leading man. He just wants to bed her. Can these two disparate characters find true love? Find out in this funny, romantic and song-filled film. ( I hope, LOL)