Is there a Doris Day revival going on? Where to begin?
Since April 3rd at the Cypress Inn where we celebrated Doris’ Birthday, all kinds of Doris Day related news have been popping up. That day Magic 63 broadcast a live Tribute to Doris Day for her Birthday. Dozens of fans from all over the world phoned in to give their Birthday greetings to Doris. Twice that day, at 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM, Doris called in. She sounded great, but also emotional due to the outpouring of love she was receiving from her fans and for the loss of some of her animal companions.
She was touched by the gifts her fans sent her , and ,especially, the quilt stitched together by Barb MacFadden which fans all over the world got the opportunity to participate in. I’m happy to have been one of the people who put my message on that quilt. Thanks Barb. The quilt arrived at the Cypress Inn the night before, but unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to see it as I was still flying to San Francisco at that time. The people who saw the quilt live said it was spectacular.
The quilt also made it on a documentary that was being shot at the Cypress Inn. This is a German documentary about Doris Day and will be shown on the ARTE network in Germany and presented at the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival. I spoke to the director and hoped that the documentary was going to be positive about Doris. He said that it will be very positive. He said they will refrain from using tired old cliches about Doris and will also talk about her place in the woman’s movement of the time. The director also said he was nervous and excited about having spoken to Doris on the air Some of the fans were interviewed for the documentary.
About 21 ,or so, of us had supper in the little dining area in the back of Terry’s Lounge. We ate well, laughed, watched Please Don’t Eat The Daisies and got invaded by the film crew. LLoyd and Roberta and Dee gave lovely presents to the DD fans. I gave my CD of recorded songs that will be in my movie “Modern Romance” . I also sent this CD to Doris to whom it is also dedicated. There is an Animal Song which I hope she will enjoy.
This was the second annual gathering at the Cypress Inn of Doris Day Fans in order to celebrate her Birthday. In 2007 was the first gathering. This idea came to some of us , Ant, Ro, Dee and me at the Pierre Patrick book launch in 2006, in LA.
Ant, LLoyd, Rennie, Roberta, Dee, Tanja, Kim, David, Zora, Monserrat, Katie, Wanda, Karen, Michael, Mike, Dave, Mark, Sheila , Mary, April, Mark, Danny and me, Velda. Later that evening we were joined by Jeanne Marie, a DD fan who does a Doris tribute. We all went to the salon and did a sing along with her. The film crew followed us. Fun was had by all.
The next morning, April 4, Doris, through her manager Nancy, thanked the fans at the Cypress Inn and treated us to a bottle of champagne. We drank to her good health and to many more get togethers for her Birthday.
That afternoon, we went to Stravaganza one of Doris’ favorite places to eat. We had an opportunity to talk to the friendly owner, Harry, who told us about Doris’ favourite food. I learnt one new thing about Doris. She’s no vegetarian. One of these days I’ll write down her favourite foods. We told Harry that Doris praised his food twice on the radio show. He was beaming. He got great publicity from Doris Day. You can’t pay for that kind of publicity!
And so our happy time came to an end and everybody went back to their everyday lives, filled with great memories of friendships renewed and made, and doggies petted in Doris land.
I was going to write more: the Vanity Fair article, which, by the way, had great pictures of Doris, David Kaufmann’s book etc, but its time tio say goodnight and we’ll leave the controversial stuff for next time.
Sweet dreams.
April 18th, 2008 at 5:10 am
hello dear Velda,it has take me some time to answer you because I really have quite bussy…. but here I go: You said everything I wanted to say…to go to Carmel for Doris Big Day was the most existing exprience so far for me…and also knowing you and all the rest was fantastic…Every minute of it it will remain in my mind for ever….On Sunday I walk all along Carmel Valley Road up to the Quail Lodge…I am looking forward to see you in July….Montserrat
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April 22nd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hi, Velda:
Long time!
I had planned on going to Carmel, but there was nothing on your website that said you were all going to be there again, so I ended up not going.. It sounded like you all had great fun!
I’m going to start performing my Doris Tribute again starting this Saturday, the 26th at a place called Frenchy’s in Long Beach. Proceeds to go to DDAL. I hope people don’t consider the content “cliche” about Doris. My information is all taken from her autobiography. Basically, my message is about Doris’ perseverence, her inner strength, her faith in God, her love for life. It’s inspiring.
Some younger people in their 20’s and teens, who are not familiar with Doris have attended the show and they were caught up in the story and songs. I don’t sing all of her signature songs, but all of them are songs she has recorded at one time like “It had to be you”, etc.. The next generation should know about Doris Day. I’m a woman with a mission!
Hope we will cross paths again like that day in Toluca Lake!
Blessings,
Yoly
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April 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Thanks for posting Montserrat. It was great celebrating Doris’ Birthday with you and other fans.
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April 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 am
Hi Yoly, I was wandering what was happening with you. i forgot to e-mail you about the BDay celebration in Carmel. The DD forums were mentioning it for months, though.
I’m glad you’re taking the show on the road.
Are you coming close to Montreal?
I finished filming my movie. Now, it’s editing time. We recorded the songsa for the movie and I sent a copy to Doris to whom it is dedicated. Maybe one day you’ll sing some of my songs. Talk to you soon. Ve.
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April 23rd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I love Montreal! I’ve been there only once and that was years ago. I’ll have to plan a trip again. Is there some way I can get a copy of your movie? Feel free to contact me anytime about anything. Take care, Yoly
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May 25th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Hello Velda,
I loved reading your blog about Carmel. It was truly a magical time! Mary, has a part-time job at a bakery. She works 2 hours on a Wednesday and 2 hours on a Thursday. She informed me if I didn’t go back next year she would save all her money, buy a tent and a plane ticket and camp out on Carmel beach…well it seems I have no choice! what sort of a mother would I be to let a 15 year old take off for America on her own…now I really do have to come back to Carmel, ho hum it’s a hard life, but somebody has to live it!
Montserrat said “see you in July” in her contribution…does that mean you are coming for the FODD get-together? I hope so!!! be great to see you again. Check out Karen and my contribution to the FODD magazine when it comes out…you are mentioned, well how could we forget you!
Sheila
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June 4th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Hey Velda,
God it was great to meet you!! We just have to do it all over again next year!! Take care and let’s have another glass of champagne to toast Doris’ good health.
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June 5th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Hi Sheila,We had a great time in Carmel and if I get a plane ticket I’ll see you in Oxford.
Cheers
Velda
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June 5th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Hi Karen, Sounds like a great idea.
Velda
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June 8th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Velda….. Our favorite movie maker… I am having a sleepless night here, and I thought I’d check out your web site…. It was great reading the posts about the birthday celebration..
Many good memories about many fine people. We are
hoping to get to Carmel again in October.
Your web site is always refreshing and interesting…just like you, my dear!
Thinking of you with smiles and we hope to see you again soon.. Hugs to you all the way from Sacramento.
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June 8th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Nice to hear from you Ro. I’d love to come to Carmel, but, can’t. Hugs to you and Dee and congratulations on the new additions to the family.
Velda
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August 1st, 2008 at 6:06 am
Hello again dear VELDA,you deserve the big leters,about that bottle of xampagne that lovely Doris send us…..I took it (empty of course) back to Eton with me…..I put a fresh flower every day….I am mad ???? Montserrat
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October 26th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
i love doris and what she does for animals
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January 21st, 2009 at 1:56 am
I do nto care if I ever meet a president of the U.S. or any other country. I would very much like to meet Doria Day. I hope she is a christian and I see her in Jesus The Christ’s Kingdom because I would stand in line to meet her. She has made me laugh more than anyone else in the entertainment industry. If you see her, tell her “hello” for me. I love her films and would love to have them all. We are watching one right now, Glass Bottom Boat Thanks, Judy
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April 7th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Hi Doris,
Hope you had a lovely birthday. It was wonderful to hear your phone in at Magic 63.
Your career -films, radio and television has brightened my life. THANK YOU!
Allen Pollock
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