19 Doris Day Movies That Show Just How Talented the Starlet Really Was
The blonde beauty could dance, sing and act like no other — see if your favorite film made the list!
We all know and love Doris Day as a singer, actress and animal activist, but you may be surprised to find out that her original dream was to be a dancer. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1922 to a homemaker mother and a music teacher father, Doris Mary Kappelhoff (she took on her stage name Doris Day later) formed a dance duo with Jerry Doherty. Together, they traveled around the country and competed in nationwide contests. However, in an unfortunate tragedy, Day was in a car accident in which the vehicle collided with a freight train. She broke her leg in the accident and it ultimately halted her dance ambitions. While recovering from her accident, Day discovered an interest in singing, which lead to some of the best Doris Day movies — and the rest, as they say, is history.
From Dancing to Singing
In the wake of her accident, Day spent her days passing the time by listening to the radio, singing along with greats like Ella Fitzgerald, who she especially took a liking to.
When Day’s mother made arrangements for her to take singing lessons, her instructor, Grace Raine, saw a natural talent and struck up a deal: three lessons a week for the price of one.
With consistent practice under the guidance of Raine, Day secured a spot on a Cincinnati radio program and performed at local restaurants. Although small steps, these opportunities led her to the people who could take her career to the next step.
Becoming Doris Day
Day’s radio performances proved to be fruitful, as it caught the attention of orchestra leader Barney Rapp who was seeking out a female vocalist. Thanks to her performance of the song “Day After Day,” the stage name “Doris Day” came to be, leaving behind Doris Mary Kappelhoff. Her connection with Rapp led her to Les Brown and his Band of Renown in 1940, leading to her first opportunities as a recording artist.
Some of her most beloved songs include “Whatever Will Be, Will Be,” “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “Secret Love,” “Sentimental Journey,” “A Bushel and a Peck” and “Everybody Loves a Lover” to name a few. Her recognition as a singer caught the attention of big-wigs in a different industry: film.
The top Doris Day movies
Doris Day started out in musical movies, and she eventually transitioned into other genres, making more than 32 films in her career and even starred in The Doris Day Show from 1968 to 1973. Here, take a look at our favorite Doris Day movies over the years!
1. It’s a Great Feeling (1949)
It’s a Great Feeling put Doris Day alongside Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan in this comedic parody of the Hollywood movie-making industry. Doris Day played waitress Judy Adams, who moved to Hollywood to make it big in the movies, and begins dealing with the attention of Carson and Morgan’s characters.
2. My Dream Is Yours (1949)
Day plays a single mother whose talents get discovered by agent Doug Blake, who is searching for a new radio singer when his client won’t renew his contract. She once again acts alongside Jack Carson in the film.
3. Tea for Two (1950)
Doris Day plays Nanette, an actress who seeks money from her uncle to fund her boyfriend’s musical, which he promises to make her the star of. Her uncle will grant her the money, but only if she answers “no” to everything she’s asked over the course of two days.
4. Young Man With a Horn (1950)
Doris Day stars alongside Kirk Douglas and Lauren Bacall, with Douglas playing a talented trumpet player in one of her classic movies. The film was inspired by the novel by Dorothy Baker, which chronicled the life of jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke.
5. The West Point Story (1950)
James Cagney plays a Broadway director who makes his way to West Point to put together a show. Doris Day and James Cagney also worked together in 1951’s Love Me or Leave Me.
6. I’ll See You In My Dreams (1951)
Day stars alongside Danny Thomas as a songwriting duo in the 1951 musical film, I’ll See You In My Dreams. The film is actually a biography of real-life songwriting couple Gus Kahn and Grace LeBoy.
7. On Moonlight Bay (1951)
On Moonlight Bay tells the story of tomboyish Marjorie, played by Day, who falls for the new boy-next-door when her family moves to a new neighborhood. The film was loosely inspired by the Penrod stories by Booth Tarkington.
8. Lullaby of Broadway (1951)
In this popular musical, Day plays a showgirl who lives in London, but returns to her New York home to visit her mother. She catches the eye of a Broadway producer and her life takes an interesting turn.
9. April In Paris (1952)
Day plays a chorus girl accidentally invited to a Paris theatre festival. There, she finds herself falling in love in the midst of the misunderstanding.
10. The Winning Team (1952)
The winning team puts Doris Day alongside future 40th president, Ronald Reagan, in this fictionalized biography of major league pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander. Day plays his wife in the film.
11. By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)
By the Light of the Silvery Moon serves as the followup film to On Moonlight Bay. The story continues the love story of Day and Gordon MacRae’s characters.
12. Calamity Jane (1953)
Doris Day plays Calamity Jane, a sharpshooter who rescues cavalry Lt. Danny Gilmartin, and ultimately falls for him. This western musical shows Day in a different light.
13. Lucky Me (1954)
Day stars as a member of a down-on-their-luck theatre troupe. Lucky Me was the first musical produced in the CinemaScope process.
14. Love Me or Leave Me (1955)
James Cagney plays a controlling criminal who gives a down-on-her-luck dancer a shot at fame. As her popularity grows, so does his controlling nature.
15. Julie (1956)
Doris Day plays a wife on the run from her controlling and abusive husband. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Best Song.
16. It Happened To Jane (1958)
Doris Day runs a restaurant supply business who suffers at the hands of the railroad company that failed to deliver 300 lobsters on time. Employing her lawyer friend to sue the railroad company, she finds herself at the center of a bit of public attention, as well as romantic attention.
17. Pillow Talk (1959)
Neighbors Brad and Jan share a telephone party line, but Jan is fed up with Brad’s constant overuse to woo female suitors. When her complaint against him goes unresolved, he poses as a Texas rancher and the two fall in love — but not without a love triangle arising, making things complicated.
18. Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960)
As the wife of professor-turned-theatre critic who struggles with her husband’s newfound fame and gallivanting with Broadway starlets, Day delivers in this 1960s drama.
19. Do Not Disturb (1965)
Day plays Janet, the wife of Mike Harper (played by Rod Taylor), who assumes that her husband is having an affair while working in London. To play his game, she begins her own “affair,” although fake, to get him back.
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