Doris Day: Why She Left Hollywood

New Biography Looks At The Bittersweet Life Of America's Sweetheart

(CBS)  When life seemed so much simpler in America - a half century or so ago - Doris Day was America's sweetheart, the beloved "girl next door" and a huge recording and movie star.

"Doris Day is, to this day, the number one female box office star of all time, she's the only one who was number one for four years in a row," David A. Kaufman, author of a new biography about the star, told Sunday Morning correspondent Jerry Bowen. "That was never true of Elizabeth Taylor, Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn, of anyone else!"

In the 1950s and 60s it was hard to find a movie magazine without her beaming face on the cover.

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Photos: Doris Day

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And her leading men came from the "A-list" of the day, says Kaufman, whose new unauthorized biography "Doris Day, The Untold Story Of The Girl Next Door," was released in June.

"Well, famously Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, James Cagney, Jimmy Stewart," said Kaufman.

Add Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas and Jack Lemmon to the list, too.

But Doris Day's reality, like that of that long ago America, was more complex and in some ways darker than the bubbling, everything's coming up roses public image.

At the end of her career she not only left Hollywood. She stopped being Doris Day.

For nearly 30 years now she's lived near Carmel, California. She's an avid animal rights advocate nursing strays back to health on her small ranch. And she's known as "Clara" to most friends - a nickname given to her early in her career.

She's rarely seen in public and rarely heard except for one day each year.

On her birthday a local radio station plays the songs she made famous...and Doris and her alter ego, Clara call in to say thanks.

"Well, her first big hit was 'Sentimental Journey' which she recorded at the very end of the Second World War," Kaufman said. "And it became very popular for that reason with the, with the soldiers abroad who wanted to come home and with their wives here who wanted them home."

It was 1939 when a 17-year-old Doris Kappelhoff of Cincinnati, Ohio began her singing career with the big bands of that era. Her stage name became Day and she was off on the ride of her life.

But for all the success that would follow in song and film, she never found what she wanted most.

"The only thing she ever really wanted was to have a happy marriage and a happy family life," Kaufman said. "And it's the one thing she never had. She was married four times, but she was ultimately not happy with any of her husbands."

By the time she'd won acclaim for her first film, "Romance On The High Seas" in 1948, Day had been married and divorced twice and left with a baby boy. Her first husband beat her. Her second abandoned her.

At age 25 her search for Mr. Right had gone very wrong. But her film career was taking off. And her films were giving a boost to her recordings.

"'It's Magic,' which is in her first film, 'Romance On The High Seas' and then after that the next biggest song is 'Secret Love' from 'Calamity Jane.' And after that comes 'Que Sera, Sera,' which ends up being the biggest of all, of her entire career," said Kaufman.

Cabaret singer Mary Cleere Haran created a one woman show dedicated to the songs of Doris Day.

"She had a lovely lullaby quality to her voice and I think everybody responds to that. And I think it's universal" said Haran.

Haran also wrote and produced a PBS documentary "Sentimental Journey." Now 17 years old, it features a rare interview in which Day reflected on her two decades of filmmaking - 39 films in all - and the one she liked most.

"'Calamity Jane' (was) probably my favorite movie," Day said in the interview. "Because that's the real me. But when I was a little girl I'd stumble. I loved climbing trees and you know skating and doing all the things that the boys did. Yet I loved dolls."

Her most popular film may have been "Pillow Talk," the first of three movies she did with Rock Hudson when both stars were number one at the box office.

Their on screen chemistry was matched by a lifelong off screen friendship. Founded in part, said Kaufmann, on the secret lives they shared, which included her troubled marriages and his homosexuality.

"I think, without ever discussing it, that they could relate to being basically the opposite to what their images suggested," said Kaufman. "For example the girl next door was not above having affairs...at least according to her alleged lovers...baseball player Maury Wills - which she denied - and Mickey Mantle, about which she was silent.

Behind-the-scenes for 17 years of her life was Marty Melcher, agent and husband number three. He tightly managed her career as their marriage quickly became a business relationship.

Day made the money and by accident or design Marty squandered it all. When Melcher died, Day learned her $23 million dollar fortune was actually a $400,000 debt.

The Doris Day show, a situation comedy, saved her. It ran for five years on CBS and paid her legal bills as she fought her late husband's business partners to recover her losses. Eventually she won some of it back:

"I just knew that justice would prevail," Day said at the time. "I've known it all along."

By the early 1970s her career was largely over and her fourth marriage was failing. Despite offers she never took on another TV show until 1985 when she agreed to a cable show devoted to pets. It was called "Doris Day's Best Friends."

The appearance of her human best friend was sad and shocking.

Rock Hudson, gaunt and ghostly pale and gravely ill with AIDS was Day's guest. The illness had opened the door on his secret homosexuality. Hudson died two and a half months after appearing with Day. And she began her retreat from the public eye.

"She looks like Doris Day - a little older, but Doris Day. She still looks great," said actress Kay Ballard, a long-time friend and occasional visitor to Day's Carmel Valley retreat. "She spends time making food for the animals. It's so funny, she has them on a vegetarian diet, and you know she really, she just adores her animals.'

Ballard was a regular on the old Doris Day show. She says her old friend doesn't always answer her phone calls - sometimes doesn't even answer the door. Most days she just wants to be left alone.

"I just think the disappointment she's had in marriages is what turned her off of people and turned her to animals," said Ballard. "And they never disappoint you."

Life may not have been perfect for the girl next door. There were quite a few bumps along the road.

But for Doris Kappelhoff from Cincinnati, Ohio, it's been a pretty amazing journey.

[sgtrds10-4]

She was HOT!

[jjarden]

This is actually a VERY VERY SAD story. If you really look at it, it''s about the pursuit of fame and fortune over the REAL and Simple pleasures in life. She probably would have been happier in her life staying in Cincinatti and being a Housewife.

We ONLY get ONE life...it''s a tragedy if we do not live it the way were are supposed to...seeking OUR OWN Happiness, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Luckily Doris found this out, although later in life, and hopefully she is now happy.

[whiskyrocker]

SgtRDS10-4
-----------
That''s affirmative. She was HOT!

[patriot12436]

Always a lady and a true icon.

[keithle1]

Not without s e x appeal. More to her than meets the eye. Can any actress today do what she did?

[keithle1]

"Doris Day is, to this day, the number one female box office star of all time, she''s the only one who was number one for four years in a row,"

Bet few people, outside of film critics, know that.

[nssherlock1]

Pure CLASS!

[barbaraf4]

She is one remarkable woman. I have a lot of respect for her. A classy lady.

She made you think she could be your friend in those movies of hers. When she left public life, it was like losing a very close friend. She earned more that she was ever given.]

Keith

[lottobee]

Doris you were a true American treasure and you brought happiness to so many people with your films and your beautiful voice. Thank you. I wish you a VERY long life and excellent health to enable you to continue helping animals. You are doing God''s work.

[o2bewealthy]

I absolutely adore Doris Day the actress and singer, and my heart goes out to Doris Kappelhoff, the woman. It took me four tries (in the marriage department) before I got it right, Doris, and I''m just thankful that I didn''t give up. If I could, I would turn back time and grant you the same.

[whiskyrocker]

Que Sera,Sera Whatever will be ,will be

[l8c6]

She was blessed with an appeal. I was crazy about her when I was around 5 or 6 ...I think she had a sitcom called "Please Don''t Eat the Daisies". That''s what I remember. She had two boys and a dog that came running in and jumping on everyone sometimes.

[foxmulder33]

She was probably the best female comedic talent in Hollywood next to Lucille Ball. We all adored her. She is America''s lost treasure. I wish her all the best.

[no2zeebas]

I''m happy to hear she''s not dead like I thought...I like all of her movies...

[cmp271]

Hollywood is a thing of the past. Doris Day is an icon of wonderful movies. I remember all of them and her singing. It was wonderful. Her comedy films were just hilarious, no one could ever have done them better. That Touch of Mink, Pillow Talk, the hypochondriac Hudson were all so funny. It was sad about her son. I am sure it was so painful for her, we all feel for her.

Thank you Doris, for all the laughter and good singing you gave us.
Love always from your vast fans-who have gathered around the record player***
***Jinks in one of the cartoons!!!

[TennMom1]

"This is actually a VERY VERY SAD story. If you really look at it, it''''s about the pursuit of fame and fortune over the REAL and Simple pleasures in life. She probably would have been happier in her life staying in Cincinatti and being a Housewife."

I''m glad she didn''t stay in Cincinnati. I''ve managed to collect most of her movies and I get great joy from watching them. In my opinion, she was far more gifted an actress than some gave her credit for. While I thoroughly enjoy the many romantic comedies, I am just as enthralled with her dramatic efforts, especially in "Young At Heart", "Midnight Lace" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much."

I''m glad she has found some contentment and happiness now. I look forward to reading this book.

[ausus-2009]

Her singing voice almost seemed to have a smile in it.

In the early 1960s she was the top earning star, male or female. I remember being told this by my journalism teacher, who had been a Hollywood agent.

[whiskyrocker]

wiwi5
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She doesn''t like black guys. Not her style. If you would of read her biography you would not that.

[tamara588]

It''s time for the Acadamy to pony up for never giving Doris her due in Hollywood and acknowledging her vast talent. This woman ruled in the 50''s and 60''s and made a lot of people in the industry very wealthy.

Doris deserves an Honorary Academy Award BEFORE she dies!! She did so much for Hollywood, and SO MUCH for all her fans. Time to pay her back for the "Doris Day Backlash" that happened in the late 60''s - 70''s.

She is a woman who was never truly given the credit she deserved. A woman who did it all so very well - singing, drama and comedy ... we still love you Doris!

[slim1h2o]

singing, drama and comedy ... we still love you Doris!

Posted by Tamara588 at 07:27 AM : Jul 15, 2008

Yes we do Love her still. She was the mother that we all wished we had, not saying my mom was bad. But she couldn''t sing a lulliby like Doris Day could either.

Glad to hear that she is alive and well. Hopefully she will read these comments and know that we still love and respect her very much. Doubt that she will see these though.

Good Luck Doris, may you live happily ever after.

[grumpas]

Doris Day was one of greats of Hollywood! She was terrific in Midnight Lace as well as the comedy films she made in the 60''s. I have quite a few of her movies. They are still masterpieces as far as I am concerned.

[ariel133]

GOP Forever- That''s just total BS. I have a career and happy marriage- So, maybe I''m in the small percentage- but it isn''t impossible

[wadyaknow]

It is still a disgrace - no honorary Oscar. No Kennedy Center honors.

[jntlw-2009]

I have always enjoyed Doris Day movies and she was a joy. I hope she is very happy now. I too love animals and have never been married. It works for me.

[neonink]

I still love a Doris Day movie on a Saturday afternoon. It''s cheers me up.

She was hot. In a girl-next-door way.

[talkingham]

I never like Doris Day. Never trust anyone named Melcher or Bush.

[wakeup60]

So darling...So talented...Wonderful Actress...Beautiful voice...of her own and for "all" the animals...I have adored Doris Day from the first "day" I saw her films...The Magic of Rock Hudson and she was Electric/they were so perfect for one another on and off the screen with their work and friendship! My favorite films of theirs were ALL "3"!
And with Tony Randall/what could be better! The film with James Garner/the remake of Marilyn Monroe''s last film she was fired from/the best...can''t remember the title! She was so deserving of having that "Great Home,Man and Family to share/she has her beautiful home and son/close to her heart...but I do so relate to just enjoying the animals/they don''t hurt you like human beings do!! Doris...We love you...Always Will!!!You are one of the most priceless parts of my life and I know of millions of others...We cherish you in our hearts...Happy...Many...Many years ahead !!!

[phocusplease]

Comment #1 - ''talkingham'' says "I never like Doris Day. Never trust anyone named Melcher or Bush." I bet this dried up poster has one standard post that says "I never like -------------. Never trust anyone named --------- or Bush."

Doris/Clara...you defined ''woman'' for me as I grew up and watched your movies. Pajama Game was great too. Doris Day brought humor and beauty into our lives...and we love her. Thanks Doris.

[credibility2]

Doris Day was the darling of the screen and although unfulfilled in her personal life, she sadly chose to remain in the limelight of Hollywood and kept going through husbands in search of what probably never existed for her; insecure men continue to resent and detest successful women because they are threatened by them and often feel emasculated. Turning to animals as a substitute for fulfillment is tragic. Animals die, as do humans, and cause pain as well. Animals, however, are very poor substitutes for human love and companionship. She just chose the wrong men who apparently were only after her money and not for who or what she was. She''s better off without them.

[skbrownie]

I always loved her and my sister used to mock me and say that "Life isn''t a Doris Day movie!" Even though my sister was right about some things, I still like to go to that place where life was just good.... even for just a minute or 2.

[jcr103]

Why she left Hollywood? Because people were sick of her corny movies.

[sociald63]

doris day was HOT when she was younger

[whiskyrocker]

I heard Rock Hudson gave her up for Jim Nabors.

[radman5000]

Doris wasnt all that hot, Rock Hudson dumped her for Gomer Pyle USMC

[gmond]

She looks like she has gas.

[roscoezzz]

Mt favorite film of Doris Day is "Love Me or Leave Me" 1955, with the great James Cagney. I think it is her best work as a dramatic actress and a singer. I think she deserves a Kennedy Center Honor.

[whiskyrocker]

Doris Day: Why she left hollywood?
Because she was washed up.

[tmittelstaed]

Doris was out of that old Hollywood guard of a chaste public face and behind the scenes all the private vice you could want. It''s a different world today, celebrities have no private life. It''s no wonder she withdrew from Hollywood, she saw the handwriting on the wall and knew what was coming.
I think the important question is, do we get a better product from Hollywood today than we did a half century ago when most things were hidden? Certainly, we get a much more realistic product. But it does seem to me that the actors have, with few exceptions, become nothing more than generic names and faces, and the stories today have exchanged cornball formula for crappy formula.

[jmeyer1954]

Shame on you Charles for letting this "unauthorized" papparazzi segment regarding Doris Day slip through your editing. Not your style. She has spent your life quietly and unassuming since leaving Hollywood. Why don''t you focus on the greater good that she has done towards animal rights instead? Wouldn''t that be your time better spent?

[karensev]

Doris Day''s great career speaks for itself. She now has been voted the best actress of all time, so I think that speaks volumes about her talent.
I do agree with jmeyer1954, because this book by Mr. Kaufman is a disgrace to the lady''s legacy. There have been several "unauthorized" books regarding Ms. Day, all of which she has stated she wants no part of because they are demeaning uninformed versions of her life.
Mr. Kaufman has no clue of the identity of the lady he writes about. He attempts to psychoanalyze why she left Hollywood and why she likes to be called, "Clara." Ms. Day, unlike what the pundits write, is not in hiding, not disassociating herself from Doris Day (the star), and is not a recluse. She is however, very private and works hard every day for her animal foundation and taking care of her own four leggers. Do not be fooled by what you read or hear. Just know she is enjoying her life doing what she loves doing.

[sunday_morning_fan1234]

I have been a sunday morning fan for a very very long time. I am so very happy you did the story with doris day. I remember watching doris day and she made me smile. When she smiled, I smiled. As a black child of the sixties,it is what I remember the most. She was so very endearing and funny and nice. Her movies with and tv show put joy in my heart and her singing told me what singing in perfect pitch was about. her voice was so soothing and calm, she reminded me of a teacher. That Que Sera song (also done by Sly and the family stone back then) was my favorite song. Doris Day has always made me feel good. She was the whole package and the tv show was like icing on the cake. We could see her every week and that gigantic dog I wanted to play with so much. thanks for the memory. Sunday morning you always made me smile too.

[Texas_5]

I have always loved Doris Day. I wish her well and good health. I have always wanted a wife like her. Doris-Clara is a classy woman.