Beneath The Veil
"I'm afraid you aren't going to be able to see your grandmother.” the man said. That was the last time Melcher tried to see her, the exquisite Doris Day.
“Any and all communication was cut off from that point on and I was left bewildered.” Melcher continued. What happened?
A Bright Star
Most of us know her from starring in the timeless films ‘Calamity Jane’ and ‘Pillow Talk’, or from her many classic hits such as ‘Secret Love’, ‘Sentimental Journey’ or ‘My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time’ - to name a few!
Doris Day was one of the biggest stars in the 1950’s and 1960’s era. But possibly better known for one more reason.
A Squeaky Clean Image
Doris Day stood out from all the other movie stars at her time due to one thing. Her image of effortless charm and wholesome femininity that placed her to the pedestal of the ideal woman of the 50’s and 60’s.
She portrayed a certain innocence with elegance, checkiness while being both career-driven and domestic. Her image was uncomplicated and majestic in its womanhood. However, there was much more to Doris Day.
An Uneasy Past
Born in 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Doris Day had her fair share of hardship in her younger years. She had two older brothers, one passed away before her birth. Her parents then later separated due to her father's alleged infidelity.
In 1937 Doris Day was involved in a terrible car accident that left injuries to her right leg. Injuries which would completely change the course of her life as she knew it.
Accident Aftermath
At the time of her accident, Doris Day had decided on a career as a professional dancer, but all prospects of pursuing her dream shattered that day due to her injuries.
While she was in recovery, she started to sing along to the radio and realized a new talent that transformed into a new dream. During her early radio performances, she caught the industry's attention and the pressure followed.
A Women With A Voice
Despite Doris Day’s pristine image of softness and gentleness, she was quite the opposite. Perhaps the hardwork and grit it took to get to where she was, was proof of that.
Doris Day worked long hours and often had financial struggles and heated discussions over unfair pay. She often spoke up, challenging the oppressive norms at the time. Especially, when her ‘pure’ image worked against her.
Finding Love
“My public image is unshakably that of America’s wholesome virgin, the girl next door, carefree and brimming with happiness,” she told her biographer A.E. Hotchner in Doris Day: Her Own Story. “An image, I can assure you, more make-believe than any film part I ever played.”
Throughout her lifetime, Doris Day’s personal life was far from idealistic, and her romantic relationships were no different.
A Marriage From Hell
Doris Day’s first marriage was in 1941 to musician Al Jordan. He was a violent schizophrenic who beat her after he learnt about their pregnancy. Doris Day refused to get an abortion so he attempted to forcefully cause a miscarriage.
Their marriage lasted 2 long years. Later, Al Jordan took his own life. Doris Day later remarried.
Under Tight Control
Her second marriage lasted a little longer but also ended unsuccessfully. Her third marriage to film producer Martin Melcher, lasted until his death. However, it was also a turbulent marriage as he eventually took control over all her finances.
At the time of his death in 1968, he had left her with a $500,000 debt and contracted her to a five-year TV series without telling her. She then fought for creative rights before marrying again.
The Women Behind The Headlines
Her fourth marriage was to Barry Comden, who charmed her with a bag of meat and bones for her dogs. They separated 6 years later.
After her fourth marriage, Doris Day found light at the end of the tunnel, focusing all her efforts on her animal welfare activism. It’s true that Doris Day didn’t have it easy but all of this begs the question; What was she really like?
Family Estrangement
Doris Day’s grandson, Ryan Melcher claims he had not seen his grandmother for the last 14 years of her life. When he went public with this, Doris Day was reportedly very upset as she was a private yet caring person.
Melcher explained that due to being thrown in the middle of his parents’ divorce, he was unable to visit his grandmother. However, there are other reports.
Financial Difficulty
An ex-housekeeper of Doris Day recalls how she would begrudge her staff of even the slightest pay rise. He remembered how she could lose her temper over money.
As he reflects, he notes that this tension over money came from her past difficulties, particularly when she was a struggling dancer. He remembers her always saving money, but for a cause.
A Devoted Dog Lover
She would always save whatever she could and put it towards her animal foundation and her own animals. At one point, it overshadowed her life as she could never turn away a stray dog.
Her devotion led to a dog-crazy household, where she would sleep with seven or eight dogs in her bed. In her old age, she worried about one of them accidentally biting her as she was opposed to medical treatment as a christian scientist.
Ageing Like Wine
Although Doris Day didn’t completely give up her glamorous lifestyle, she was humble and much happier wearing sweaters and jeans while tending to her plants and animals. She had never felt completely herself in Hollywood.
Her ex-housekeeper used to joke with her about her graceful ageing to which she’d laugh and tell him to “stop being silly”.
A Timeless Icon
Doris Day died at 97 on May 13, 2019. The Doris Day Animal Foundation announced her death, informing the public that there would be no funeral services, grave marker, or other public memorials.
Doris Day’s iconic style and bewitching persona is still as enchanting as it ever was. Her timeless character will remain iconic for all the days to come.