Posted on 06/24/2004 6:32:23 AM PDT by veronica
Doris Day chatted with President George W. Bush about their mutual love of dogs when he phoned to congratulate the iconic performer and animal welfare advocate on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The Prez told Doris that he's an animal person, and talked about his Scottish terrier Barney and about the critters on his ranch.
And then Day advised the president that he'd get more votes if he'd quit hunting.
She tells us that her sentiments about Bush's hunting won't stop her from voting for him. "I'm pulling for him every step of the way," she makes clear.
Day, who starred with Ronald Reagan in two films, remained friends with the Gipper through his presidency. Like him, she switched from Democrat to staunch Republican - part of a Hollywood social set she recalls including Jimmy and Gloria Stewart, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and Jack and Mary Benny.
She remembers once quizzing Reagan as to what he'd done with his giant sheep dog, Lucky, who had disappeared from the White House. Reagan sent her a photo of Lucky at the wheel of an old red Jeep full of dogs on his California ranch with the message, "Look who's in the driver's seat." She says Reagan's recent death was hard to take.
Day, who turned 80 in April and who does not travel by air, opted to stay home in Carmel when the Medal of Freedom presentations were made Wednesday. Still, she's deeply affected. She broke into tears when talking with us about the honor. "To come from Cincinnati, Ohio, for God's sake, then to go to Hollywood, and to get this kind of a tribute from my country ... I love this country so much ..."
Asked whether she'd ever act again, the top box-office movie actress of her time says, "You never know. It's up to God. If I were meant to, I'd be led to it. I pray about everything that comes to me. That way I don't have any hassles in my mind."
I thought it was on Saturday night. My mom was a big Doris Day fan and usually watched the show. I was a young'n to pre-teen while it was on the air.
Sorry, that was Dinah Shore. And she started it in the early '50s before they had changed over to the more modern '50s look from the old '40s look. ;-)
"The one with James Garner was "Move Over Darling" --- this was the movie that Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin were working on when Marilyn died -- then recast with Garner and Day"
That wasn't bad but the original, "My Favorite Wife" w/Cary Grant was GREAT!
There is no one like her; she is a 'classic' for sure.
You're right. I'm embarrassed because I own the movie and have watched it a gazillion times. Tony Randall was a riot in Send Me No Flowers too.
ooh Cary Grant, another example of a fine specimen. I absolutely love an affair to remember.
She was in "Please Dont Eat The Daisy's" which also starred David Niven.
This and "That Touch of Mink" with Cary Grant are my two fav Doris Day movies.
Rock Hudson was gay. I believe Doris knew this.
Yes, THANK GOD I dodged *that* bullet! While I would've been happy in so many decades past, I was just fine, thank you, coming of age in the '80s! It was SO much more fun and happy than the '90s - and had an edge over the '70s, too. MAN did I get lucky, really!
Just wanted to let those who might be interested know, TCM is running Ronald Reagan movies today including King's Row and my personal favorite "Stallion Road" <-- to me his best movie
Don't be embarrassed!! Simple mistake :-)
I didn't know about the Reagan connection. However, it does not surprise me that Reagan impacted those actors you listed. I suspect the same could be said for perhaps hundreds in Hollywood during the 40's & 50's.
BTW - My uncle was a permanent musician on the Doris Day Show. He also worked for another "lady", when a muscian working for Liberache. LOL
I agree, "My Favorite Wife" was the best and Irene Dunne is another of my fav's
I saw King's Row for the first time 2 weeks ago when TCM had a memorial showing of Reagan's movies. He was so good in it! He was the only one who did not overact. I cannot understand why he was considered a B actor. Everything I saw with him in that day was great!!
I happened to be watching an account of "The Brady Bunch" and Florence Henderson commented on the fact that as soon as she kissed her co-star (can't remember his name) she knew he was gay.
I remember being sceptical that she could tell from a kiss while acting, but later they were interviewing Sherwood Schwartz, and he mentioned that after the first scene with a kiss, that Florence Henderson had come to him and said, "This guy's not Straight". I think she had a reputation as being pretty randy so she probably would have known.
Well considering she had something going with the guy who played her oldest son at one time.. yep that would make her randy
The funniest scene is toward the end when he jumps in the car to go find Doris, thinking Rock is in the car with him. He's yakking away at Rock, then Rock suddenly disgustedly passes him in another car.
Clint Walker was also pretty good as the guy Rock was going to marry Doris off to.
He only became a "B" actor when the Democrats were trying to discredit his popularity. In the final analysis it wasn't acting that made Reagan great -- it was just a stepping stone towards greatness
My wife and I stayed in Carmel recently. We were surprised to see dogs running free down at the beach there, cavorting in the waves, etc. From what we learned, freedom for dogs on the Carmel beach is due to Doris Day.
Amen. He absolutely was great.
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