There are certain actresses who play innocent, but can become wicked with a simple gesture. They can transform from that wholesome mother in the kitchen to the kinky wife in the bedroom. Think of Helen Mirren going from the Queen of England to the wife of the Emperor Caligula. Or Jane Seymour turn from sweet to naughty in Wedding Crashers. TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection gives us an actress that was born for light comedies and peppy musicals. Doris Days so cheery and bright that she lit the set. At no time in these five films does she reveal a dark or wild side. Shes so squeaky clean that her movies will polish your TV tube.
Its a Great Feeling (1949 – 85 minutes) is a showbiz flick. Doris works in the studio canteen. She wants to be a star and will got to an extreme for her shot. She practically holds a studio executive hostage to get an audition. Will the suit give her the keys to the kingdom or merely have her locked up. The have tons of actors pop up to make us think this is a real studio with stars. Keep an eye out for Joan Crawfords cameo. She was an actress who had a dark side. Doris keeps this film light and whimsical instead of an early version of King of Comedy. Tea For Two (1950 – 98 minutes) reworks No, No Nanette. This means Dennis Leary will never watch this film. The film is the opposite of Yes Man. Doris makes a bet that for two days she can say no to everything. If she succeeds, her Uncle will invest in a Broadway musical by her boyfriend (Gordon MacRae). The “Tea For Two” song gets played a lot.
Starlife (1951 – 103 minutes) attempts to give patriotic music for those fighting in the Korean War. Doris sings a few songs for the troops including “‘S Wonderful,” “You Oughta Be in Pictures” and “Lullaby of Broadway.” Its not quite as inspirational as the titles found on Warner Bros. and the Homefront Collection. April in Paris (1952 – 94 minutes) gives the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz a chance to get the girl. In a piece of mistaken identity, The State Department wants Doris to represent Americ at an arts exposition in Paris. They think shes Ethel Barrymore. In reality Doris is Ethel “Dynamite” Jackson, a chorus girl. Ray Bolger (the Scarecrow) is the guy who screws it all up. Instead of merely fixing the situation, he finds himself falling for the wrong Ethel. Its a second level musical. The fun is getting to see Bolger sing and dance without straw poking out of his suit.
The Tunnel of Love (1958 – 98 minutes) shows that the brightness of Doris can make any co-star glow. In this case shes married to Richard Widmark. Hes an amazing tough guy on the screen from his work in Kiss of Death and Pick Up on South Street. The mans scow is menacing. His smile as Doris loving husband is more disturbing than when he beats a man to death. Things arent perfect for Doris and him. Turns out after years of trying, they cant have a kid. So they choose to adopt. Things get weird when Widmark gets plastered and wakes up in a hotel room with the adoption agency representative. He gets a sneaking fear that the baby theyre adopting is really his. Is it? Nowadays the finale of The Tunnel of Love would take place on the set of Maury. Whats surprising is that this movie was directed by Gene Kelly (Singin In The Rain). Theres dancing, but its just the simple party dancing.
TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection contains five light films from an actress who kept things pure. She infectious with her sweetness and song. Its hard not to smile as she glows angelic.
The video for The Tunnel of Love is 2.35:1 anamorphic. The other four films are 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers almost shine up to Doriss level. The audio is Dolby Digital mono. The mix is great for her musical numbers. Tea For Two has a French dub track. The movies are subtitled in English and French.
Spills and Chills (10:21) is a Sports News Review. Theres some fun airplane stunts. Also a man uses a rocket pack while on skates. This was the early version of Jackass.
Breakdowns of 1949 (10:21) has plenty of flubs from David Niven. This is the blooper reel theyd show at a big party with the Warner stars.
Bear Feat (6:52) is a Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Chuck Jones. The family of bears decide to learn circus stunts to get a gig with the Mingling Brothers.
Its a Great Feeling Trailer (2:07) invites to the coming out party of a new star. Theres plenty of stars in the clips including Ronald Reagan.
So You Want to Hold Your Husband (10:51) is a Joe McDoakes comedy short. Georges wife fears her husband is getting bored with her after ten years. Leading actor George OHanlon is best known as the voice of George Jetson.

Tee for Two (7:02) is a Tom and Jerry cartoon. Its cat and mouse mayhem on a golf course.
No, No Nanette (29:48) is from The Railroad Hour. The audio only version has Gordon MacRae and Doris Day doing highlights from their Broadway hit.
No, No Nanette Overture (6:52) is the music from the 1930 film. This is audio only.
Tea for Two Trailer (2:34) gives us musical teaser with a version of the song that plugs the elements of the film. Everybody will take their sugar to this film.
Desert Killer (9:33) is a Sports Parade short that was Oscar nominated. Its about modern American Indians dealing with mountain lions attacking their sheep. Cowboys use lassos to get the lion out of a tree. This footage was not approved by the Humane Society.
Sleepy Time Possum (6:54) is a Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. A possum wants to sleep despite his father doing his worse to make the kid active.
So You Want to be a Bachelor (9:26) is a Joe McDoakes short. An afternoon of cleaning up his basement for the wife leads to Joe daydreaming about his single days. He remembers back when his not-yet-wife would kneel down and put slippers on his feet. Hes railroaded into the wedding. This is a comedy short classic.
Starlift Trailer (2:40) lets us know this film is like Hollywood Canteen.
Terrier Stricken (6:50) is a Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Chuck Jones. Claude the cat and Frisky the dog drive each other nuts.
So You Want to Wear the Pants (10:45) is a Joe McDoakes comedy. Joe and his wife argue about taking care of the house.
April in Paris Trailer (2:59) pushes the concept of Ray Bolger as a ladys man.
Tot Watchers (6:37) is a Tom and Jerry cartoon in Cinemascope. The cat and mouse end up with a baby while the sitter keeps chatting on the phone.
The Tunnel of Love Trailer (2:15) creeps me out with Richard Widmark smiling with Doris Day as they drive down the road. There has to be a body in the trunk.
TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection is another batch of Americas squeaky clean actress. The films are perfect for those with delicate sensibilities. Whats most exciting about the boxset is the numerous Joe McDoakes shorts. He had a dark side on the screen as he gave his wife fits.
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Warner Home Video presents TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection. Starring: Doris Day, Richard Widmark, Gig Young and Gordon McRae. Boxset Contents: 5 movies on 5 DVDs. Released on DVD: April 7, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
