The Magic of Doris Day... Too Marvelous for Words
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    • Doris Day mourned by celebrities following her death: 'She was the world’s sweetheart'
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    • Hollywood Remembers Doris Day: Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Goldie Hawn Sing Icon’s PraisesPage
    • Paul McCartney Remembers Doris Day: ‘She Was a True Star’
    • Doris Day Appreciation: Why Did Oscar Elude A Shining Star Of So Many Talents?Link Page
    • Paul Batura: Doris Day’s life was more than ‘Que Sera, Sera’ -- Because our ultimate future is ours to see
    • A Hip Sex Goddess Disguised as the Girl Next Doore
    • In Memoriam
  • Happy Birthday Doris!
    • 2020 Doris Tribute
    • Doris Day's 97th Birthday Celebration
    • Doris Day's 96th Birthday
    • Doris Day 95th Birthday in Carmel
    • Doris Day 92nd Birthday in Carmel
    • Doris Day 91st Birthday in Carmel
    • 90th Birthday Celebration
  • Tributes to an American Icon
    • A Tribute
    • Beneath wholesome image, Doris Day was an actor of depth
    • Doris Day Changed Us Forever
    • Why Doris Day reigns as one of the great jazz singers
    • Lucky Me
    • 60th Anniversary of “It Happened to Jane”
    • A Letter to an American Icon
    • What Singers Can Learn from Doris Day
    • Meeting My Idol
    • Doris Paved the Way for Women through Her Roles
    • Uptown Pluck
    • Reel Revival Doris Day
    • Not the Girl Next Door: Doris Day Reconsidered
    • Blonde and Blameless: Why I Love Doris Day Movies
    • A Tribute to Alma Sophia Welz Kappelhoff Day
    • Celebrity Memories
    • No More Que Será Será: Give Day Her Due
    • Doris Day Photo Gallery
  • Doris and Pets (It's Her Passion)
  • Magic Store
  • Music - Early Years
    • The Peak Years for Doris Music and Hits
    • 1957 and Beyond
    • The Studio Albums
    • Top 100 Hit Single Records
    • Doris Day Jukebox
    • Some Rare Recordings >
      • Rare Recordings, Part Two
    • Doris and Les "Those Were the Good Old Days"
    • Sheet Music Covers
  • Movies
    • Doris Day Co-Stars
    • Romance on the High Seas
    • My Dream Is Yours
    • It's a Great Feeling
    • Young Man with a Horn
    • Tea for Two
    • The West Point Story
    • Storm Warning
    • Lullaby of Broadway
    • On Moonlight Bay
    • I'll See You in My Dreams
    • Starlift
    • The Winning Team
    • April in Paris
    • By the Light of the Silvery Moon
    • Calamity Jane
    • Lucky Me
    • Young at Heart
    • Love Me or Leave Me
    • The Man Who Knew Too Much
    • Julie
    • The Pajama Game
    • Teacher's Pet
    • The Tunnel of Love
    • It Happened to Jane
    • Pillow Talk
    • Please Don't Eat the Daisies
    • Midnight Lace
    • Lover Come Back
    • That Touch of Mink
    • Billy Rose's Jumbo
    • The Thrill of It All
    • Move Over Darling
    • Send Me No Flowers
    • Do Not Disturb
    • The Glass Bottom Boat
    • The Ballad of Josie
    • Caprice
    • Where Were You When the Lights Went Out
    • With Six You Get Eggroll
    • Top 20 Girls Next Door in Movies
    • Press Books
    • Movie Memorabilia
  • Radio
  • Television
    • Doris Day Show Season 1
    • Doris Day Show Season 2
    • Doris Day Show Season 3
    • Doris Day Show Season 4
    • Doris Day Show Season 5
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    • Doris Day's Best Friends
  • Interviews, Appearances on TV and Radio
    • 40's & 50's
    • 60's
    • 70's
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    • Radio Calls on Doris' Birthday
  • Latest News
    • 4-Legger News
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    • Doris Day rejected Lifetime Achievement Award about six times
  • Doris Day Fashion
    • Doris Day in Pillow Talk: Couture Allure
  • Doris in Carmel
    • DayDreamers
  • Doris through the Years
    • Cover Girl (Magazine Covers)
  • Quotes by and about Doris
  • Doris Talks to Her Fans (Fan Club Tapes)
    • Fans Talk To Doris
  • Who Knows What Might Have Been
    • Who Knows What Might Have Been, PART 2
  • Creative Video Collection
  • Doris Day Collector
  • And a few rounds of applause...
  • Contact Us
Picture
"When Doris learned she was assigned to appear in 1954's Lucky Me, she was dismayed with the script. 'There were times I didn't like scripts I had to do. But a deal was a deal,' she later said. 'I felt it was wrong to go on suspension. My working in a film and being good in a film didn't depend on Jack Warner. [It was] someone much higher. And I just put my trust where it was supposed to be and I just said, 'I know that nothing is going to hurt me. I will give 100 percent.'"
- Doris Day: Sentimental Journey By Garry McGee

"It's up to Day to carry this musical to success, and she responds nobly..." - Photoplay


"Doris Day handles tunes and performance in usual vivacious manner that will score with her fans." - Film Bulletin


Picture
Directed by  

Produced by

Written by




Starring











Music by






Cinematography

Editing

Distributed by   

Release date(s)   

Running time

Country

Language

Box-Office Gross (USA)
Jack Donahue

Henry Blanke

James O’Hanlon
Frank Davis
Irving Elinson
Robert  O’Brien

Doris Day
Robert Cummings
Phil Silvers
Eddie Foy Jr.
Nancy Walker
Martha Hyer
Bill Goodwin
Marcel Dalio
Hayden Rorke
James Burke


Ray Heindorf
Howard Jackson 
Frank Comstock
Norman Luboff
Walter Ruick


Wilfred M. Cline 

Owen Marks 

Warner Brothers

April 9, 1954

100 Minutes

USA

English

$4,100,000







Not one of Doris’ most popular films, the chemistry between her and costar Robert Cummings was not discernible. The hit tune was “I Speak to the Stars”. No soundtrack album was released.

In Miami, superstitious, but very lucky showgirl Candy Williams (Doris) narrowly misses several catastrophes as she makes her way to the theater. There, after a performance of the show Parisian Pretties for an audience of thirteen, she and the other members of her troupe, manager Hap Snyder (Phil Silvers), comedian Duke McGee (Eddie Foy Jr.) and dancer Flo Neely (Nancy Walker), are thrown out.

Finding his troupe broke, stranded and hungry, the resourceful Hap tricks the show's only fan, policeman Barney Mahoney, into agreeing to make a phony arrest, after the troupe has had a chance to eat a big meal at the expensive restaurant, Anton's. However, Mahoney goes off duty while they are dining, and when a different policeman responds to Hap's pre-arranged signal, the troupe must work off the meal in the kitchen to avoid a real arrest.

While cleaning the hall floors of the adjoining hotel, Flo overhears Dick Carson (Robert Cummings), a successful Tin Pan Alley composer, talking to his agent, Tommy Arthur,  about a musical show he is writing and wants produced. Dick is hoping that oil magnate Otis Thayer, the father of Lorraine, a possessive woman he has been seeing, will back the show after Dick presents some of his songs at Thayer's upcoming birthday party. Lorraine shows up, and although Dick tries to make it clear to her that he wants her father's backing to be a purely business deal and that his personal interest in her is limited, Lorraine persists in trying to buy his love.

Later, while trying to avoid black cats and sidewalk cracks, Candy causes Dick to crash his car. At the garage, the mechanic offers the loan of his car, an old clunker bearing the garage's business logo. After driving away, Dick narrowly escapes a second accident caused by Candy, but feels an instant attraction for her. He invites her on a date, and lets her believe that he is a mechanic, as the sign on the car indicates.

After seeing Candy and Dick leave for their date that night, Hap follows them to a beach restaurant and introduces himself, hoping to get work for the troupe in Dick's new musical. Candy gets angry and leaves when she realizes that Dick has deceived her about his identity, but Dick agrees with Hap to secretly watch the troupe practice in Anton's dining room after hours. At the rehearsal, Dick and Candy make up, and Dick offers her and her companions roles in his show.

However, later, after seeing Candy and Dick rehearsing, Lorraine jealously insists that Candy cannot be in the show if Dick wants Thayer's backing. Candy, presuming that Dick gave Lorraine reason to feel possessive of him, quarrels with Dick and distrusts his declaration of love for her. When Dick loses interest in his show and leaves for New York, Candy realizes he does love her and decides to help him.

Disguised as genteel English persons, Candy, wearing a black wig, and Duke crash Thayer's birthday party, and are soon joined by Flo and Hap, who impersonate wealthy Texans. Together they lure Lorraine out into the pool. While Lorraine is out of the way drying off, Candy takes off her wig and sings Dick's songs for the guests. Having enjoyed Candy's performance, Thayer is ready to sign a check, but Lorraine interrupts, claiming misrepresentation.

Meanwhile, Dick has returned to Miami to face Thayer and tactfully tells him that he is not interested in romancing Lorraine for the money. However, Thayer is aware that Lorraine manipulates men with her wealth and is still interested in backing the show. To encourage Thayer to act immediately, Hap starts a bidding competition and almost causes Thayer to back out, but Candy announces that they will only accept Thayer's money.

For the second time, Thayer prepares to sign a check, but the deal is again in jeopardy when Candy, realizing the date is Friday the thirteenth, almost stops him. However, to the relief of her friends, Candy renounces her superstitions, finally realizing how lucky she is. Somewhat convoluted, but it's still a fun picture.



Movie Quotes

Candy Williams: [sings] It isn't that I'm superstitious, superstitious, I am not.  Nevertheless I take no chances walking under ladders.


Hap Schneider: [after Candy breaks a mirror] Hey, what's the matter with you? That's seven years bad luck.

Candy Williams: Let's make it fourteen.

[smashes another mirror]

Hap Schneider: Wanna try for twenty-one?

[Candy smashes a third mirror]



Flo: Boy, ain't this party a ball?

Hap Schneider: What's with the ain'ts? Ain'ts. There are a lot of ritzy people here. Watch your language.

Flo: What are you talking about? I speak as well as anybody. In fact, weller.



Otis Thayer: Ooh, Friday the Thirteenth. Anyone around here superstitious?

Candy Williams: Well, I, I... I used to be. But I'm not anymore. Not Lucky Me.



Dick Carson: Princeton '48

Candy Williams: Who'd you play Vassar!




Songs

"I Wanna Sing Like an Angel" - Performed by Doris Day

"I Speak to the Stars" - Performed by Doris Day

"Lucky Me" - Performed by Robert Cummings (dubbed by Hal Derwin)

"Love You Dearly" - Performed by Doris Day and Robert Cummings (dubbed by Hal Derwin)

"High Hopes" - Performed by Doris Day, Nancy Walker, Phil Silvers and Eddie Foy Jr.

"The Superstition Song" - Performed by Doris Day

"Men" - Performed by Doris Day, Phil Silvers, Nancy Walker and Eddie Foy Jr.


"Blue Bells of Broadway" - Performed by Doris Day, Phil Silvers, Nancy Walker and Eddie Foy Jr.



Trivia

“I Speak to the Stars” became a top hit for Doris in 1954, the same year as “Secret Love” and “If I Give My Heart To You”. The only other side released (on the flip side of the single) was “Blue Bells of Broadway” which only charted for two weeks.

From IMDB:

"This is the first musical to be filmed in CinemaScope."

"Angie Dickinson's film debut. "



Movie Promotions from around the World

Movie Images

 

Movie/Song Clips

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  • Home
  • Magic Blog
  • Remembering Doris
    • Sentimental Journey Personal Tributes to the Magic of Doris Day
    • Doris Day was more complicated, and more forward-thinking, than she ever got credit for
    • Lifelong friend, business partner remembers Hollywood legend Doris Day
    • Doris Day, America's box-office sweetheart of the '50s and '60s, is dead at 97
    • Legendary actress and singer Doris Day has died
    • How Doris Day’s Movie Roles Challenged Stereotypes
    • Doris Day 'Died Peacefully' Surrounded by Her 'Loved Ones,' Says Manager
    • Secret love’s no secret anymore
    • The Matchless Presence of Doris Day
    • Doris Day's death mourned in Carmel, where icon lived
    • Remembering Doris Day
    • Dream a little dream of Doris Day
    • Inside Doris Day's Final Birthday Party at Her Home Near Carmel-by-the-Sea: 'It Was Idyllic'
    • Hollywood Pays Tribute to Doris Day
    • Doris Day, Cincinnati's girl next door, dead at 97
    • RIP Doris Day
    • R.I.P. Doris Day Decades
    • TCM Remembers Doris Day
    • Doris Day mourned by celebrities following her death: 'She was the world’s sweetheart'
    • Pine Cone Tribute
    • Doris Day rejected Lifetime Achievement Award about six times
    • Hollywood Remembers Doris Day: Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Goldie Hawn Sing Icon’s PraisesPage
    • Paul McCartney Remembers Doris Day: ‘She Was a True Star’
    • Doris Day Appreciation: Why Did Oscar Elude A Shining Star Of So Many Talents?Link Page
    • Paul Batura: Doris Day’s life was more than ‘Que Sera, Sera’ -- Because our ultimate future is ours to see
    • A Hip Sex Goddess Disguised as the Girl Next Doore
    • In Memoriam
  • Happy Birthday Doris!
    • 2020 Doris Tribute
    • Doris Day's 97th Birthday Celebration
    • Doris Day's 96th Birthday
    • Doris Day 95th Birthday in Carmel
    • Doris Day 92nd Birthday in Carmel
    • Doris Day 91st Birthday in Carmel
    • 90th Birthday Celebration
  • Tributes to an American Icon
    • A Tribute
    • Beneath wholesome image, Doris Day was an actor of depth
    • Doris Day Changed Us Forever
    • Why Doris Day reigns as one of the great jazz singers
    • Lucky Me
    • 60th Anniversary of “It Happened to Jane”
    • A Letter to an American Icon
    • What Singers Can Learn from Doris Day
    • Meeting My Idol
    • Doris Paved the Way for Women through Her Roles
    • Uptown Pluck
    • Reel Revival Doris Day
    • Not the Girl Next Door: Doris Day Reconsidered
    • Blonde and Blameless: Why I Love Doris Day Movies
    • A Tribute to Alma Sophia Welz Kappelhoff Day
    • Celebrity Memories
    • No More Que Será Será: Give Day Her Due
    • Doris Day Photo Gallery
  • Doris and Pets (It's Her Passion)
  • Magic Store
  • Music - Early Years
    • The Peak Years for Doris Music and Hits
    • 1957 and Beyond
    • The Studio Albums
    • Top 100 Hit Single Records
    • Doris Day Jukebox
    • Some Rare Recordings >
      • Rare Recordings, Part Two
    • Doris and Les "Those Were the Good Old Days"
    • Sheet Music Covers
  • Movies
    • Doris Day Co-Stars
    • Romance on the High Seas
    • My Dream Is Yours
    • It's a Great Feeling
    • Young Man with a Horn
    • Tea for Two
    • The West Point Story
    • Storm Warning
    • Lullaby of Broadway
    • On Moonlight Bay
    • I'll See You in My Dreams
    • Starlift
    • The Winning Team
    • April in Paris
    • By the Light of the Silvery Moon
    • Calamity Jane
    • Lucky Me
    • Young at Heart
    • Love Me or Leave Me
    • The Man Who Knew Too Much
    • Julie
    • The Pajama Game
    • Teacher's Pet
    • The Tunnel of Love
    • It Happened to Jane
    • Pillow Talk
    • Please Don't Eat the Daisies
    • Midnight Lace
    • Lover Come Back
    • That Touch of Mink
    • Billy Rose's Jumbo
    • The Thrill of It All
    • Move Over Darling
    • Send Me No Flowers
    • Do Not Disturb
    • The Glass Bottom Boat
    • The Ballad of Josie
    • Caprice
    • Where Were You When the Lights Went Out
    • With Six You Get Eggroll
    • Top 20 Girls Next Door in Movies
    • Press Books
    • Movie Memorabilia
  • Radio
  • Television
    • Doris Day Show Season 1
    • Doris Day Show Season 2
    • Doris Day Show Season 3
    • Doris Day Show Season 4
    • Doris Day Show Season 5
    • Doris Day Show Photo Gallery
    • Doris Day Specials
    • Doris Day's Best Friends
  • Interviews, Appearances on TV and Radio
    • 40's & 50's
    • 60's
    • 70's
    • 80's
    • 90's
    • 2000's & 10's
    • Radio Calls on Doris' Birthday
  • Latest News
    • 4-Legger News
  • Awards
    • Doris Day rejected Lifetime Achievement Award about six times
  • Doris Day Fashion
    • Doris Day in Pillow Talk: Couture Allure
  • Doris in Carmel
    • DayDreamers
  • Doris through the Years
    • Cover Girl (Magazine Covers)
  • Quotes by and about Doris
  • Doris Talks to Her Fans (Fan Club Tapes)
    • Fans Talk To Doris
  • Who Knows What Might Have Been
    • Who Knows What Might Have Been, PART 2
  • Creative Video Collection
  • Doris Day Collector
  • And a few rounds of applause...
  • Contact Us