Doris Day Plugs 'On Moonlight Bay'

Not long ago, I was looking around for something to transfer in honor of Doris Day's 90th birthday. (I hope it won't be considered caddish for me to mention that some people think she is actually 92.)

Promo 78

It's not so easy to find unusual Day material - everything she ever recorded has been reissued. But finally I remembered a promotional disc for her 1951 album of songs from the film On Moonlight Bay, so here it is, along with the album itself.

On the record, Doris introduces four titles from the LP with opening and closing remarks. The idea is that radio stations would make a 15-minute program out of the songs and her comments. Columbia would have sent the record to deejays along with an opening script (which I don't have).

Day and MacRae make music; Smith makes waves

Day shares the LP with singer-actor Jack Smith. He was in the film as well, but not as the romantic lead. Gordon MacRae had that role, but he was contracted to Capitol records. Smith, later a television game-show host, played a rival suitor favored by Day's father. Smith was a pleasant singer who does better here than he did with Doris in the movie.

Arranger of the LP is the estimable Paul Weston, who also appears on the promotional disc. The sound is excellent.

This is the first time I have presented Day here. It's a pleasure - she is one of my favorite singers and actors.

1951 promotional tie-in