Considering Doris Day

November 27, 2006
Following his witty overview of Streisand's career in The Importance of Being Barbra
(2005)
, Santopietro turns to Doris Day and delivers a sharp-eyed, carefully researched career evaluation that also convincingly rebukes many modern misconceptions about her pristine screen persona and status as a singer. With the exception of That Touch of Mink
("a film nearly devoid of wit or humor"), most of Day's onscreen characters were far from eternal virgins; they were proto-feminist icons ranging from successful career women with healthy libidos to smart can-do housewives. Santopietro's sassy assessment of Day's 39 films illuminate her best (Love Me or Leave Me
, Pajama Game
, Thrill of It All
), analyzes her worst (Tunnel of Love
, Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?
) and offers some surprises (he defends the KKK melodrama Storm Warning
, but is more reserved about Pillow Talk
). Delving into her prodigious recording career (from 1948 to 1967, she released more than 600 songs), Santopietro appraises her songs almost track-by-track with such full-blooded enthusiasm that most readers will be racing to iTunes to download her catalogue. While not intended as a full biography, there is enough biographical detail as it concerns her career choices to create a vibrant portrait of the artist and the woman. B&w photos.

February 1, 2007
Santopietro follows his recent biography of Barbra Streisand, "The Importance of Being Barbra", with this analysis of the work of Doris Day, a performer about whom little has been published. Writing with the same cheek that he used in the Streisand book (though more toned down), he begins by discussing why we should care about Day, the "biggest female box office attraction in Hollywood history," who triumphed in movies, radio, the recording industry, and television. Her persona "embodied the all encompassing post-World War II American will to happiness," he writes. He then analyzes her work by category: films (e.g., "Pillow Talk; The Thrill of It All"), recordings (e.g., "Sentimental Journey"; "Qué Será, Será"), television (e.g., "The Doris Day Show"), and her work with animals. Santopietro proves himself a serious and insightful critic. One caveat: fans of the celebrity biography genre may be disappointed by the lack of material on Day's personal life. Still, highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2007
Radio, recording, and TV star Doris Day is the all-time Hollywood box-office champion, female division, yet she gets little respect for her accomplishments. Santopietro, however, fully acknowledges her extraordinary singing voice, innate acting ability, and self-reliant persona. She was from the beginning a reluctant star, whose early career resembles a Hollywood screenplay. Her mother pushed her into show business, and after she won a dance contest, her parents agreed to move to Hollywood. A car accident ended her dancing, but singing along with her favorite radio vocalists while she recovered birthed a new career. Santopietro follows Day's tumultuous personal life, especially her abusive early marriages, and discusses her unprecedented career at length. More than the ultimate girl next door, Day is "the perfect embodiment of post-World War II America," he contends. If baby boomers later found that image "plastic," the times (the sixties) were to blame, and her later activism for animal rights redeemed her in the eyes of many youthful scorners. Santopietro reveals a complex human being behind the pitch-perfect persona.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)