George Putnam
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003

It is this reporter's opinion – and justly so – that the great privilege I have known as a newsman/broadcaster is getting to know a cross-section of our wondrous land and our PEOPLE. In the forefront of the many great personalities whose paths I've crossed is my darling Doris Day.

Doris was born Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff (the name means "chapel yard" in German) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was William Kappelhoff, an excellent musician/composer, who taught piano, organ, violin and theory. Her mother, Alma Sophia Welz, came from a solid German background.

Early on, Doris became an expert dancer and performed with her dance partner, Jerry. However, her dancing career was cut short when at 12 years of age, traveling in a neighbor's car, they were struck by a railroad train. Doris, along with her friends, was severely injured, her right leg shattered. While she was convalescing in the hospital, the nurses noticed that she had an excellent singing voice. The die was cast ... and the rest is history.

Her first singing break came at 16 years of age when she joined the Barney Rapp Orchestra. Next was a stint with Bob Crosby, Bing's brother. Her big break came with Les Brown and his Band of Renown. Her first marriage was to a trombonist, Al Jorden, who fathered her son, Terry.

Doris' first break in pictures came with "Romance on the High Seas." I asked Doris last evening which was her favorite picture. She said she had the most fun making "The Glass Bottom Boat" with Arthur Godfrey, but she probably favored "Pillow Talk" and "Calamity Jane."

She loved doing her television series; in fact, she has fully enjoyed every aspect of her professional career.

I'll never forget the first time I met Doris Day. I was announcing Les Brown's orchestra. She stood up to sing ... it was sheer magic and it's never changed.

Doris never had a single dramatic or singing lesson, yet became one of the greatest entertainers in American show biz history.

Doris is one of the least pretentious, least self-involved human beings I have ever known. Doesn't drive, rides a bicycle or horseback, is an excellent athlete ... and what a figure!

She seldom shows pique or anger, but don't cross her about an animal – that gets her dander up! Whatever Doris is doing, wherever she is, whatever the circumstance, she finds time to rescue a human, a dog, a cat – any animal in distress.

Unlike many I've known in the show biz set, her discussions never center around her last song, picture, play or wardrobe – her absolute center is on OTHERS FIRST.

Doris is heartland America ... she is apple pie!

Her humble, down-to-earth approach to life reflects her German mother, Alma, who drove Doris all over the country from one engagement to another ... and taught all of the orchestra wives how to cook and launder their husbands' shirts.

Alma was my dancing partner. Mama Kappelhoff spent many weekends at our ranch and we did all the old-fashioned German dances! How that lady could polka!

I've been blessed with so many fond memories of Doris:

Years ago, one Friday the 13th, Doris and I drove – just the two of us – to a dog kennel that was in financial trouble. We'd decided to rescue it. As we were leaving, the cutest little teacup poodle jumped on my lap. Doris said, "You've got a friend." I ended up buying the little fella and brought him home. It was Friday the 13th – a lucky Doris Day! So I named the little one Lucky Day – and he WAS, too! Whenever I ran one of my thoroughbreds and took Lucky Day along, we always won!

Once we did a rescue operation in Burbank at 3:00 a.m. Doris actually crawled through the barbed wire, tore her slacks and was all cut up – to rescue a little dog in distress. She's a tomboy, you know! She was fearless ... and I am witness to that!

Last evening I asked Doris, "What about another picture? What about another television series?" She hesitated – "No, George, I've done all that. Anyway, it would take me away from my animals and I always want to be home at feeding time." At this very moment, she's with her animals in Carmel, Calif. – riding her bike or a horse or having fun with the kids in the neighborhood.

Doris is simply wondrous. She is America's darling. She'll forever remain in our hearts for her selflessness, generosity ... and eternal youth. What a gal!

This being a brand new year, what a moment to remember her and her four-legged friends. Join me in saluting and supporting Doris Day's Animal League and Doris Day's Animal Foundation. Visit her Web sites and be generous.

Go to:
http://www.ddal.org
http://www.ddaf.org

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The legendary George Putnam is 88 years young and a veteran of 68 years as a reporter, broadcaster and commentator ... and is still going strong. George is part of the all-star line-up of Southern California's KPLS Radio – Hot Talk AM 830. Click here for George's complete bio

... and check out a new feature article in "Insight" magazine on George.

Editor's note:
FREE - 4 Months to NewsMax.com`s Magazine. Check It Out - Get four FREE