This piece was inspired by Doris Day and a quote from a podcast that I had heard. I have always enjoyed her films and music as a particular form of escapism. I think that she had superb comic timing and a fabulous voice but that her skills were sometimes belittled because of her material. She was viewed as a frothy blonde rather than an actor of depth and substance.
The image that I have used is from the promotional stills for ‘Love me or leave me’ her film of 1955. This is one of my favourite films of hers and tells the story of the singer Ruth Etting, whose own story sadly mirrored her own life. She acts and sings superbly with James Cagney alongside her. It tells the story of a woman who is manipulated and controlled by her manager but breaks free through her own strength and talent. Embroidered onto a vintage handkerchief it suggests the heartbreaking drama of the film and the eventual empowerment of both Ruth Etting and Doris Day.