Saturday 9: Tunnel of Love (1958)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this week's song, Doris Day tries to convince her lover to share a kiss in the Tunnel of Love. What's your favorite amusement park ride?  I don't have a specific favorite, but I have always loved the old-fashioned "dark rides." The Tunnel of Love would have been one of those, I suppose, but I like the silly or scary ones.

2) In the 1950s, when Doris recorded this song, Tunnel of Love rides were popular in the US. Couples would climb into small boats that only seat two and float through a dark tunnel, accompanied by romantic music. Today less than 100 of these rides still exist. Have you ever taken a ride through the Tunnel of Love?  No. I've ridden every dark ride I've ever come across, but none of them have been a Tunnel of Love.

3) This week's featured artist, Doris Day, made approximately 40 films and a TV series. She said one of her favorite things about being an actress was the clothes. She loved collaborating with the experts who created her wardrobe. Her contemporary, Betty Grable, found all the fittings boring and just let the wardrobe department do their job without offering much input. Imagine you are a performer: Would you be more like Doris or Betty?  Definitely Betty! My mom used to make a lot of my clothes when I was a kid and I hated the fittings. I don't feel like that's changed.

4) There was persistent rumor that, after Doris appeared on Bob Hope's radio show, the two had an affair. She always denied it. Have you ever been the subject of workplace gossip?  Probably, because I've yet to see a workplace where people don't talk about their coworkers, but not for anything like that. 

5) Doris never liked to fly and her fear increased as she got older. After she retired, she refused to fly at all. This caused her to decline lifetime achievement awards and other events in her honor. Have you more recently extended, accepted or declined an invitation?  Extended. I invited my daughter to go to Sam's Club with me tonight (Friday) and I invited my mom to go with me to the opening of a new discount store tomorrow.

6) After show biz, Doris devoted herself animal welfare. She used to say that we should be more sensitive to the loneliness and sadness people feel when they lose a pet. Think of a time when you were grieving. What words or gestures helped you get through the difficult time?  I don't know that any words helped, but I've twice lost a pet since being on Facebook and the outpouring of sympathy was wonderful. It was so nice having all those people reaching out and knowing you weren't alone. There would have been nothing of that magnitude before social media.

7) In 1958, when this song was on the Billboard chart, "The Purple People Eater" was also popular. It's a silly song about a creature from another planet. Have you ever seen a UFO (unidentified flying object)?  Not that I'm aware of.

8) Also in 1958, Americans were watching 77 Sunset Strip. The show revolved around the LA-based private investigators whose office was at that address. Who is your favorite TV PI?  I've always liked Jim Rockford.

9) Random question -- In the 1950s, stewardesses used to famously ask passengers, "Coffee, tea, or milk?" If asked that right now, which of these three beverages would you prefer?  Well, never coffee, so tea...unless I can have chocolate milk.

Thanks, Sam, for the music and questions.

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