Earlier this year I picked up the TCM Greatest Classic Films: Doris Day Double Feature DVD during one of the TCM shop’s sales. After watching By the Light of the Silvery Moon from the set this month (review coming in December), I decided to check out the special features, knowing that shorts and cartoons were included on both disks. The features and my thoughts on them are listed below!

Disc 1: On Moonlight Bay

Feature #1: “Let’s Sing a Song About the Moonlight”
This Memories from Melody Lane short puts the spotlight on four classic songs about moonlight: “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” “Moonlight Bay,” “In the Evening by the Moonlight,” and “Shine On, Harvest Moon.” Keep an eye out for lovely Ann Sheridan performing the final song! Lyrics are included on-screen for the audience to sing along to (beginning mid-way through each song), and a little bit of history about each song is given. What fun it would be to see this played on the big screen. Here’s hoping the Redford will screen it before a movie sometime — perhaps one of these Doris Day films!

Lyrics for each song give the audience a chance to sing a bit of karaoke before the feature in "Let's Sing a Song About the Moonlight." (Screen capture by Lindsey for TMP)
Lyrics for each song give the audience a chance to sing a bit of karaoke before the film begins, in “Let’s Sing a Song About the Moonlight.” (Screen capture by Lindsey for TMP)

Feature #2: “A Hound for Trouble”
This Merrie Melodies cartoon features the character “Charlie Dog,” following him as he searches for a new home after being kicked off of the ship where he was living previously. He sets his sights on an Italian restaurant, the owner of which is not quick to take Charlie in. It’s no secret ’round here that I’m a total dog person. Dogs in the real world, dogs in photographs, cartoon dogs… I love them all, and Charlie is no exception. Gotta love his cheerful, somewhat oblivious attitude.

Disc 2: By the Light of the Silvery Moon

Feature #1: “So You Want to Learn to Dance”
This approximately 11-minute short tells the tale of a man who gets invited to a party but is dreading it, because he can’t dance. His boss attempts to teach him, but he just can’t get the hang of it and completely bombs at the party. So, his boss sends him off to dance lessons. A silly but fun little film that paints dance as the most important skill in life. Once he finally finds his feet, the man gets a promotion and gets the girl!

The unskilled dancer must practice a number of different styles with his new dance teacher in the 1953 short "So You Want to Learn to Dance." (Screen capture by Lindsey for TMP)
The unskilled dancer must practice a number of different styles with his new dance teacher in the 1953 short “So You Want to Learn to Dance.” (Screen capture by Lindsey for TMP)

Feature #2: “So You Want a Television Set”
The very same chap with two left feet in the previous feature returns here. This time around, he’s married. His wife wants a TV set, but he’s reluctant to buy one, saying it’s too expensive and there are too many commercials. He finally agrees, and it’s a good thing, because his wife’s already bought one… and plans on redecorating the house to suit their new TV-watching hobby. More bicker-y and less fun than the previous short (until the final minute or so), but a very interesting watch for the historical significance. It pokes fun at everything wrong with TVs, and presents a trip to the cinema to see By the Light of the Silvery Moon as the solution to all of the man’s problems! Fun cameos by Doris Day and Gordon MacRae in the final scene.

Feature #3: “From A to Z-Z-Z-Z”
This is a Merrie Melodies cartoon about a very sleepy student who can’t seem to pay attention to his reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic — he’s too busy taking naps or daydreaming in class. I love the animation style of this short (see the screen capture below for an example). The daydream sequences are well-suited to a child’s imagination. He sees himself as a brave cowboy and a brave navy man. Not my favorite Merrie Melodies short, but it’s cute.

His teacher wants him to complete a math problem, but he'd rather get some shut-eye. (Screen capture by Lindsey for TMP)
His teacher wants him to complete a math problem, but he’d rather get some shut-eye. (Screen capture by Lindsey for TMP)

If you’re interested in watching these features, along with On Moonlight Bay and By the Light of the Silvery Moon, you can find this DVD set at TCM’s online shop!