So when Curtiz wanted her to work for him again but was stuck for a story to do, Al promised rashly to think up a plot, which he dictated to a writer as My Dream Is Yours. She went into that with Jack Carson and Lee Bowman. Bob Hope was also persuaded to put her on his radio show at $1250 a week.
Doris, who nowadays shies away from appearing for charity no matter what, was more co-operative then. Hearing her sing at a benefit in the Beverly Hills Hotel, Curtiz decided she needed a vocal coach, and she went along with him for a while. By now her career was beginning to move. She was waiting for her divorce, and was going out on dates again. She also went to her lawyer and had him draft a new contract to be signed between Al and herself. It contained an escalator clause giving him up to twenty-five per cent of her earnings as they increased.
“I don’t want anybody but you to take care of me,” she told him.
“You’re already under contract,” said Al. “This new one isn’t necessary, but if you really want it, then fine. I’ll be happy to sign it.”
His partners were still telling him: “You’re spending too much time on her. You’d better get on to something new.” Al disagreed. “If this girl hits like I think she will, we can make a whole business around her alone.”
She decided she was secure enough now to buy a small house in San Fernando Valley, to bring out her son and mother. This was a taste of heaven for her, bringing her family under one roof. Her parents had been separated when she was twelve. In 1961, her father at the age of sixty-two married Luvenia Williams Bennett, the forty-five-year-old Negress who managed the bar he owned in Cincinnati. The telegram he sent Doris to break this bit of news went unanswered.
The last benefit Al Levy asked her to do was to be held at the Hollywood Bowl for a local disk jockey. She agreed, as usual then, but didn’t show up for rehearsal with the band. Her agent telephoned to ask why.
“Marty says I don’t have to do the benefit,” she answered.
“What’s he got to do with it? He hasn’t been in the picture much so far.”
“He told me you’ll be traveling around a lot and getting other things. He said it will be best if he starts taking care of part of my business in case things come up when you’re away.”