As a superb Roller and Ice Skater, it took no time for Doug to master the intricate routines of Sonja's Ice Review numbers. They skated for the crown heads of Europe, including a command performance for Queen Elizabeth.
Gloria Nord and Doug as they appeared in THE DANCING YEARS in London, England.
Doug appeared with Sonja in the 1955 British movie HELLO LONDON, also starring Michael Wilding. The movie was never released in this country but Doug was able to see it in a theater in Scotland. He was fortunate to have obtained a copy of the film and I have been so blessed to have been able to see it too. The whole last incredible skating scene was filmed on black ice that was made by putting black ink in the water before freezing it. Because of the difficulty of doing this they had to do the whole number in one take and hope no one fell down and got their costumes full of ink ice. In this photo you can see the blackness of the ice and how their skates reflect in the darkness.
The last skating scene of the movie was Doug's shinning hour. There were all these skaters on the black ice then a spotlight shine's on Doug who is standing there in his white costume, looking so handsome, ready to take the hand of America's Skating Sweetheart. He gently takes her in his arms and waltz's the skating queen herself around that black ice.
After Sonja retired, Doug moved to Las Vegas where he returned to his first love Roller Skating. He still resides in Las Vegas and spends hours at the Roller Rink still doing a jump and spin on occasion.