Calamity Jane (1953)

The story of Calamity Jane, her saloon, and her romance with Wild Bill Hickok.

Director:

David Butler

Writer:

James O'Hanlon

Stars:

Doris Day, Howard Keel, Allyn Ann McLerie

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Doris Day	...	Calamity Jane
Howard Keel	...	Wild Bill Hickok
Allyn Ann McLerie	...	Katie Brown (as Allyn McLerie)
Philip Carey	...	Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin
Dick Wesson	...	Francis Fryer
Paul Harvey	...	Henry Miller
Chubby Johnson	...	Rattlesnake
Gale Robbins	...	Adelaid Adams

Storyline

Deadwood, Dakota Territory, is largely the abode of men, where Indian scout Calamity Jane is as hard-riding, boastful, and handy with a gun as any; quite an overpowering personality. But the army lieutenant she favors doesn't really appreciate her finer qualities. One of Jane's boasts brings her to Chicago to recruit an actress for the Golden Garter stage. Arrived, the lady in question appears (at first) to be a more feminine rival for the favors of Jane's male friends...including her friendly enemy Wild Bill Hickock.

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Plot Keywords:

song and dance | native american attack | female protagonist | saloon | man in drag | 

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Taglines:

Brand-new song hits by the stage load!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The saloon interior was designed by Harper Goff, who also designed for Disneyland including the interior of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, which explains why they look so similar.

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Goofs

In the close-up shot of Calamity suspended by the rope from the saloon ceiling, it is obvious that the rope is holding steady quite some way off the vertical. A wire is visible suspended to the seat of her trousers.

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Quotes

Henry Miller: [looks inside stage coach] Is there a woman in here?
[Indians are looking at and touching Frances clothes and bag inside the stage coach]
Francis Fryer: No sir. Just Indians.

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Connections

Referenced in Lady in the Water (2006)

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Soundtracks

Just Blew in from the Windy City
Written by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Sung and danced by Doris Day

User Reviews

good old Doris ...

... who else could put across the Deadwoodstageis number like Doris Day in the opening sequences of this wonderful movie? Right through to her mushy ballad 'Secret Love' she is perfect for the role of the butch cowgirl who gets a feminine makeover and snares her shooting buddy (the excellent Howard Keel, in fine voice here). Doris was a true star, a great actress and singer, game for a laugh and a pretty blonde who transcended her rather trite public image through her talent. Calamity Jane is possibly her best work, and certainly one of the best musical movies of the 1950s (against some pretty stiff competition). They might be making musicals again, but they won't make them quite like this.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Calamity Jane

Filming Locations:

Stage 1, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1