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:

calamity jane character | wild bill hickok character | cigarette smoking | cigar smoking | sarsaparilla | 

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Taglines:

Yippeeeee!! It's the big bonanza in musical extravaganza!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

All through the film it is hinted that Bill Hickock is in love with Calamity Jane. In several scenes he is seen to be gazing adoringly at Calamity, and also his refusal to reprimand her for insulting him. Unlike his reputation, he behaves in a gentlemanly manner all through the film.

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Goofs

The arrow which lodges in Adelaid Adams' trunk atop the stagecoach casts two shadows, revealing studio lighting.

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Quotes

Calamity Jane: [singing] Hi Joe / say where'd you get them fancy clothes? / I know / off some fella's laundry line. / Hi Bow / aren't you the prairie rose / Smell like a watermelon vine.

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Connections

Referenced in Call the Midwife: Episode #3.8 (2014)

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Soundtracks

I Can Do Without You
Written by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Performed by Doris Day and Howard Keel

User Reviews

The rare, elusive, original-to-film musical.

The film is marvelous, but it's been dissected to death; consequently, I can't add any comment you haven't already heard. Lovely Technicolor cinematography of the outdoor frontier and rich period costuming enhances this top-notch cornucopia of story, score, and songs- including 'The Deadwood Stage,' 'I Can Do Without You,' 'Windy City,' 'The Subject of Harry,' and 'Secret Love.' Two special moments for me are Howard Keel singing 'Higher Than A Hawk' to the portrait of Allyn McLerie, and 'A Woman's Touch,' which shows McLerie and Doris Day become sisters in solidarity. They clean the house (in fact, renovate it) while discovering Calamity's femininity at the same time. They joke, they bond, and at the end of the scene our heroine is in a dress and quite the looker. There's no shocking sexist message here; it's a musical showing how a woman gets her man. I don't think in 1953 you could've asked for more. On the other hand, most of Day's scenes with Keel are a locked-horns battle of the sexes- absolutely no question. They compliment each other beautifully- from 'I Can Do Without You', right up to their nearly romantic duet of 'The Black Hills of Dakota.' Enjoy the film again, and look between the lines- some of it is quite timeless.