Calamity Jane (Warner Bros., 1953), directed by David Butler, is a vibrant and thoroughly entertaining musical Western that is brimming with energy, charm, and memorable songs. Starring Doris Day as the titular character, the film is a fun and lighthearted romp that subverts traditional gender roles and celebrates the spirit of female independence. While it may not be the most historically accurate portrayal of the Wild West, it’s a joyous and colorful film that is sure to put a smile on your face.
The story follows Calamity Jane, a rough-and-tumble, sharpshooting frontierswoman who is just as comfortable with a gun as she is with a whip. She lives in Deadwood, South Dakota, and is a constant source of amusement and exasperation to its townsfolk. When a mix-up occurs with the arrival of a new actress to the town’s saloon, Calamity Jane finds herself in a competitive situation with a famous Chicago actress, Katie Brown (Allyn McLerie). She then makes it her mission to travel to Chicago and bring back the celebrated stage star, Adelaide Adams (Gale Robbins), to Deadwood. This leads to a series of comedic situations, a growing friendship between Calamity and Katie, and also the development of a romantic relationship with the handsome, but somewhat roguish, Wild Bill Hickok, played by Howard Keel.
What makes Calamity Jane such a delightful experience is its sheer exuberance and its willingness to embrace the absurd. The film is full of slapstick humor, witty dialogue, and some truly show-stopping musical numbers. Doris Day, in a role that is far removed from her usual persona, is absolutely terrific as Calamity. She embodies both the character’s rough exterior and her underlying vulnerability, and she is a natural in the film’s various musical numbers.
The songs by Sammy Fain (music) and Paul Francis Webster (lyrics) are fantastic, and the film features several standout numbers including “Secret Love,” which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, “The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away),” and “Just Blew in from the Windy City,” all of which showcase Day’s considerable singing and dancing abilities. The choreography, by Jack Donohue, is lively and engaging, and it further enhances the film’s overall sense of fun and excitement.
David Butler’s direction is assured and well-paced, keeping the film moving along at a brisk and entertaining pace. He creates a visual style that is both colorful and dynamic, making excellent use of the film’s elaborate sets and costumes. The film is shot in WarnerColor, which further enhances the visuals and adds to its overall appeal.
While the plot of Calamity Jane might not be particularly deep or sophisticated, it serves its purpose as a vehicle for the film’s numerous musical numbers and comedic set pieces. The characters are all appealing and well-defined, even if they are somewhat larger-than-life, and the film’s themes of female empowerment and the importance of being true to oneself are surprisingly modern for a film of this era. The movie certainly plays around with the traditional roles of men and women, with the character of Wild Bill Hickok also showing his own vulnerability, and the eventual romance between him and Calamity.
