Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane

Movie spotlight

Calamity Jane

1963
Movie
90 min
English

A Wild West cow town is starving for entertainment and it falls upon Calamity Jane, a rowdy, gun-toting tomboy, to go to Chicago to bring back a famed stage actress. She brings instead the star's maid, who settles in the town, but Jane's "Secret Love" falls for her. This television special was based on a stage adaptation of the film that was playing regional circuits at the time it aired.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes50%
Google Users79%
Director: David ButlerGenres: Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance

Plot Summary

In the Wild West town of Deadwood, the boisterous and often clumsy Calamity Jane tries to prove her worth as a sharpshooter and Indian scout, often to the chagrin of the townspeople and her rivals. After a series of mishaps, including impersonating the famous actress Adelaid Adams to impress a visiting Lieutenant, she finds unexpected romance with her friend Wild Bill Hickok.

Critical Reception

Calamity Jane was met with mixed to positive reviews upon its release, with particular praise directed at Doris Day's energetic performance and the film's catchy musical numbers. While some critics found the plot somewhat formulaic and the setting less authentic than ideal, its vibrant energy and entertainment value have led to it becoming a beloved classic within the musical western genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Doris Day delivers a spirited and entertaining performance as the tomboyish frontierswoman.

  • The musical numbers are lively and memorable, adding significant charm to the proceedings.

  • While the plot offers some predictable elements, the film's overall upbeat tone and energetic presentation are highly enjoyable.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciate Doris Day's dynamic portrayal and the film's engaging musical sequences. Many viewers find the movie to be a fun and entertaining Western musical, though some note it leans more towards musical comedy than gritty Western.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for one Academy Award for Best Original Song ('Secret Love').

Fun Fact

The song 'Secret Love,' written by Paul Francis Webster and Sammy Fain, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1954, though the film itself was released in 1963, making it a notable case of an Oscar-winning song appearing in a later film.

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