Calamity Jane is based on real people of The American West. They are Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. They are played by Doris Day and Howard Keel. The story is pure fiction, but it is very entertaining. It includes such lively songs as The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), Just Blew in From theWindy City, and The Black Hills of Dakota.
Doris Day shines in this movie. She has a great ability to do comedy and sing. She goes from dressing like a man to transforming into a beautiful woman. This is with the help of Katie Brown, (Allyn Ann McLerie). This coincides with the makeover of Calamity’s cabin, from a simple dwelling, to a woman’s dream house. This is with the suggestion of Katie, who is her new housemate. This transformation is shown through the song, A Woman’s Touch.
Katie comes to be Calamity’s roommate through unusual circumstances. Calamity Jane goes to Chicago, to persuade a famous entertainer, Adelaide Adams, to come to Deadwood. Adams has departed for a European tour. Katie is mistaken for Adams, and leaves with Calamity, before she can explain. Katie becomes a hit in town, especially with Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, (Philip Carey). Calamity also likes him, leading to a rivalry between the two.
The film qualifies as a musical comedy. The manager of the Deadwood theater, Henry Miller, (Paul Harvey) is distraught, that Adelaide Adams, isn’t on the stage. There is an an actor, Francis Fryer, (Dick Wesson), who comes instead. Miller persuades him to dress up in drag. The crowd loves him, until his wig comes off. There is another scene, when Calamity can’t show off her dress, because she fell in the creek.
Calamity Jane works well with it’s simple story. Doris day highlights the film, by singing Secret Love. Her character realizes she loves her rival Wild Bill Hickok, (Howard Keel). He, (Keel), manages just a certain level to keep pace with Doris Day. There are many Hollywood musicals that are lackluster, but this isn’t one.