Calamity Jane Overview:

Calamity Jane (1953) was a Western - Musical Film directed by David Butler and produced by William Jacobs.

SYNOPSIS

Day is the famous cowgirl in this musical extravaganza about the legendary female sharpshooter and her up-and-down romance with Wild Bill Hickok.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1953 --- Ceremony Number 26 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Music - ScoringRay HeindorfNominated
Best Music - SongMusic by Sammy Fain; Lyrics by Paul Francis WebsterWon
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BlogHub Articles:

Musical Monday: Calamity Jane (1953)

on Mar 8, 2021 From Comet Over Hollywood

It?s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals. In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 600. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals. This week?s musical: Calamity Jane ? Musical #49 ... Read full article


Calamity Jane (1953)

on Jul 19, 2016 From Journeys in Classic Film

Originally published March 21st, 2012 Calamity Jane was the latest film I watched for my Women in Film class and this movie is frustrating. ?It’s cute and has some good songs and Doris Day is beautiful no matter how hard she tries, but the issue of femininity and female competition over men re... Read full article


Calamity Jane (1953)

By Beatrice on Oct 22, 2015 From Flickers in Time

Calamity Jane Directed by David Butler Written by James O’Hanlon 1953/USA Warner Bros. Repeat viewing/Netflix rental I have loved this movie since I first saw it on my parent’s black-and-white TV set. Calamity Jane was a real person. ?This musical takes liberties with her story. ?Ca... Read full article


Classic Films in Focus: CALAMITY JANE (1953)

By Jennifer Garlen on Mar 18, 2015 From Virtual Virago

Calamity Jane (1953) transforms a Western legend into a frontier Cinderella story, complete with the requisite ball, but instead of a prince our heroine is out to land a handsome cavalry lieutenant. This Warner Brothers musical, directed by David Butler, can't be faulted for its lack of historical v... Read full article


Classic Films in Focus: CALAMITY JANE (1953)

By Jennifer Garlen on Mar 18, 2015 From Virtual Virago

Calamity Jane (1953) transforms a Western legend into a frontier Cinderella story, complete with the requisite ball, but instead of a prince our heroine is out to land a handsome cavalry lieutenant. This Warner Brothers musical, directed by David Butler, can't be faulted for its lack of historical v... Read full article


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Quotes from

Calamity Jane: Enjoy the show!


Calamity Jane: That's better. Next time I tell a story, keep your hands in your *pockets* you toothless old buffalo!


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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Facts about

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the 1970s, Doris Day recalled seeing early dailies from this film, in which she was stomped about the set in buckskins and leather, speaking in a high, girlishly feminine voice. She immediately brought her line readings down several registers, so she'd sound as tough as she looked.
Warner Bros. studio head Jack Warner decided to make "Calamity Jane" after he tried - and failed - to buy the movie rights to "Annie Get Your Gun" as a vehicle for Doris Day. He not only drew on another legendary "wild woman" of the Old West for his heroine, he hired the same male star, Howard Keel, who'd appeared in the film of Annie Get Your Gun.
During early 1954, music from this film reigned supreme in "Billboard." Number one among the singles was a Doris Day trademark, the Oscar-winning, tender ballad, "Secret Love" (music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster). Also, the Day-Howard Keel 10-inch LP of songs from the score, issued by Columbia Records, zoomed to second place amongst the popular albums.
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Best Music - Song Oscar 1953






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