Episode 211 - Calamity Jane

“Calamity Jane” 1953 is a fanciful western, musical, and comedy involving the lives of Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok and many others in and around Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Director David Butler corrals together quite a group of characters for this light-hearted romp through the make-believe west with many fun songs.  In part the movie was inspired by the box-office success of “Annie Get Your Gun” 1950. Doris Day plays the wildly energetic Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickok is played by Howard Keel, Allyn Ann McLerie is Katie Brown an aspiring song and dance performer who captivates in every scene, and Philip Carey is the upstanding Lieutenant Daniel Gilmartin.  There are many other excellent cast members including Dick Wesson as Francis Fryer.  Return with us now to this 1953 version of the west.