Surprisingly incoherent and boring

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Doris Day plays an unrefined tomboy who is handy with a gun and learns about refinement on the way to finding romance and singing some hit songs. If that sounds like a rehash of 1950's successful "Annie Get Your Gun", it's probably no coincidence. And both starred Howard Keel as the male lead.Even if "Calamity Jane" can't match the array of notable, classic tunes that "Annie Get Your Gun" boasts, it can an stand on its own as a solid musical with songs by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. In fact, the film relies mostly on its music and the wholesomely talented Miss Day to make its mark.Ms. Day, besides displaying her usual enthusiasm while singing the film's musical numbers, including its best song "Secret Love", also plays the role of Calamity with a physicality that deserves special praise. Not only does she adapt a carriage that rings true for a woman who tries to be manlier than any man, but she also talks the talk and performs stunts that most actresses would hesitate to consider.The other major female character, Katie Brown, is portrayed by Allyn Ann McLerie (in only her fourth screen credit). Ms. McLerie holds her own with Doris and has a presence that seems to portend more leading roles in her future.Fans of fifties musicals should find what they're looking for in "Calamity Jane" unless they are seeking biographical truth.

music, West atmosphere, Doris Day and Howard Keel.slice of a period , nice, seductive, crazy, funny.and itself. this is basic point because, in a ocean of musicals, it has its individuality not exactly for story or for songs but for charming manner of Doris Day to create her character. it is a modern fairy tale, fascinating for innocence slices and joy who has it axis. for the spirit of a childish play and for the sweet feminism. maybe, it is far to be memorable but the link between Keel and Doris is so amusing than whole chain becomes, formally, credible. it is a sunshine film and best cure for cloudy days from every windy city.

A good hearted fifties original film musical with Doris Day and Howard Keel in splendid form. The film showcases how good a musical actress Doris Day was before, now derided, her turn as the eternal virgin in a series of sixties comedies. Singing, dancing and upfront acting without a hint of ironic post modernisms, Day convinces you of a rural tomboy called Calamity Jane - hunting, shooting, fighting and singing/dancing - who realises she has to become a proper woman to get a man!! Her energy is infectious and she almost puts Keel into the shade with such a bravura performance. The songs (not too many, they only filled a 10 inch LP!) are memorable, reaching from the boisterous 'Whip, crack away' to the lyrical 'Secret Love' and crashing into the pop charts of the day! The only quibble is that the musical numbers are staged like stage musicals with the performers almost waiting for the applause after finishing singing with a few seconds of looking at the screen doing nothing soaking up the adulation!

Calamity Jane is directed by David Butler and written by James O'Hanlon. It stars Doris Day, Howard Keel, Allyn Ann McLerie, Phillip Carey & Dick Wesson. The score features music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. Out of Warner Brothers, the film is seen as a response to the success of MGM's production of Annie Get Your Gun in 1950, where Keel was also starring. Plot here is loosely based on the life of Wild West heroine Calamity Jane (Day) and explores the relationship between Wild Bill Hickok (Keel) and herself. I guess the first thing that should be said is that this is no biography of one Martha Jane Cannary Burke (AKA: Calamity Jane), In truth this is more a comedy musical romp built around the famous frontiers woman. And with it being very basic on narrative and direction, this really only appeals to the film fan with musical leanings. But on that score the film is delightful, with spirited lead performances from Day & Keel and a handful of truly great tunes headed by the Oscar winning "Secret Love". The film also earns some bonus points for giving Day the chance to play something other than the naive innocent girl next door type (it was a personal favourite role of hers). She gets to be spunky and brash without ever losing that adorable appeal that carried her throughout her career. The play on sexual stereotypes is rather humorous without being twee, something that you feel Butler was under appreciated for, and Wilfred M. Cline's colour photography enhances the playfulness of it all. Seen now as a feminist fantasy with a gay following thanks to "Secret Love", there's no denying the film is all very Hollywoodized; with characters so animated they could burst. But all told, if one is able to forgive and see past its flaws then it's a film guaranteed to light up the darkest of wintry days. 7/10