Calamity Jane (1953)

Doris Day got a real change-of-pace role when she took on Calamity Jane. Day pushes a little too hard as she tries to convince viewers that she's a rough, tough tomboy, and therefore is never quite believable, but Day puts so much energy and effort into it that most viewers will be willing to go along with her. The picture as a whole is one of Day's better musical vehicles. While it's undeniably derivative -- mostly of Annie Get Your Gun, but there's more than a dollop of Oklahoma! and The Harvey Girls as well -- it's well made and appealing. It also boasts a very generous Sammy Fain-Paul Francis Webster score -- some dozen numbers, most of which are winners. The opening, "Deadwood Stage," is a rouser, "Higher Than a Hawk" is an intriguing ballad, and the Oscar-winning "Secret Love" is charming, and very well performed by Day. Even "I Can Do Without You" and "Just Blew in From the Windy City," which are too obviously inspired by Annie's "Anything You Can Do" and Oklahoma's "Kansas City," are entertaining on their own terms. Aside from his sturdy baritone, Howard Keel doesn't contribute much to his part, but Allyn Ann McLerie is a delight, especially in her duet with Day, "A Woman's Touch." Director David Butler had worked with Day on several previous efforts and helmed her next effort, By the Light of the Silvery Moon. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide