MovieChat Forums > Calamity Jane (1953) Discussion > If An Actress Played Calamity Today...

If An Actress Played Calamity Today...

posted 18 years ago by nneprevilo
9 replies | jump to latest

Doris Day and other actresses in musicals during the 50s weren't even considered for awards. If an actress today could pull off this role as well as Doris did AND did her own singing, she'd get an Oscar nomination.

If you'll look at these boards, this movie is one of the most discussed and scrutinized. Day's wonderful performance lives today because it is such a vibrant, energetic turn. The fact that she was a first-rate singer carried this film. Her athletic dancing and realistic approach to the material assured a place in millions of hearts, world-wide. This is, by far, one of the BEST movie musicals ever. In my humble opinion, it's better than the ones that are constantly crammed down our throats as being "classic" like "Singin' In The Rain" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Audrey Hepburn, a non-singer gets talked about more for her feeble attempt at a musical ("Funny Face") than Doris does in both "Calamity Jane" and "The Pajama Game." What's wrong with people?!!!!!!!

[–] Tanithpanic 18 years ago

I think it's a very underrated musical as well. And if you ever see the stage show there are some lovely songs that were cut out. I'd not turn my nose up at a remake if all the songs were included - though it would be hard to beat Doris's original performance.

[–] rioamigo 18 years ago

The extra songs in the stage show were not cut out of the film.
The film came first, by almost 25 years, and was turned into a stage play in the late seventies because it had developed such an earnest and devoted following. Paul Francis Webster and Sammy Fain were asked to write additional songs for the score. As an interesting bit of trivia, two of the songs new to the stage production, "Men" and "Love You Dearly," were actually written by Webster/Fain for LUCKY ME, the film Doris Day made (1954) immediately following CALAMITY JANE. They "lifted" them from LUCKY ME to be re-used in the stage production of CALAMITY JANE.

[–] cosmogirly 18 years ago

Seven brides is my favourite movie ever followed by calamity jane

im not too fussed about singin in the rain tho
thought it was boring and a bit much with that huge bit in the middle of gene kelly and cyd charisse dancing

[–] whedd3 10 years ago

Just as "Calamity Jane" is a wonderful film, "Lucky Me" is horrible. I own "Lucky Me" and I can't sit through it. The songs are bad. The first song that Doris sings is a few steps below dreadful. It's ridiculously bad. If Doris Day, the best musical actress in American films, can't make the sings sparkle it's time to turn off the lights and go home.

[–] Buffy24601 18 years ago

...while Doris herself didn't win an award, the song "Secret Love" did, and I'm sure Doris was up there for the speeches or at least copiously thanked.

From wiki:
"1953 found Doris as pistol-packin' Calamity Jane what has become one of Hollywood's most enduring musicals, winning the Oscar for Best Song for "Secret Love"."

[–] MartG 17 years ago

Notwithstanding politics, and political-correctness, here's my list of today's performers who COULD have played Calamity today:
1. Madonna
2. Barbra Streisand (several years ago)
3. Celine Dion (wouldn't that be something else!)
4. Bette Midler (I'll "bette" she could still pull it off!)

[–] mightymo-2 16 years ago

Ick! X 4!

[–] rebekahrox 13 years ago

I'd go with Bette Midler. But the others? a thousand times no!

[–] milliedil 13 years ago

While I roundly applaud your high esteem for this wonderful picture and its incomparable star, it hardly requires that you denigrate Audrey Hepburn's effortless charms and accomplishments in the splendid Funny Face. Or, for that matter, the enduring brilliance of Singin' in the Rain and the many delights of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

There's nothing "wrong with people", as you ask. It's a subjective experience.

"Thank you, thank you--you're most kind. In fact you're every kind."