Slideshow
CALAMITY JANE
Screening as part Film Forum Jr.
U.S., 1953
Directed by David Butler
With Doris Day, Howard Keel, Allyn Ann McLerie, Howard Keel
Editing by Irene Morra
Music by Ray Heindorf
Approx. 101 min. 35mm.
Doris Day, as the legendary frontier gal, stalks around in forage cap, buck skinned leather pants and cowboy boots, all the while out shootin’ Howard Keel’s Wild Bill Hickock and warbling “Secret Love.”
Reviews
“‘All too soon my secret love became impatient to be free.’ Celebrated as Hollywood's great gay anthem, Doris Day's tender and exuberant performance explodes the conceit of CALAMITY JANE.”
– Armond White, Out
“A hugely enjoyable proto-lesbian musical.”
– Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
“CALAMITY JANE is a groundbreaking film that challenges traditional gender roles and explores LGBTQ+ themes through its characters and relationships. Doris Day embraced the cultural impact and importance of the LGBTQ+ community's reception of "Secret Love" and her feminist roles. Day's close friendship with Rock Hudson, a closeted gay man, and her support of the LGBTQ+ community further solidified her status as a gay ally both on and off-screen.”
– Adam Grinwald, Collider