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Monday, 27 July 2015

C stands for Calamity Jane.

Calamity Jane's real name was Martha Jane Cannary.  She was an American frontiers woman and often rode shotgun on stage coaches, delivering mail to the small towns around the 'Wild West',  and protecting passengers from marauding Red Indians and local bandits.  Both of her parents died when she was fourteen years of age so she raised her younger siblings single-handed. 


She was a rowdy woman, she grew up acting and looking like a man. Also she drank like a fish and could shoot like a cowboy. One of her close friends was Wild Bill Hickok, in fact it was widely rumoured that they were having a relationship!

She performed in many travelling wild west shows,  including the famous  'Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show'.




Now for the real Calamity Jane.....in my humble opinion..........is the one and only Miss Doris Day, in the delightful Hollywood movie, she danced and sang her heart out and her portrayal of Calamity Jane was sheer Hollywood perfection.


Who can forget the  wonderful song and dance routines?

Calamity singing 'A woman's touch'- this is when she suddenly discovers her feminine side.

Once I had a secret love'

Edith Head-famous costume designer for some of the most beautiful female actors-said Doris had the most perfect figure she's ever fitted. Plus her voice was pure, she was a truly talented singer and dancer too.

'I just got back from the Windy City'.

 

Calamity Jane gets her man Wild Bill Hickok   ( Howard Keel ) So handsome.

 Nothing like a sprinkling of Hollywood sparkle dust to tell a story what it should be like.... not how it was! It's a miserable rainy Sunday afternoon so I am just settling in my cosy recliner to watch ?? Yes you've guessed....

'Calamity Jane'!

My sincere thanks to the charismatic Denise for devising ABCW an also too Roger our charitable admin. man for doing what he does and doing it so well!  CHEERS to all the team who support Roger and Denise ....may the creativity continue!
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team,
 
***



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33 comments:

  1. ellen b.27 July 2015 at 19:15

    Such a colorful woman! Love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes28 July 2015 at 07:26

      She was indeed, I admire the real Calamity raising her siblings single handedly,
      Doris day certainly glamorised the story, but that's entertainment...I just loved
      her and all the other films she made... all good clean fun!
      Best wishes,
      Di.
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  2. Leslie:27 July 2015 at 20:24

    Oh gosh! You've taken me back to my childhood days! Great introduction, Di.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes28 July 2015 at 07:29

      Hi Leslie,
      thanks for your kind comments, I too remember going to the local cinema and watching Calamity.
      I know every song almost word for word.
      Golden memories again!

      Best wishes,
      Di,
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  3. Roger Owen Green28 July 2015 at 07:18

    DD never looked better than in buckskin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes28 July 2015 at 07:38

      Is that a 'man thing' Roger?
      , but she was a cracker all those years ago.
      I loved her films with Rock Hudson and James Garner.
      She's still alive, and well, and has reached the grand old age of 93.... quite an amazing lady !
      Best wishes,
      Di.
      ABCW team..

      Delete
    2. Roger Owen Green28 July 2015 at 07:44

      Di - Probably.

      Delete
    3. Trubes28 July 2015 at 07:55

      Ha ha! Roger,
      as I guessed !

      Di,xx

      Delete
  4. Uppal28 July 2015 at 07:26

    Thanks for recounting the exploits of a colorful character!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes28 July 2015 at 07:42

      Hi Uppal,
      Thanks for your kind comments.
      I feel it's good to reminisce from time to time, particularly remembering such a wonderful
      performer as Doris Day.
      Best wishes,
      Di,
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  5. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA28 July 2015 at 09:43

    Yes, there's nothing like the old Hollywood musicals to make you feel good, even when you know true stories were highly glamorized and embellished for entertainment purposes. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes28 July 2015 at 11:24

      Hello Arnoldo,
      Oh! how I agree with you, nothing about a bit of Hollywood smooch to lift one's heart!
      The Sunday afternoon I was writing about Calamity, when I'd finished I put the DVD on
      and enjoyed it
      , It was a terrible weather day here with howling gales and driving rain, Ian came home
      from golf just soaked right through, so he lit a lovely log fire, had a shower, then cooked
      us a warming chicken casserole...... Simple and tasty. I cannot believe the weather we are
      enduring, and it's going on for a few weeks, according to the weathermen,
      I do hope all is good with you and yours,
      Best wishes,
      Di,
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  6. Anita Sabat28 July 2015 at 09:51

    This looks so Cool :)
    I love such kind of Classic movies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes28 July 2015 at 11:28

      It is Anita,
      I hope you get the opportunity to see it some time, it's up with the best !
      Thanks for your comments,

      Best wishes,
      Di.
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  7. Obsessivemom28 July 2015 at 09:53

    That's a lovely intro Di. I need to see this film. I'm all for glamoursing real-life stories. Specially since that makes them immensely watchable. Off to check if its available online.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes28 July 2015 at 11:38

      Thank you Tulika,
      You must , you'll love it, I'm sure..
      I like to watch it now with my grandchildren, as I did with my daughters when they were
      little....in fact they too watch it with them too now...Happy days .

      Best wishes,
      Di.
      ABCW team..

      Delete
  8. Nonnie28 July 2015 at 11:16

    When I was young, "Calamity Jane" was one of my favorite movies. I think I saw all of Doris Day's musicals.
    On PBS' "Last Tango in Halifax," a baby born to Gillian's son is named CALAMITY.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Trubes29 July 2015 at 04:51

    Hello Norma,
    Good to hear from you again!
    It seems that Calamity was quite a hit with most of us, I too saw all of Doris Day's movies, I just loved her.
    I haven't watched Last tango recently must try and catch up.
    best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Coloring Outside the Lines29 July 2015 at 05:22

    I am a big fan of these classic movies..especially anything with Doris Day in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes30 July 2015 at 01:26

      Hi Teri,
      Good to hear from you again
      , Doris Day is just the best, such a gutsy lady, so much talent!

      best wishes,
      Di.
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  11. Melbourne Australia Photos29 July 2015 at 07:07

    Great intro! Thanks for hosting.
    My C is for CASTLES IN CORDOBA, Spain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes30 July 2015 at 01:30

      Hi Nick,
      Thanks for your kind comments, I shall pop over to
      your place shortly, to read all about CASTLES IN CORDOBA!

      Best wishes,
      Di.
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  12. Su-sieee! Mac29 July 2015 at 09:43

    Yi-ha! I'm with you, Di. Doris Day's Calamity Jane is THE Calamity Jane. That's one of my all-time favorite movies. I've seen it so many times even the Husband likes to sing a couple of songs with me. I read that Doris and Howard Keel did their duet at the bar in one take. And, someone told me that Doris had a bad back at the time the movie was made so was in a brace most of the time.

    Jane Austen, Action Doll, loves the idea of being called Calamity Jane Austen. She'll definitely live up to Doris' Calamity. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Trubes30 July 2015 at 01:45

    Hi Su-sieee,
    We seem to be in accord again, similar tastes methinks or is it 'Great minds think alike' ?
    I've seen a lot of musicals, over the years but I think Calamity stands out amongst the best,
    just the sheer talent of Doris Day is awesome, and oh!... the beautiful voice of Howard Keel
    sends shivers down my spine.
    So glad your JA likes the idea of being CJA....I don't know where that came from, my husband
    often wonders what goes on in my head, particularly when he reads my blogs!
    Good to hear from you again,

    best wishes,

    Di,

    ABCW team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Su-sieee! Mac30 July 2015 at 11:23

      Best kind of Husband to have. I've got one too. My "crazy" thinking keeps him on his toes. :-)

      Delete
    2. Trubes31 July 2015 at 03:18

      Hello again Su-sieee,
      I think it's just a 'man thing'... they never know what goes on in a woman's head.
      Just as well really!

      Di,x

      Delete
  14. Ann30 July 2015 at 07:58

    I love the story of Calamity Jane, the play was here in 1961 on stage. Carol Burnett played Calamity.
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trubes31 July 2015 at 02:57

      Hi Ann,
      Good to hear from you again, I'm so glad you love the story of Calamity Jane,
      it makes it more interesting when the show and is based on a true story.
      I can imagine Carol Burnett would make an excellent Calamity (not as good as Doris Day, I have to say!)
      The stage show has been doing the rounds in the UK again but when it played in Liverpool, we were away
      on holiday. Never mind I shall just have to play my DVD again !

      Best wishes,
      Di.
      ABCW t

      Delete
  15. Roger Owen Green30 July 2015 at 18:51

    Fritz Ann - what problems are you having, specifically? I've successfully visited the first 42 folk, and will finish the rest over the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Trubes31 July 2015 at 03:06

    Fritz Ant,
    Thanks for stopping by and your comments.
    I thought it was widely known about Calamity and Wild Bill....I guess the film maker wouldn't want to sully the name
    of Doris Day doing such unmentionable things on set...The film was portrayed as good innocent family fun!
    I'm sorry to learn your having problems with leaving comments, I'm sure Roger will be able to help you so good luck
    with that.

    Best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Trubes31 July 2015 at 03:12

    Roger,
    I have had problems leaving comments on a couple of sites, one you put me right about, but there sometimes a problem with a photography site, I haven't encountered it this time round, needless to say I can't remember the name but if it happens again I'll let you know

    Cheers,
    Di x,

    ReplyDelete
  18. Suzy1 August 2015 at 06:24

    Haven't seen Calamity Jane but I love Doris Day - will have to watch it one of these days.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Trubes1 August 2015 at 09:58

    Hi Suzy,
    thanks for stopping b y and commenting.
    You must try and get a copy of Calamity Jane, a must for every Doris Day fan!

    Best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

    ReplyDelete

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