Although nowadays my parents are fairly impatient with my choice in movies, I do actually owe my current film taste to them. Unlike some kids, I wasn't brought up on a diet of Americanised, hyper-coloured and pointless cartoons - naturally I watched Disney films like any kid, but we all know that's different - rather, I remember watching almost grown-up and classic films from a young age. The Clash of the Titans has been a favourite of mine since I was eight, and I was utterly obsessed with the 1938 version of Robin Hood. It's probably one of the reasons that I don't now shy away from a movie just 'cos it's "old" - it's that quality in fact which I adore.
One such film which I adored - and still do - is the 1953 musical Calamity Jane. It belongs to a series of films made at the time, such as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers or Annie Get Your Gun: chirpy and colourful Wild West musicals which were just so fun and charming to watch. As far as I'm concerned, Calamity Jane is one of the most underrated yet most wonderful of all of these. It tells the adventures of Calamity Jane, a young woman living in the Wild West who has firmly integrated herself in the male-orientated society by, well, pretty much becoming one. Slightly clumsy, quick tempered and impetuous, Calamity Jane is a simply wonderful character - played gloriously by Doris Day who somehow, despite her gorgeous face and voice, manages to pull off tomboy exceptionally well. Her relationship with Wild Bill Hickok (Howard Keel) is beautifully portrayed - the chemistry between them is just stunning, and in both their humorous and tender moments they are just perfect together; he being so tall and she so tiny, they are just an adorable couple. The songs too are wonderful, wittily written and full of energy and the cinematography is bright and sweeping, like any good film of the 50s. Altogether this film is a treat, and if you haven't been lucky enough as me to experience it since your childhood, well, what are you waiting for?!
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