Calamity Jane

Parents need to know that Calamity Jane is an upbeat 1950s musical about a frontierswoman who spends much of her time in the local saloon bar drinking, fighting, and telling tall tales. The character of Calamity Jane (Doris Day) -- loosely based on a real-life American woman -- goes some way to challenging gender stereotypes of the time. But her against-the-grain attitude is reined in a little toward the end. The movie includes some problematic views -- partly around the way a woman "should" behave, but mostly in its racist representation of and reference to Native Americans and minstrel shows. This includes slurs such as "redskins." Characters also regularly drink alcohol, smoke cigars, and shoot guns, but rarely to cause injury. There's some romance -- and kissing -- within the story, with Jane and her friend Katy (Allyn Ann McLerie) competing for the affection of Lieutenant Gilmartin (Philip Carey). The overall feel is upbeat and positive, with some catchy song and dance numbers, as well as slapstick physical comedy.