CALAMITY JANE AND SAM BASS (1949)

Starring Yvonne De Carlo, Howard Duff, Dorothy Hart, Willard Parker, Norman Lloyd, Lloyd
Bridges
Directed by George Sherman

Print: color
Runtime: 85 min.
Genre: western

For various reasons, the 1949 western Calamity Jane and Sam Bass has a rather poor
reputation amongst film buffs. Many observers feel that stars Yvonne de Carlo and Howard
Duff merely go through the motions, while others complain that the usually dependable
Universal-International production values are largely absent. Recent cable-TV showings of
this film have revealed that, while not in the same league as Stagecoach or Winchester 73,
Calamity Jane and Sam Bass is a relatively entertaining rehash of a familiar story. Most of
the film consists of Bass' rise to notoriety as a colorful outlaw. On the verge of retirement,
he agrees to one last holdup, which proves his undoing. According to the film, Calamity Jane
remains by Bass' side throughout his various exploits, even though she ultimately loses him
to 'nice' girl Katharine Egan (Dorothy Hart).
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