Real Histories

Have you every wondered about historic characters like Calamity Jane or Maria Von Trapp? Well here you can read all about the real stories behind the characters built up by Hollywood musicals and movies.

Starting with Calamity Jane made famous by Doris Day in the musical, was she really as tough as she made out?
Maria Von Trapp, was she an angelic step mother?
Find out all about them only on this page
If you have an idea for a Real Histories subject please email me and I will investigate the truth behind the character.

This is a working page and will be changed and updated  between set dates.

Musical Character:- Calamity Jane

In the musical version played by Doris Day,  Calamity (Day) was totally in love with Lt. Danny Gilmartin who fell in love with Katie Brown. Calamity then realized she was in love with Wild Bill Hickok (Howard Keel) Part of  this is the truth as the real Calamity Jane married Bill. For the full true story click on the title above.

Musical:- The King and I
Characters:-
Mrs. Anna Leonowens. - Deborah Kerr
The King of Siam - Yul Brynner

Story: Governess goes to live in Siam to teach Kings Children. They have a great respect for each other and they dance. Though nothing happens between then there is passion. However Anna only realizes her feelings as the King dies. 

Musical:- The Sound Of Music
Character:- Maria Von Trapp

Maria is a novice who is always in trouble. She is sent to be a Governess in the home of Captain Von Trapp. She falls in love with him, leaves, comes back to discover that he is engaged to the Baroness. He breaks the engagement when he realizes Maria is in love with him, they marry. The Germans come and occupy Austria. The Family Von Trapp sing before escaping Austria.

Musical - Annie Get Your Gun
Character Annie Oakley - Betty Hutton

In the musical Annie is a simple girl who joins the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show when they visited a near by county. She falls in love with Frank the star of the show. Wins medals and Frank becomes jealous of her success. A shooting contest is held and Annie loses on purpose to win her man back.

Film - Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid
Starring - Paul Newman and Robert Redford

Butch and Sundance go on the run after a train robbery but the owners of the railroad hire a posse who are to track them down and kill them. Butch, Sundance and Sundance's woman Etta then go to Bolivia where after trying to go straight end up doing Bank jobs until they are shot dead by the Bolivian Army. 

Character - Wild Bill Hickok Musical - Calamity Jane
Played by - Howard Keel

Wild Bill falls in love eventually with Calamity Jane after them being friends for years.

Last Update
December 2003

Next Update
May 2004

Previous Page

Email
Address

Home Page

Created in 1999 by
Lynn Kilpatrick Publishing