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the Deadwood Stage

Posted by: showtunetrivia 12:39 pm EDT 10/29/15
In reply to: re: Cut-your-throat-able - Michael_Portantiere 10:56 am EDT 10/29/15

The section of the song specifically references what was an integral part of the Wild West show--to quote from an early program, "the attack on the Deadwood Mail Coach by Indians, and rescue by Buffalo Bill Cody and attendant cowboys."

I've been researching an alternate history story recently involving Annie Oakley and World War I, so I'm surrounded by more books on the Wild West show than you can imagine.

To give you the short version, the stage ran from Deadwood to Cheyenne in the late 1860's to early 1880's, carrying mail and also ore from the mines. It was attacked many times (usually by bandits, not Native Americans), and was abandoned after one such event. Cody found it, fixed it up, and devised the idea for the theatrical attack. (He knew the coach well, having driven it just after the war.). It became the highlight of the show; you can even find youtube footage of an early silent recording.

I don't want to get involved in a fracas about language, but the Deadwood Stage attack, with the WWS Indians playing the villains and Cody and the cowboys the heroex, was iconic to the show.

The Deadwood Stage traveled with the WWS to England, Germany, and Spain. Along with Annie's marksmanship and the cowboy tricks, it was the most memorable part of the show. If you're doing a show about the WWS, it makes sense to mention it. Maybe Berlin could have used other (less bloodthirst) descriptions, but let me assure you, the original ads and programs were far more, um, colorful.

Laura, wallowing in research


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re: the Deadwood Stage

Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 02:01 pm EDT 10/29/15
In reply to: the Deadwood Stage - showtunetrivia 12:39 pm EDT 10/29/15

Thanks for the info. I guess that's the same Deadwood Stage that Doris Day sings about in CALAMITY JANE?


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re: the Deadwood Stage

Posted by: showtunetrivia 02:15 pm EDT 10/29/15
In reply to: re: the Deadwood Stage - Michael_Portantiere 02:01 pm EDT 10/29/15

That is indeed the very same stage.

Laura


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