Annie (film)
Encyclopedia
Annie is a 1982 American musical film
directed by John Huston
and choreographed by Arlene Phillips
. The film is an adaption of the 1977 stage musical of the same name
, which in turn was based on the 1924 Little Orphan Annie
comic strip by Harold Gray. The movie features music by Charles Strouse
, lyrics by Martin Charnin
, and was written by Thomas Meehan
. Annie stars Albert Finney
, Carol Burnett
, Bernadette Peters
, Ann Reinking
, Tim Curry
, Geoffrey Holder
, Edward Herrmann
, and Aileen Quinn
in her feature film debut. This was the only musical that Huston ever filmed.
, Annie (Aileen Quinn
) lives in the Hudson Street Orphanage in New York City. Though the others living in the orphanage know for a fact that they are orphans, Annie believes that her parents simply left her there (Maybe). The orphanage is run by Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett
) a drunk, cruel, hopelessly romantic tyrant whom all the girls fear. Among the orphans are Annie, Molly (Toni Ann Gisondi
), Pepper (Rosanne Sorrentino
), Tessie (Lara Berk), Kate (April Lerman
), Duffy (Robin Ignico
), and July (Lucie Stewart). After Annie is caught trying to escape by Miss Hannigan, Hannigan orders the girls to clean up the orphanage (Hard-Knock Life).
Later, while trying to escape again, in a laundry truck run by Mr. Bundles (Irving Metzman), Annie happens upon a dog who takes an instant liking to her (Dumb Dog). She later names him Sandy after convincing the dogcatcher that it's hers. Unfortunately, both Sandy and Annie are taken to the orphanage, where Annie awaits punishment and Sandy a one-way trip to the sausage factory (Sandy). However, they are saved by Miss Grace Farrell (Ann Reinking
), a secretary to billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney
) who wants to have an orphan stay at his mansion for a week to help his image. Grace instantly picks Annie and manages to save Sandy, having to resort to threatening Miss Hannigan's job when she protests.
Upon arrival, Annie, Sandy, and Grace are greeted by Warbucks' bodyguards Punjab (Geoffrey Holder
) and The Asp (Roger Minami) among the other butlers, maids, and servants including Colette (Colleen Zenk Pinter
), Drake (I. M. Hobson), Mrs. Pugh (Lu Leonard
), Mrs. Greer (Mavis Ray), Annette (Pamela Blair
), and Saunders (Victor Griffin
). During her stay at the mansion, Annie has the time of her life, quickly endearing herself to everyone in the mansion (I Think I'm Going To Like It Here). The only person not immediately charmed by her is Warbucks, who wanted a boy orphan.
Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan, drunk and depressed (Little Girls), receives a surprise visit by her brother Rooster (Tim Curry
) and his girlfriend Lily St. Regis (Bernadette Peters
). Rooster tells Miss Hannigan that he was released from imprisonment on good behavior.
Annie eventually gains "Daddy" Warbucks' trust. When Sandy detects an assassin who tries to kill Warbucks with a bomb, it is thwarted by Sandy, Punjab, and The Asp. Grace explains to Annie that the Bolsheviks are displeased that Warbucks is living proof that the American system actually works. After an evening at the movies (Let's Go To The Movies), Warbucks and Grace tucks Annie in together. Grace eventually convinces Warbucks to adopt Annie and he goes to the orphanage to get the adoption papers signed. Though Miss Hannigan is uncooperative at first, and attempts to seduce Warbucks, he blackmails her into signing (Sign). However, when he goes to tell Annie and is about to give a Tiffany's
locket to her, Annie says she wants to find her parents. Deciding to help, Warbucks makes an announcement on a radio show hosted by Bert Healy (Peter Marshall
) offering a $50,000 reward to Annie's parents.
Several couples appear at Warbucks's doorstep. Oliver and Punjab take Annie in the autocopter to visit President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Edward Herrmann
) in Washington D.C., where Annie charms the president and his wife (Tomorrow (White House Version)). When Annie realizes that the couples are fake, Warbucks convinces her not to give up. Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan is approached by two people who claim to be Annie's parents, but are revealed to be Rooster and Lily in disguise. The three make plans to use the disguises to collect the reward, drown Annie (suggested by Rooster), and split the take three ways (Easy Street). On hearing this, the other orphans escape and run to Warbucks's mansion only to be locked up by Miss Hannigan, Rooster, and Lily. The orphans escape, but arrive too late to prevent Rooster and Lily from collecting Annie and the money.
After the orphans' warning, Warbucks puts out an APB on the felons, and he and Grace search for them while Punjab and another servant search from the autocopter. The search ends at a railway drawbridge that is in the upright position. When Annie destroys the check, Rooster pursues her to the B&O Bridge despite Miss Hannigan's objections. As the police, firefighters, and ambulance arrive with Warbucks, Punjab saves Annie by kicking Rooster off the bridge to a firefighter's net.
With Rooster and Lily in jail, Annie finally gets her wish of a good family at a party where President Roosevelt and the First Lady along with Annie's orphan friends and the servants are enjoying themselves (I Don't Need Anything But You). Miss Hannigan, now a changed woman, is also shown amongst the guests. A new development in Grace and Warbuck's relationship is also shown, as they kiss twice. The film ends with a fireworks
display spelling Annie's name.
Orphans
Supporting/Minor
John Huston
makes an uncredited cameo as a radio actor. Amanda Peterson
, Shawnee Smith
, and Tina Marie Caspary
had minor appearance as dancers. Meredith Salenger
made an uncredited cameo as a dancing orphan.
Several singer-actresses made their debuts in this movie, as Annie's fellow orphans and principal dancers:
According to Robert Osbourne of Turner Classic Movies
, Drew Barrymore
had auditioned for the role of Annie while Bette Midler
was an early choice for Miss Hannigan, and Jack Nicholson
had been considered for the role of Daddy Warbucks.
_-_cropped.jpg)
The producer of the film, Ray Stark
, wanted both John Huston
and Joe Layton
while working as the director and choreographer respectively, to also be executive producer on the film, because it was too large an enterprise for one person. Carol Sobieski
, the screenwriter said: "Hiring John [Huston] is an outsider risk, and Ray's [Stark] a major gambler. He loves this kind of high risk situation."
It was planned that the staging for the song "Easy Street", with Carol Burnett
, Tim Curry
, and Bernadette Peters
, would be the biggest number in the film. A special outdoor street set, costing $1 million, was built, and it took over one week to shoot the scene. However, the final number was thought to be "overstuffed" and "sour". Nearly two months after the film had finished shooting, an indoor, more intimate, number was shot.
The production filmed for six weeks at Monmouth University
in New Jersey
, which has two mansions that were used in the film one of which is the Shadow Lawn Mansion, now known as Woodrow Wilson Hall
. An abandoned railroad bridge over the Passaic River
in Newark
was used for location shooting of one of the climatic scenes
In the stage musical, Hannigan, Rooster, and Lily are caught at the Warbucks estate, thus their plan to kidnap Annie fails as they are arrested by the President's secret service. In the movie, Annie is kidnapped, leading to Warbucks organizing a citywide search and while escaping, Rooster chases her up the B&O
Bridge. Miss Hannigan's heart softens and she also attempts to rescue Annie from being killed by Rooster, but he knocks her out and continues the chase. Eventually, Punjab rescues Annie by autocopter and returns her safely at the end. Miss Hannigan is then shown joining in the celebration at the end of the movie and showing a possible romantic interest in Punjab.
The scene used for the "Maybe" song was the last scene filmed for the movie, because the original opening was too long. Although the "Maybe" song was still used, Annie and Molly are sitting at the window; however, this scene was still inserted into the film, only the last part with the rest of the orphans singing, after the "Little Girls" scene and the scene with Rooster and Lily's entry, during Annie's first night at the Warbucks estate.
Punjab and The Asp, Warbucks' servants/bodyguards from the comic strip, are brought back for this film in supporting roles.
The setting was moved from Christmas to Fourth of July.
nominations for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical (both) and New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Female (Quinn). Quinn won the Young Artist Award, Best Young Motion Picture Actress.
A "Special Anniversary Edition" DVD was released on January 13, 2004 (four days before producer Ray Stark's death). Despite the fact that the first DVD was widescreen, the DVD was in pan and scan (but with DTS sound). Reviewing the disc for DVD Talk
, Glenn Erickson
, while praising the film overall, called the pan and scan transfer an "abomination that's grainy and lacking in color." He also noted that the short retrospective featurette with Ms. Quinn contained clips from the film in the correct aspect ratio. Erickson also called the music video of "It's the Hard-Knock Life" by Play
"pretty dreary" and attacked the other, child-oriented extras by saying "Musicals and kids' films aren't just for tots ... and this disc is little more than a headache." http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/9221/annie-1982/ However, several countries in Region 2 received widescreen versions of this edition including the United Kingdom
.
Nominated
, Annie: A Royal Adventure! was made for television and aired on ABC on November 18, 1995. The sequel starred Ashley Johnson
, Joan Collins
, George Hearn
, and Ian McDiarmid
. Aside from a reprise of "Tomorrow," there are no songs in the film.
In the film, Warbucks (Hearn), Annie (Johnson), an eccentric scientist (McDonalds) and one of the orphans travel to England
, where Warbucks is to be knighted by the King. However, the kids get mixed up in the scheme of an evil noblewoman (Collins) to blow up Buckingham Palace
while all the heirs to the throne are present for Warbucks' knighting, thus making her queen.
on November 7, 1999, starring Kathy Bates
as Miss Hannigan, Victor Garber
as Daddy Warbucks, Alan Cumming
as Rooster Hannigan, Audra McDonald
as Grace Farrell, Kristin Chenoweth
as Lily St. Regis, and newcomer Alicia Morton
as Annie. Produced by The Walt Disney Company
in association with Columbia TriStar Television
, the movie received generally positive reviews and high ratings. It also earned 2 Emmy Awards and a 1999 George Foster Peabody Award. Although truer to the original stage musical than the 1982 movie, it condensed much of the full story in an attempt to make it more viewable for children. It featured a special appearance by Andrea McArdle
, star of the original Broadway production.
The film has aired on cable on Hallmark Channel
, ABC Family
, and Starz after its premiere on ABC. Disney Channel
, which had aired the original 1982 version of Annie, has not aired the 1999 version, but will do in the future.
This version is more comical than the 1982 version's slightly darker tone.
On January 20, 2011 it was announced that Will Smith
was planning to produce a remake of Annie and it would star his daughter Willow Smith
in the title role. Jay-Z
is also in talks to provide the music for the film though no word yet if he will re-create the original soundtrack or write new music for the film.
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
directed by John Huston
John Huston
John Marcellus Huston was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics: The Maltese Falcon , The Treasure of the Sierra Madre , Key Largo , The Asphalt Jungle , The African Queen , Moulin Rouge...
and choreographed by Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment...
. The film is an adaption of the 1977 stage musical of the same name
Annie (musical)
Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years with a blonde Annie as the poster...
, which in turn was based on the 1924 Little Orphan Annie
Little Orphan Annie
Little Orphan Annie was a daily American comic strip created by Harold Gray and syndicated by Tribune Media Services. The strip took its name from the 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley, and made its debut on August 5, 1924 in the New York Daily News...
comic strip by Harold Gray. The movie features music by Charles Strouse
Charles Strouse
Charles Strouse is an American composer and lyricist.-Life and career:Strouse was born and raised in New York City, the son of Ira and Ethel Strouse...
, lyrics by Martin Charnin
Martin Charnin
Martin Charnin is an American lyricist, writer, and theatre director. Charnin's best-known work is as conceiver, director and lyricist of the hit musical Annie....
, and was written by Thomas Meehan
Thomas Meehan (writer)
Thomas Meehan is an American writer, best known for Annie, The Producers and Hairspray.-Life and career:Meehan grew up in Suffern, New York, and graduated from Hamilton College...
. Annie stars Albert Finney
Albert Finney
Albert Finney is an English actor. He achieved prominence in films in the early 1960s, and has maintained a successful career in theatre, film and television....
, Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett
Carol Creighton Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, dancer and writer. Burnett started her career in New York. After becoming a hit on Broadway, she made her television debut...
, Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters is an American actress, singer and children's book author from Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Over the course of a career that has spanned five decades, she has starred in musical theatre, films and television, as well as performing in solo concerts and recordings...
, Ann Reinking
Ann Reinking
Ann Reinking is an American actress, dancer, and choreographer. She has worked extensively in musical theatre, both as a dancer and choreographer, as well as appearing in film.-Biography:...
, Tim Curry
Tim Curry
Timothy James "Tim" Curry is a British actor, singer, composer and voice actor, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California....
, Geoffrey Holder
Geoffrey Holder
Geoffrey Richard Holder is a Trinidadian actor, choreographer, director, dancer, painter, costume designer, singer and voice-over artist.-Early life:...
, Edward Herrmann
Edward Herrmann
Edward Kirk Herrmann is a U.S. television and film actor. He is best known for his Emmy-nominated portrayals of Franklin D...
, and Aileen Quinn
Aileen Quinn
Aileen Marie Quinn is an American actress. She is best-known for having played the title role in the film Annie .-Biography:...
in her feature film debut. This was the only musical that Huston ever filmed.
Plot
In 1933, during the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, Annie (Aileen Quinn
Aileen Quinn
Aileen Marie Quinn is an American actress. She is best-known for having played the title role in the film Annie .-Biography:...
) lives in the Hudson Street Orphanage in New York City. Though the others living in the orphanage know for a fact that they are orphans, Annie believes that her parents simply left her there (Maybe). The orphanage is run by Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett
Carol Creighton Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, dancer and writer. Burnett started her career in New York. After becoming a hit on Broadway, she made her television debut...
) a drunk, cruel, hopelessly romantic tyrant whom all the girls fear. Among the orphans are Annie, Molly (Toni Ann Gisondi
Toni Ann Gisondi
Toni Ann Gisondi is a former child actress, best known for playing Molly—the youngest orphan—in the 1982 film version of the musical Annie.-Early life:...
), Pepper (Rosanne Sorrentino
Rosanne Sorrentino
Rosanne Sorrentino is a former child actress, best known for playing the role of the bossy orphan Pepper in the 1982 film of the musical Annie.-Early life:Rosanne Sorrentino was born on January 15, 1968, in Oceanside, Long Island, New York...
), Tessie (Lara Berk), Kate (April Lerman
April Lerman
April Lerman is an American former child actress who played the role of Kate, an orphan in the 1982 film of the musical Annie. She also was a regular cast member on the first season of Charles in Charge , where she played the character of Lila Pembroke.-Early life and career:Lerman was born in...
), Duffy (Robin Ignico
Robin Ignico
Robin Ignico is an American former child actress, who was one of the final three girls up for the title role in the 1982 film of Annie. She missed out to Aileen Quinn and played the role of Duffy instead.-Early life:...
), and July (Lucie Stewart). After Annie is caught trying to escape by Miss Hannigan, Hannigan orders the girls to clean up the orphanage (Hard-Knock Life).
Later, while trying to escape again, in a laundry truck run by Mr. Bundles (Irving Metzman), Annie happens upon a dog who takes an instant liking to her (Dumb Dog). She later names him Sandy after convincing the dogcatcher that it's hers. Unfortunately, both Sandy and Annie are taken to the orphanage, where Annie awaits punishment and Sandy a one-way trip to the sausage factory (Sandy). However, they are saved by Miss Grace Farrell (Ann Reinking
Ann Reinking
Ann Reinking is an American actress, dancer, and choreographer. She has worked extensively in musical theatre, both as a dancer and choreographer, as well as appearing in film.-Biography:...
), a secretary to billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney
Albert Finney
Albert Finney is an English actor. He achieved prominence in films in the early 1960s, and has maintained a successful career in theatre, film and television....
) who wants to have an orphan stay at his mansion for a week to help his image. Grace instantly picks Annie and manages to save Sandy, having to resort to threatening Miss Hannigan's job when she protests.
Upon arrival, Annie, Sandy, and Grace are greeted by Warbucks' bodyguards Punjab (Geoffrey Holder
Geoffrey Holder
Geoffrey Richard Holder is a Trinidadian actor, choreographer, director, dancer, painter, costume designer, singer and voice-over artist.-Early life:...
) and The Asp (Roger Minami) among the other butlers, maids, and servants including Colette (Colleen Zenk Pinter
Colleen Zenk Pinter
-Daytime career:She is best known for her role as fashionista-heroine-turned-evil-bitch-cougar-mother-from-hell Barbara Ryan on the daytime drama As the World Turns, a role she began portraying in September 1978....
), Drake (I. M. Hobson), Mrs. Pugh (Lu Leonard
Lu Leonard
Lu Leonard was an American actress. She made over 45 film and television appearances between 1956 and 1995...
), Mrs. Greer (Mavis Ray), Annette (Pamela Blair
Pamela Blair
Pamela Blair , known as Pam, is an American actress, singer, and dancer best known for originating the role of "Val" in the musical A Chorus Line and several appearances on American soap operas.-Early life and career:...
), and Saunders (Victor Griffin
Victor Griffin
The Very Reverend Victor Gilbert Benjamin Griffin , is a Church of Ireland priest, theologian and author. He served as Dean of St...
). During her stay at the mansion, Annie has the time of her life, quickly endearing herself to everyone in the mansion (I Think I'm Going To Like It Here). The only person not immediately charmed by her is Warbucks, who wanted a boy orphan.
Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan, drunk and depressed (Little Girls), receives a surprise visit by her brother Rooster (Tim Curry
Tim Curry
Timothy James "Tim" Curry is a British actor, singer, composer and voice actor, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California....
) and his girlfriend Lily St. Regis (Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters is an American actress, singer and children's book author from Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Over the course of a career that has spanned five decades, she has starred in musical theatre, films and television, as well as performing in solo concerts and recordings...
). Rooster tells Miss Hannigan that he was released from imprisonment on good behavior.
Annie eventually gains "Daddy" Warbucks' trust. When Sandy detects an assassin who tries to kill Warbucks with a bomb, it is thwarted by Sandy, Punjab, and The Asp. Grace explains to Annie that the Bolsheviks are displeased that Warbucks is living proof that the American system actually works. After an evening at the movies (Let's Go To The Movies), Warbucks and Grace tucks Annie in together. Grace eventually convinces Warbucks to adopt Annie and he goes to the orphanage to get the adoption papers signed. Though Miss Hannigan is uncooperative at first, and attempts to seduce Warbucks, he blackmails her into signing (Sign). However, when he goes to tell Annie and is about to give a Tiffany's
Tiffany's
Tiffany's Restaurants, Inc. is a restaurant chain with 6 locations in New Jersey. Its flagship location was opened at Union, New Jersey in 1982 as Tiffany Gardens.-Reviews:...
locket to her, Annie says she wants to find her parents. Deciding to help, Warbucks makes an announcement on a radio show hosted by Bert Healy (Peter Marshall
Peter Marshall (game show host)
Peter Marshall is an American television and radio personality, singer, and actor.He was the original host of The Hollywood Squares, from 1966 to 1981. He has almost fifty television, movie, and Broadway credits...
) offering a $50,000 reward to Annie's parents.
Several couples appear at Warbucks's doorstep. Oliver and Punjab take Annie in the autocopter to visit President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Edward Herrmann
Edward Herrmann
Edward Kirk Herrmann is a U.S. television and film actor. He is best known for his Emmy-nominated portrayals of Franklin D...
) in Washington D.C., where Annie charms the president and his wife (Tomorrow (White House Version)). When Annie realizes that the couples are fake, Warbucks convinces her not to give up. Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan is approached by two people who claim to be Annie's parents, but are revealed to be Rooster and Lily in disguise. The three make plans to use the disguises to collect the reward, drown Annie (suggested by Rooster), and split the take three ways (Easy Street). On hearing this, the other orphans escape and run to Warbucks's mansion only to be locked up by Miss Hannigan, Rooster, and Lily. The orphans escape, but arrive too late to prevent Rooster and Lily from collecting Annie and the money.
After the orphans' warning, Warbucks puts out an APB on the felons, and he and Grace search for them while Punjab and another servant search from the autocopter. The search ends at a railway drawbridge that is in the upright position. When Annie destroys the check, Rooster pursues her to the B&O Bridge despite Miss Hannigan's objections. As the police, firefighters, and ambulance arrive with Warbucks, Punjab saves Annie by kicking Rooster off the bridge to a firefighter's net.
With Rooster and Lily in jail, Annie finally gets her wish of a good family at a party where President Roosevelt and the First Lady along with Annie's orphan friends and the servants are enjoying themselves (I Don't Need Anything But You). Miss Hannigan, now a changed woman, is also shown amongst the guests. A new development in Grace and Warbuck's relationship is also shown, as they kiss twice. The film ends with a fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
display spelling Annie's name.
Cast
Main- Albert FinneyAlbert FinneyAlbert Finney is an English actor. He achieved prominence in films in the early 1960s, and has maintained a successful career in theatre, film and television....
as Oliver Warbucks, a billionaire who is a businessman and later becomes Annie's adoptive dad. - Carol BurnettCarol BurnettCarol Creighton Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, dancer and writer. Burnett started her career in New York. After becoming a hit on Broadway, she made her television debut...
as Agatha Hannigan, Annie's alcoholic caretaker who runs the orphanage. - Tim CurryTim CurryTimothy James "Tim" Curry is a British actor, singer, composer and voice actor, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California....
as Rooster Hannigan, Agatha's con-artist brother. - Bernadette PetersBernadette PetersBernadette Peters is an American actress, singer and children's book author from Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Over the course of a career that has spanned five decades, she has starred in musical theatre, films and television, as well as performing in solo concerts and recordings...
as Lily St. Regis, Rooster's girlfriend. - Ann ReinkingAnn ReinkingAnn Reinking is an American actress, dancer, and choreographer. She has worked extensively in musical theatre, both as a dancer and choreographer, as well as appearing in film.-Biography:...
as Grace Farrell, Oliver's secretary and love interest. - Edward HerrmannEdward HerrmannEdward Kirk Herrmann is a U.S. television and film actor. He is best known for his Emmy-nominated portrayals of Franklin D...
as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Aileen QuinnAileen QuinnAileen Marie Quinn is an American actress. She is best-known for having played the title role in the film Annie .-Biography:...
as Annie, the titular character. - Geoffrey HolderGeoffrey HolderGeoffrey Richard Holder is a Trinidadian actor, choreographer, director, dancer, painter, costume designer, singer and voice-over artist.-Early life:...
as Punjab, one of Warbucks' personal bodyguards. - Roger Minami as the Asp, Warbucks' personal chauffeur and another personal bodyguard.
Orphans
- Toni Ann GisondiToni Ann GisondiToni Ann Gisondi is a former child actress, best known for playing Molly—the youngest orphan—in the 1982 film version of the musical Annie.-Early life:...
as Molly - Rosanne SorrentinoRosanne SorrentinoRosanne Sorrentino is a former child actress, best known for playing the role of the bossy orphan Pepper in the 1982 film of the musical Annie.-Early life:Rosanne Sorrentino was born on January 15, 1968, in Oceanside, Long Island, New York...
as Pepper - Lara Berk as Tessie
- April LermanApril LermanApril Lerman is an American former child actress who played the role of Kate, an orphan in the 1982 film of the musical Annie. She also was a regular cast member on the first season of Charles in Charge , where she played the character of Lila Pembroke.-Early life and career:Lerman was born in...
as Kate - Robin IgnicoRobin IgnicoRobin Ignico is an American former child actress, who was one of the final three girls up for the title role in the 1982 film of Annie. She missed out to Aileen Quinn and played the role of Duffy instead.-Early life:...
as Duffy - Lucie Stewart as July
Supporting/Minor
- Lois de BanzieLois de BanzieLois de Banzie is an American stage, film, and television actress. De Banzie is best known for her Drama Desk Award winning and Tony Award nominated performance in Paul Osborn's play Morning's at Seven. Her other Broadway credits include The Octette Bridge Club, Da, and The Last of Mrs...
as Eleanor RooseveltEleanor RooseveltAnna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international... - Peter MarshallPeter Marshall (game show host)Peter Marshall is an American television and radio personality, singer, and actor.He was the original host of The Hollywood Squares, from 1966 to 1981. He has almost fifty television, movie, and Broadway credits...
as Bert Healy, a radio show host. - Irving Metzman as Mr. Bundles, a laundry man whose truck Annie stows away in.
- I. M. Hobson as Drake, Warbucks's butler.
- Colleen Zenk PinterColleen Zenk Pinter-Daytime career:She is best known for her role as fashionista-heroine-turned-evil-bitch-cougar-mother-from-hell Barbara Ryan on the daytime drama As the World Turns, a role she began portraying in September 1978....
as Ceceil, one of Warbucks' maids. - Mavis Ray as Mrs. Greer, one of Warbucks' maids.
- Pamela BlairPamela BlairPamela Blair , known as Pam, is an American actress, singer, and dancer best known for originating the role of "Val" in the musical A Chorus Line and several appearances on American soap operas.-Early life and career:...
as Annette, one of Warbucks' maids. - Lu LeonardLu LeonardLu Leonard was an American actress. She made over 45 film and television appearances between 1956 and 1995...
as Mrs. Pugh, one of Warbucks' maids. - Victor GriffinVictor GriffinThe Very Reverend Victor Gilbert Benjamin Griffin , is a Church of Ireland priest, theologian and author. He served as Dean of St...
as Saunders, one of Warbucks' servants. - Jerome Collamore as Frick
- Jon RichardsJon RichardsJon Richards is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 19th Assembly District since 1998 and currently serving as Chairman of the Health and Healthcare Reform Committee.-External links:* official government website...
as Frack
John Huston
John Huston
John Marcellus Huston was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics: The Maltese Falcon , The Treasure of the Sierra Madre , Key Largo , The Asphalt Jungle , The African Queen , Moulin Rouge...
makes an uncredited cameo as a radio actor. Amanda Peterson
Amanda Peterson
Amanda Peterson is an American actress. Peterson gained fame during the late 1980s when she portrayed Cindy Mancini, a Tucson, Arizona high-school student, in the movie Can't Buy Me Love.-Career:...
, Shawnee Smith
Shawnee Smith
Shawnee Smith is an American film and television actress and singer. Smith is best known for her roles as Amanda Young in the Saw films and Linda in the CBS sitcom Becker....
, and Tina Marie Caspary
Tina Caspary
Tina Caspary is an American actress, dancer and choreographer. She gained moderate attention in the late 1980s with Can't Buy Me Love.-Early life:...
had minor appearance as dancers. Meredith Salenger
Meredith Salenger
Meredith Dawn Salenger is an American actress identified by her performances while a teenager. Her best known role was the title role in the 1985 Disney film The Journey of Natty Gann.-Early life and career:...
made an uncredited cameo as a dancing orphan.
Several singer-actresses made their debuts in this movie, as Annie's fellow orphans and principal dancers:
- April LermanApril LermanApril Lerman is an American former child actress who played the role of Kate, an orphan in the 1982 film of the musical Annie. She also was a regular cast member on the first season of Charles in Charge , where she played the character of Lila Pembroke.-Early life and career:Lerman was born in...
would later portray "Lila Pembroke" on the first season of Charles in ChargeCharles in ChargeCharles in Charge is an American sitcom series which starred Scott Baio as Charles, a 19-year-old student at the fictional Copeland College in New Jersey, who worked as a live-in babysitter in exchange for room and board...
. - MartikaMartikaMartika is an American pop singer-songwriter and actress. As a singer she released two internationally successful albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s, selling over four million copies worldwide.-Early life and career:Martika entered mainstream show business in an uncredited role as one of the...
(born Marta Marrero II) graduated to the hit TV series Kids IncorporatedKids IncorporatedKids Incorporated, is an American children's television program that was produced from 1984 to 1993. It was largely a youth-oriented program with musical performances as an integral part of each and every storyline....
, and moved on from there to a successful solo career. - Amanda PetersonAmanda PetersonAmanda Peterson is an American actress. Peterson gained fame during the late 1980s when she portrayed Cindy Mancini, a Tucson, Arizona high-school student, in the movie Can't Buy Me Love.-Career:...
, later of ExplorersExplorers (film)Explorers is a 1985 family-oriented science-fiction fantasy film written by Eric Luke and directed by Joe Dante. It was the first feature film for both Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix.It was filmed in 70mm color with 6-track sound, and runs for 109 minutes...
and Can't Buy Me LoveCan't Buy Me Love (film)Can't Buy Me Love is a 1987 teen comedy feature film starring Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson in a story about a nerd at a high school in Tucson, Arizona who gives a cheerleader $1,000 to pretend to be his girlfriend for a month. The film was directed by Steve Rash.-Plot:Ronald Miller is a...
fame, is a principal singer/dancer for the number "Sandy". - Shawnee SmithShawnee SmithShawnee Smith is an American film and television actress and singer. Smith is best known for her roles as Amanda Young in the Saw films and Linda in the CBS sitcom Becker....
has since appeared in such films as Not My KidNot My KidNot My Kid is a 1985 television film directed by Michael Tuchner, which was based on a 1984 book of the same name by Beth Polson and Miller Newton...
, Summer SchoolSummer School (film)Summer School is a 1987 film directed by Carl Reiner about the travails of a high school gym teacher who is forced to teach a remedial English class for a bunch of maladjusted goof-off students. It stars Mark Harmon, Kirstie Alley, and Courtney Thorne-Smith. The original music score was composed by...
, the original Iron EagleIron EagleIron Eagle is a 1986 action film directed by Sidney J. Furie and starring Jason Gedrick and Louis Gossett, Jr. While it received mixed reviews, the film earned US$24,159,872 at the U.S. box office. Iron Eagle was followed by three sequels: Iron Eagle II, Aces: Iron Eagle III and Iron Eagle on the...
, The BlobThe Blob (1988 film)The Blob is a 1988 American monster horror film distributed by Tristar Pictures. It is a remake of the 1958 film of the same name, which starred Steve McQueen. The film was written by Chuck Russell and Frank Darabont and directed by Russell. The shooting took place in Abbeville, Louisiana.-Plot:A...
, Who's Harry Crumb?Who's Harry Crumb?Who's Harry Crumb? is a comedy-mystery film featuring John Candy as the title character.Paul Flaherty directed the film, which co-stars Annie Potts, Jeffrey Jones and Shawnee Smith...
, Desperate HoursDesperate HoursDesperate Hours is a 1990 remake of the 1955 William Wyler crime drama of the same title. Both films are based on the novel by Joseph Hayes, who also co-wrote the script for this movie with Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal...
, BeckerBecker (TV series)Becker is an American television sitcom that ran from 1998 to 2004 on CBS. Set in the New York City borough of The Bronx, the show starred Ted Danson as John Becker, a misanthropic doctor who operates a small practice and is constantly annoyed by his patients, co-workers, friends, and practically...
and most recently, the SawSaw (film series)Saw is a horror franchise distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment and produced by Twisted Pictures that consists of seven films and two video games, published by Konami. The franchise began with the 2003 short film which was created by Australian director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell...
series.
According to Robert Osbourne of Turner Classic Movies
Turner Classic Movies
Turner Classic Movies is a movie-oriented cable television channel, owned by the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary of Time Warner, featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and MGM, United Artists, RKO and Warner Bros. film libraries...
, Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore
Drew Blyth Barrymore is an American actress, film director, screenwriter, producer and model. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was 11 months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered...
had auditioned for the role of Annie while Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
was an early choice for Miss Hannigan, and Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
had been considered for the role of Daddy Warbucks.
Musical numbers
- "TomorrowTomorrow (1977 song)"Tomorrow" is a song from the musical Annie, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, published in 1977.-Production history in the musical:...
" - Annie - "Maybe" - Annie
- "Hard-Knock Life" - Annie, Orphans
- "Dumb Dog" - Annie
- "Sandy" - Annie, Orphans
- "I Think I'm Going To Like It Here" - Grace, Annie, Warbucks' Staff
- "Little Girls" - Miss Hannigan
- "Maybe" - Pepper, July, Duffy, Tessie, Kate
- "Let's Go to the Movies" - Annie, Warbucks, Grace, Chorus
- "We Got Annie" - Grace, Mrs. Pugh, Punjab, Asp, Servants
- "Sign" - Warbucks, Miss Hannigan
- "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" - Bert, Boylan Sisters
- "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Reprise)" - Orphans
- "Easy Street" - Rooster, Lily, Miss Hannigan
- "Tomorrow (White House Version)" - Annie, Warbucks, Mrs. Roosevelt FDR
- "Maybe (Reprise)" - Warbucks
- "Finale (I Don't Need Anything But You / We Got Annie / Tomorrow)" - Annie, Warbucks, Company
Production
Ray Stark
Ray Stark was an American film producer and powerbroker known for his Machiavellian ways.While putting together the Broadway musical Funny Girl - the highly fictionalized account of the life of his mother-in-law, Fanny Brice - its producer David Merrick took Stark and his wife to see an unknown...
, wanted both John Huston
John Huston
John Marcellus Huston was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics: The Maltese Falcon , The Treasure of the Sierra Madre , Key Largo , The Asphalt Jungle , The African Queen , Moulin Rouge...
and Joe Layton
Joe Layton
Joe Layton was an American director and choreographer known primarily for his work on Broadway.-Biography:Born Joseph Lichtman in Brooklyn, New York, Layton began his career as a dancer in Wonderful Town , and he appeared uncredited in the ensemble of the original live TV production of Rodgers and...
while working as the director and choreographer respectively, to also be executive producer on the film, because it was too large an enterprise for one person. Carol Sobieski
Carol Sobieski
Carol Sobieski was an American screenwriter whose work included the scripts for Annie and Fried Green Tomatoes .-Early life:...
, the screenwriter said: "Hiring John [Huston] is an outsider risk, and Ray's [Stark] a major gambler. He loves this kind of high risk situation."
It was planned that the staging for the song "Easy Street", with Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett
Carol Creighton Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, dancer and writer. Burnett started her career in New York. After becoming a hit on Broadway, she made her television debut...
, Tim Curry
Tim Curry
Timothy James "Tim" Curry is a British actor, singer, composer and voice actor, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California....
, and Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters is an American actress, singer and children's book author from Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Over the course of a career that has spanned five decades, she has starred in musical theatre, films and television, as well as performing in solo concerts and recordings...
, would be the biggest number in the film. A special outdoor street set, costing $1 million, was built, and it took over one week to shoot the scene. However, the final number was thought to be "overstuffed" and "sour". Nearly two months after the film had finished shooting, an indoor, more intimate, number was shot.
The production filmed for six weeks at Monmouth University
Monmouth University
Monmouth University is a private university located in West Long Branch, New Jersey, United States.Founded in 1933 as Monmouth Junior College, it became Monmouth College in 1956, and later Monmouth University in 1995 after receiving its charter....
in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, which has two mansions that were used in the film one of which is the Shadow Lawn Mansion, now known as Woodrow Wilson Hall
Shadow Lawn (New Jersey)
Shadow Lawn is a building in West Long Branch, New Jersey, United States. It was built in 1927 for Hubert T. Parsons, president of the F.W. Woolworth Company. Parsons was financially ruined by the Great Depression and the house was sold in 1939 for $100...
. An abandoned railroad bridge over the Passaic River
Passaic River
The Passaic River is a mature surface river, approximately 80 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey,...
in Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
was used for location shooting of one of the climatic scenes
Stage to screen differences
There were major differences between the stage musical and the film. The film featured four new songs, "Dumb Dog", "Let's Go to the Movies" (which replaced "N.Y.C."), "Sign", and "We Got Annie", and cut "We'd like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover", "N.Y.C", "You Won't Be an Orphan for Long", "Something Was Missing", "Annie", and "A New Deal for Christmas". In addition, the song "Maybe" has two reprises while "Little Girls" and "Easy Street" do not.In the stage musical, Hannigan, Rooster, and Lily are caught at the Warbucks estate, thus their plan to kidnap Annie fails as they are arrested by the President's secret service. In the movie, Annie is kidnapped, leading to Warbucks organizing a citywide search and while escaping, Rooster chases her up the B&O
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
Bridge. Miss Hannigan's heart softens and she also attempts to rescue Annie from being killed by Rooster, but he knocks her out and continues the chase. Eventually, Punjab rescues Annie by autocopter and returns her safely at the end. Miss Hannigan is then shown joining in the celebration at the end of the movie and showing a possible romantic interest in Punjab.
The scene used for the "Maybe" song was the last scene filmed for the movie, because the original opening was too long. Although the "Maybe" song was still used, Annie and Molly are sitting at the window; however, this scene was still inserted into the film, only the last part with the rest of the orphans singing, after the "Little Girls" scene and the scene with Rooster and Lily's entry, during Annie's first night at the Warbucks estate.
Punjab and The Asp, Warbucks' servants/bodyguards from the comic strip, are brought back for this film in supporting roles.
The setting was moved from Christmas to Fourth of July.
Critical reception
The film received generally mixed reviews from critics, and despite grossing $57 million in the United States (making it the 10th highest grossing film of 1982), the film still did not turn a profit on its theatrical release. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score. Additionally, Carol Burnett and Aileen Quinn received Golden Globe AwardGolden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
nominations for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical (both) and New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Female (Quinn). Quinn won the Young Artist Award, Best Young Motion Picture Actress.
Home video
This film was released on VHS on April 5, 1983 by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video. It was re-issued in 1985, 1994, and 1997 (in a "Broadway Tribute Edition" to coincide with the original play's Broadway revival that year). There were two widescreen laserdiscs, one in 1989 and another in 1994. The film was released in a widescreen DVD on December 12, 2000.A "Special Anniversary Edition" DVD was released on January 13, 2004 (four days before producer Ray Stark's death). Despite the fact that the first DVD was widescreen, the DVD was in pan and scan (but with DTS sound). Reviewing the disc for DVD Talk
DVD Talk
DVD Talk is a website for DVD enthusiasts founded in January 1999 by Geoffrey Kleinman when DVDs and DVD players were first beginning to hit the market.The site started as an online forum, an email newsletter, and a page of DVD news and reviews...
, Glenn Erickson
Glenn Erickson
Glenn Erickson is an American film editor and film critic. He started in the film industry in 1975 as an editor of low budget films and later worked in minor technical crew capacities in such major films as Close Encounters of the Third Kind and 1941...
, while praising the film overall, called the pan and scan transfer an "abomination that's grainy and lacking in color." He also noted that the short retrospective featurette with Ms. Quinn contained clips from the film in the correct aspect ratio. Erickson also called the music video of "It's the Hard-Knock Life" by Play
Play (band)
Play was a Swedish pop girl group, consisting of, in total, seven young women. Faye Hamlin, Anna Sundstrand, Anaïs Lameche, and Rosie Munter formed Play's original line-up from the band's formation from 2001 until late 2003. After founding member Faye left the group, fifth member Janet Leon joined...
"pretty dreary" and attacked the other, child-oriented extras by saying "Musicals and kids' films aren't just for tots ... and this disc is little more than a headache." http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/9221/annie-1982/ However, several countries in Region 2 received widescreen versions of this edition including the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Awards
Won- Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardThe Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
1981–1982- Best Young Motion Picture Actress - Aileen Quinn
- Razzie Award
- Worst Supporting Actress - Aileen Quinn
Nominated
- Academy AwardsAcademy AwardsAn Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
- Best Art Direction-Set Decoration - Dale HennesyDale HennesyDale Hennesy was an American art director. He won an Academy Award and was nominated for two more in the category Best Art Direction.-Selected filmography:...
and Marvin MarchMarvin MarchMarvin March is an American set decorator. He has been nominated for five Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction.-Selected filmography:March has been nominated for five Academy Awards for Best Art Direction:* Addams Family Values... - Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score - Ralph Burns
- Best Art Direction-Set Decoration - Dale Hennesy
- Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardThe Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
1981–1982- Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture—Toni Ann Gisondi
- Hollywood Foreign Press AssociationHollywood Foreign Press AssociationThe Hollywood Foreign Press Association is an organization composed of working journalists who cover the United States film industry for a variety of outlets, including newspapers and magazines in Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America. Today, the 90 members of the HFPA represent at least 55...
- Best Actress, Musical/Comedy - Carol Burnett
- Best Actress, Musical/Comedy - Aileen Quinn
- Best New Artist of the Year, Female - Aileen Quinn
Annie: A Royal Adventure! (1995)
A sequelSequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
, Annie: A Royal Adventure! was made for television and aired on ABC on November 18, 1995. The sequel starred Ashley Johnson
Ashley Johnson
Ashley Suzanne Johnson is an American actress, best known for her two-season role as Chrissy Seaver in the TV show Growing Pains, and for her voice work in television series such as Teen Titans and Ben 10 Alien Force....
, Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
, George Hearn
George Hearn
George Hearn is an American actor and singer, primarily in Broadway musical theatre.-Early years:Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Hearn studied philosophy at Southwestern at Memphis, now Rhodes College before he embarked on a career in the theater, training for the stage with actress turned acting...
, and Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid is a Scottish theatre actor and director, who has also made sporadic appearances on film and television.McDiarmid has had a successful career in theatre; he has been cast in many plays, while occasionally directing others and although he has appeared mostly in theatrical productions,...
. Aside from a reprise of "Tomorrow," there are no songs in the film.
In the film, Warbucks (Hearn), Annie (Johnson), an eccentric scientist (McDonalds) and one of the orphans travel to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where Warbucks is to be knighted by the King. However, the kids get mixed up in the scheme of an evil noblewoman (Collins) to blow up Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
while all the heirs to the throne are present for Warbucks' knighting, thus making her queen.
Annie (1999)
A made-for-TV movie version was broadcast on ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
on November 7, 1999, starring Kathy Bates
Kathy Bates
Kathleen Doyle "Kathy" Bates is an American actress and director.After several small roles in film and television, Bates rose to prominence with her performance in Misery , for which she won both the Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe...
as Miss Hannigan, Victor Garber
Victor Garber
Victor Joseph Garber is a Canadian film, stage and television actor and singer. Garber is known for playing Jesus in Godspell, Jack Bristow in the television series Alias, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, and Thomas Andrews in James Cameron's Titanic.-Early life:Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Garber is...
as Daddy Warbucks, Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming, OBE is a Scottish stage, television and film actor, singer, writer, director, producer and author. His roles have included the Emcee in Cabaret, Boris Grishenko in GoldenEye, Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United, Mr. Elton in Emma, and Fegan Floop in the Spy Kids trilogy...
as Rooster Hannigan, Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald
Audra Ann McDonald is an American actress and singer. She currently stars in the ABC television drama Private Practice as Dr. Naomi Bennett. She has appeared on the stage in both musicals and dramas, such as Ragtime and A Raisin in the Sun...
as Grace Farrell, Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth is an American singer and actress, with credits in musical theatre, film and television. She is best known on Broadway for her performance as Sally Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown , for which she won a Tony Award, and for originating the role of Glinda in the musical...
as Lily St. Regis, and newcomer Alicia Morton
Alicia Morton
Alicia Morton is an American actress and singer.-Biography:Morton started singing when she was 18 months old. When she was 6, she played Molly in Annie at her school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was 7 when she landed the part of young Cosette in Broadway's Les Misérables in 1996. Costar Ricky...
as Annie. Produced by The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
in association with Columbia TriStar Television
Columbia TriStar Television
Columbia TriStar Television was the third name of the television studio Screen Gems, named after its then-current 1991 home video division....
, the movie received generally positive reviews and high ratings. It also earned 2 Emmy Awards and a 1999 George Foster Peabody Award. Although truer to the original stage musical than the 1982 movie, it condensed much of the full story in an attempt to make it more viewable for children. It featured a special appearance by Andrea McArdle
Andrea McArdle
Andrea McArdle is an American singer and actress best known for playing Annie in the Broadway musical Annie, as well as for her alto range and strong vocal belt.-Career:She was born in Philadelphia...
, star of the original Broadway production.
The film has aired on cable on Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
, ABC Family
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
, and Starz after its premiere on ABC. Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
, which had aired the original 1982 version of Annie, has not aired the 1999 version, but will do in the future.
This version is more comical than the 1982 version's slightly darker tone.
Other versions
The Hindi movie, King Uncle, starring Jackie Shroff, Shahrukh Khan, Anu Agarwal, and Naghma, is loosely based on this movie, especially the storyline of the orphan who melts the heart of a rich man.On January 20, 2011 it was announced that Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
was planning to produce a remake of Annie and it would star his daughter Willow Smith
Willow Smith
Willow Camille Reign Smith , often known simply as Willow, is an American child actress and singer. She is the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and the younger sister of Jaden Smith. Smith made her acting debut in 2007 in the film I Am Legend and later appeared in Kit Kittredge: An...
in the title role. Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
is also in talks to provide the music for the film though no word yet if he will re-create the original soundtrack or write new music for the film.