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39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Look out world ! Here comes the "real" Annie, September 25, 2000
This review is from: Annie Get Your Gun (50th Anniversary Special Edition) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Annie wannabe's, here is the standard to which you strive for. Unfortunately for all of us, she's been locked away in the MGM vaults for the last 50 years. But, if I know Annie, she's coming back, better than ever ! Musical lovers under 50, are you in for a treat. Forget all that you've heard about Judy Garland, and her sad exit from Metro while working on this picture. About Louis B. Mayer begging Hal Wallis at Paramount to loan MGM his hugely popular star, Betty Hutton. About the cold shoulder Betty recieved from cast and crew on the "Annie" set. None of it affects the stunningly exciting final product. THIS IS A GREAT MUSICAL ! The score is as good (or better) than any you've ever heard. Songs you'll remember, and be singing, for the rest of your life. Hopefully we'll be seeing a totally restored version, which means the glorious Technicolor will dazzle you. The young Howard Keel makes his MGM debut here, and will knock you out. Louis Calhern is perfect as Wm. F.(Buffalo Bill) Cody, certainly larger-than-life ! But , this is Betty Hutton's movie, from start to finish. I've always considered it her crowning achievement. It's big, brash, beautiful, funny, and above all, it's FUN !
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39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Annie Get This Movie!, February 27, 2001
This review is from: Annie Get Your Gun (50th Anniversary Special Edition) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Finally available on video and DVD, Annie Get Your Gun is a wonderful movie musical like they don't make any more. The color, the production, the performances, and the music are terrific. Betty Hutton is perfect as Annie. Giving a performance closer in style to Ethel Merman's, perhaps, but Hutton truly makes the role her own. As Frank Butler, Howard Keel is in fine voice and matches Hutton's strong screen presence. I know it's not politically correct to like the way the Indians are depicted or the "I'm an Indian Too" number, but I do. The humor isn't mean spirited, nor are the Indians portrayed as total goons. In fact, J. Carrol Naish makes a pretty wise Chief Sitting Bull, helping Annie win the heart of Butler. Louis Calhern and Edward Arnold are perfect as the competing showmen Buffalo Bill and Pawnee Bill respectively. Keenan Wynn rounds out the supporting cast as Buffalo Bill's assistant, Charlie Davenport. Besides the great score and cast, the movie contains some beautiful color cinematography. There is a great shot from the air as Annie and Frank compete in skeet shooting that is truly amazing. A great example of what Hollywood was capable of producing during the old studio system, Annie Get Your Gun is sure to please most viewers. And if you're a Betty Hutton fan, you're in for a treat. She's terrific. Both video and DVD versions contain footage not included in the final cut; two musical numbers with Judy Garland (originally cast as Annie) and Frank Morgan as Buffalo Bill (he died before filming was complete and had to be replaced by Calhern). A must for fans of movie musicals.
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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ANNIE'S Lovely to Look at!, October 31, 2000
After waiting a lifetime it seems to see this film and also having heard the Betty and Judy versions of the soundtrack but never seeing the performances. I must say that I am so happy to have finally seen Betty Hutton in the newly restored edition of "Annie Get your Gun" and also put to rest any resentment I or anyone else may have had about her playing Annie. SHE IS BRILLIANT! Her acting and singing is great and her emotional connection with the charater is really there. That first time she is in a scene with Howard Keel and he's singing the song "The Girl that I Marry" whatch Betty's eyes well up when her character Annie realizes she isn't even in the game. It's great acting for such a fluff part. Which proves that clearly Betty was the best person to play Annie at the time. Garland was undoubtedly the greatest film musical star ever committed to film but was unfortunately miscast and I believe knew it and undermined herself to the point of being fired. In her own mind she must have known it wasn't for her. At this point in her career she was far too elegant and refined to pull it off and more interested in dramatic things. Betty on the other hand has that tomboyish quality that was perfect for such a physically demanding role. I really do believe that Betty did suffer on the set from co-workers who wanted Garland, from stories I've heard over the years from people who worked on the film. So when she was interviewed by Robert Osborne recently on TCM and mentioned the controversy I was not surprised at all. I just wish the men involved who are still around today would admit the way they treated her and apologize publicly. No spoilers here. Just watch the film and enjoy. With the film newly restored and sound enhanced you can't help but love every bit of this film. The outtakes are a revelation and further prove MGM made the right decision in casting Betty. And now a new generation can enjoy Betty at her peak and see what made her one of films greatest musical stars!
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