Annie Get Your Gun

US (1950): Musical/Comedy/Western

The 1950 production of Annie Get Your Gun was of immediate interest to filmgoers for who would inherit the role Ethel Merman had made famous on Broadway in 1946. MGM originally cast Judy Garland, but her ongoing drug and alcohol problems led to her being fired and replaced by Betty Hutton. Fortunately, the bright and brassy Hutton sparkles in this highly fictionalized story of Annie Oakley, the sharpshooter who wins fame in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and wins the heart of fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler (Howard Keel). Dashing baritone Keel was beginning his career as one of MGM's favorite leading men in the 1950s. Together they make gold of the many Irving Berlin hits -- "Doin' What Comes Naturally," "Anything You Can Do," "They Say It's Wonderful," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," and the classic anthem "There's No Business Like Show Business."

The cast also includes Louis Calhern (as Buffalo Bill -- Frank Morgan died suddenly and his scenes had to be reshot), J. Carrol Naish (as Sitting Bull), Edward Arnold (as Pawnee Bill), Keenan Wynn (as Charley Davenport), Benay Venuta (as Dolly Tate -- a part originally given to Geraldine Wall) and Clinton Sundberg (as Foster Wilson). Original director Busby Berkeley was replaced by Charles Walters, who was replaced himself by George Sidney. Walters did not know that he'd been fired until he heard gossip columnist Hedda Hopper announce it on the radio. Sidney received the film's sole directing credit.

Annie Get Your Gun is unquestionably a product of the 1950s. Keel's relentless chauvinism and Hutton's constant fawning over him grow tiresome (though she does stand up to him in a battle of the sexes), and the Indians wear full headdresses and face paint, say "Ugh," and destroy modern conveniences. (In the name of political correctness, the 1999 Broadway revival starring Bernadette Peters removed "I'm an Indian Too" and received its own share of criticism from purists.) Quibbles aside, the excellent cast and immortal score make Annie Get Your Gun a classic musical. It was finally released by Warner Home Video in a special 50th anniversary edition. (Amazon.com)

 Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for Annie Get Your Gun on TCM.com.

4 nominations, 1 Award