{"id":6468,"date":"2009-04-06T10:06:51","date_gmt":"2009-04-06T17:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=6468"},"modified":"2025-05-31T20:33:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T03:33:29","slug":"annie-1982","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=6468","title":{"rendered":"Annie (1982)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[<strong>Note:<\/strong> The following review is of a non-<em>Guide for the Film Fanatic<\/em>  title; click <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=4388\">here<\/a> to read more.]<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Why any kid would want to be an orphan is beyond me&#8230;&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Poster-196x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-98833\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Poster-196x300.png 196w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Poster-669x1024.png 669w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Poster-84x128.png 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Poster-176x270.png 176w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Poster.png 731w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nDuring the Great Depression, a plucky orphan named Annie (Aileen Quinn) is rescued from the clutches of her evil caretaker (Carol Burnett) by the secretary (Ann Reinking) of a crusty billionaire (Albert Finney), who agrees to help her find her long-lost parents &#8212; but Annie&#8217;s life is put in danger when a pair of con-artists (Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters) collude with Miss Hannigan (Burnett) to nab the $50,000 award offered by Daddy Warbucks (Finney).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Albert Finney Films<\/li>\n<li>Carol Burnett Films<\/li>\n<li>Con-Artists<\/li>\n<li>Depression Era<\/li>\n<li>John Huston Films<\/li>\n<li>Millionaires<\/li>\n<li>Musicals<\/li>\n<li>Orphans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nJohn Huston&#8217;s mega-million-dollar film adaptation of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.broadwaymusicalhome.com\/shows\/annie.htm\">the long-running Broadway musical <em>Annie<\/em><\/a> received decidedly mixed reviews upon its release, with Vincent Canby of the NY Times calling it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1982\/05\/21\/movies\/huston-s-annie-makes-its-lavish-debut.html\">&#8220;a nearly perfect Music Hall picture &#8212; big, colorful, slightly vulgar, occasionally boring and full of talent not always used to its limits&#8221;<\/a>, and Roger Ebert noting that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/annie-1982\">&#8220;in the abstract, [it&#8217;s] fun&#8230; but in the particular, it has all sorts of problems&#8221;<\/a>. Even those who adored <em>Annie<\/em> as children &#8212; and can break into any one of its catchy tunes without missing a beat &#8212; generally concede that it&#8217;s a flawed picture; it&#8217;s currently rated <a href=\"http:\/\/www.metacritic.com\/video\/titles\/annie\">at only 36 points on Metacritic<\/a> (<strong>Update as of 1\/30\/21:<\/strong> 39 points), and director John Huston (this was his one and only foray into musicals) was nominated for a Razzie! Perhaps not surprisingly, <em>Annie<\/em> is missing from Peary&#8217;s book &#8212; but I&#8217;m reviewing it here simply because it&#8217;s achieved such a cult status over the years. <\/p>\n<p>Unknown (then and now) Aileen Quinn was selected among thousands of applicants for the lead role, and does a memorable job; her voice is strong and clear, and while she&#8217;s no great actress, she projects just the right amount of spunk and vitality. (Note, however, that she won a Razzie as worst supporting actress of the year.) <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn-1024x425.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-67212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn-1024x425.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn-768x318.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn-1536x637.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn-604x250.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Quinn.png 1845w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Film fanatics will likely enjoy seeing both bald-pated Albert Finney as the crusty yet malleable Daddy Warbucks, and Carol Burnett&#8217;s hilariously over-the-top performance as Miss Hannigan (my favorite moment: Hannigan drunkenly takes a sip of water from a vase full of flowers). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase-1024x426.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase-1024x426.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase-1536x639.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase-604x251.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Drinking-Vase.png 1829w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And the story itself remains undeniably seductive: what kid &#8212; orphan or not &#8212; wouldn&#8217;t want to be adopted by the wealthiest person in the world? <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Among those considered for the key roles in <em>Annie<\/em> were Bette Midler as Miss Hannigan, Jack Nicholson as Daddy Warbucks, and Drew Barrymore as Annie herself. Interestingly, any one of these possibilities seems like a plausible choice. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney-1024x422.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"264\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney-1024x422.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney-1536x634.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney-604x249.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Finney.png 1835w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2-1024x429.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"268\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2-1024x429.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2-768x322.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2-1536x644.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2-604x253.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Burnett2.png 1821w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A catchy roster of tunes<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2-1024x420.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"263\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2-1024x420.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2-300x123.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2-128x52.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2-768x315.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2-1536x629.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2-604x248.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/Annie-Hard-Knock2.png 1835w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, simply as a cult favorite. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0083564\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1982\/05\/21\/movies\/huston-s-annie-makes-its-lavish-debut.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/annie-1982\">Roger Ebert&#8217;s Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.time.com\/time\/magazine\/article\/0,9171,953528,00.html\">Time Magazine&#8217;s Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tcm.com\/thismonth\/article\/?cid=189033&#038;rss=mrqe\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/film\/reviews\/78043\/annie.html\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[Note: The following review is of a non-Guide for the Film Fanatic title; click here to read more.] &#8220;Why any kid would want to be an orphan is beyond me&#8230;&#8221; Synopsis: During the Great Depression, a plucky orphan named Annie (Aileen Quinn) is rescued from the clutches of her evil caretaker (Carol Burnett) by the secretary (Ann Reinking) of a crusty billionaire (Albert Finney), who agrees to help her find her long-lost parents &#8212; but Annie&#8217;s life is put in&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=6468\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6468"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98835,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468\/revisions\/98835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}