Annie Get Your Gun Intro with Susan Lucci

On the VHS tape of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, this was a nice introduction by SUSAN LUCCI to the MGM film starring Betty Hutton and Howard Keel.

Susan gives a little background first, on the show's title character Annie Oakley and her famous tours with Buffalo Bill and Frank Butler. Then she talks about the stage version that was a huge success with Ethel Merman on Broadway.

Finally, she gets to the troubled beginnings of the MGM version which was to star JUDY GARLAND and HOWARD KEEL. All sorts of production problems cropped up unexpectedly. FRANK MORGAN (Buffalo Bill) died after completing a couple of scenes and had to be replaced by LOUIS CALHERN. Then Howard Keel broke his leg and had to spend time in a cast while it healed and scenes were shot around him. Then Judy Garland began behaving temperamentally, obviously not feeling well enough to perform. Two of her numbers are shown, "Doin' What Comes Naturally" and "I'm an Indian Too". Both are dismal.

In both numbers, she appears gaunt and slightly unfocused. Nor is the choreography for the Indian number anything like the one that Betty Hutton ended up doing. Susan Lucci had earlier commented that this Indian number was cut from the revival of the Broadway show in the '90s because it was considered "politically incorrect". It turned out to be one of Hutton's peak moments in the film, demonstrating her comic talent.

At any rate, Judy's performance on both numbers is lacking in spirit, although her voice sounds strong enough. She seems to be just going through the paces and looks thoroughly worn out. Shortly afterwards, she was fired and replaced by Hutton.

Then, after both clips are shown, Susan introduces the MGM film starring Hutton and Keel.

An interesting way to begin the movie, informative and entertaining.

Before the movie on the 2000 DVD, then current star-Susan Lucci of the revival of "Annie Get Your Gun" intros from five floors up the Marquis Theatre where she was playing the title character. She then mentions a little of Annie Oakley's life with authentic pics of her and Frank Butler provided on screen. Then she mentions the previous straight film version with Barbara Stanwyck before segueing to the original musical starring Ethel Merman. She then mentions initial star Judy Garland's participation as we see photos of her with, I think, toddler Liza Minnelli and then her costume photos before showing her outtakes of "Doin' What Comes Naturally" and "I'm an Indian, Too". We also see a photo of Frank Morgan as Buffalo Bill before he died suddenly and was replaced by Louis Calhern. The whole thing was fascinating to watch and Ms. Lucci was a fine host for this. This provided a perfect segue to the movie...

Irving Berlin's musical numbers are simply excellent, outstanding, up-beat. One can see why this is a perennial favorite of High School thespians.

The weakest part of the movie is Betty Hutton's acting--non acting--way over the top, cartoonish. Who ever gave her that direction must be blamed for a very inadequate interpretation. While it is true that Annie was unsophisticated, one hates to believe that she was so incompetent in her ability to control her emotions/admiration for Frank Butler. Would Annie Oakley have thrown a contest so she could get the man of her dreams? Maybe yes, maybe no. The cartoonish interpretation wants the viewer to believe she would. Reality of sports competitors suggests something different.

PBS has an excellent documentary on Annie Oakely's life. She was an immensely talented sharpshooter in a man's world. Her talent was recognized by Frank Butler, Buffalo Bill, and an adoring public. By and large, the film provides an accurate interpretation of Annie Oakley, by Hollywood standards, given Hollywood's penchant for gaga.

The movie should be remade for the music alone but also for the topic of Annie Oakely. Someone suggested Demi Moore. But whoever, the acting ought not be so over the top. As always, a comedic role played straight is most effective.