Annie Oakley

I never understand why some criticism this action-fun-show, maybe it's NO ZORRO or THE LONE RANGER, but if it helped young girls feel more confident in themselves and it took you away from the worlds problems for 30 minutes or longer, than it did a good job Gail Davis in real life was truely good with a gun n could ride a horse better than most, not her fault those who wrote her lines were no Shakespear. I found it a very enjoyable show one must remember it was made in the 1950's NOT 2020!!.. maybe Lofty could be replaced by a better actor like Lee Van Cleft or Gene Evans or even Phil Harvey! But overall the series is decent and has a good moral lesson after each episode.

Let me start out by saying that this show had absolutely nothing to do with the life and times of the real Annie Oakley. The real Annie was an honest to God deadly markswoman, but who was born and raised in the Wild West of Ohio. I'm not sure where the television Annie did her exploits in the Hollywood Never Never Land of the Old West, but it was definitely west of the Mississippi. Possibly in Colorado because.....

Annie was the niece of the sheriff who we never saw. One of the things I remember about this series was that several times the excuse why the sheriff wasn't around was that he was 'delivering a prisoner to Denver'. Hence I assume that's where the Oakleys resided.

Gail Davis played Annie. I still remember her in those cowgirl outfits in rather juvenile looking pigtails. The fashion may have been some of Dale Evans's castoffs, but it was deliberately so because this wholesome girl in pigtails fooled many an outlaw into not taking her seriously to their regret. Gail Davis was Gene Autry's leading lady in several of his later westerns and he managed her career.

The sheriff left his deputy, Lofty Craig as played by Brad Johnson. Given the mores of the Fifties, Lofty was always in trouble and every week the law needed the assistance of sharpshooting Annie.

If Lofty wasn't in trouble it was her brother Tagg. Tagg was played by Jimmy Hawkins who is probably best known as one of the Bailey children from It's A Wonderful Life. Annie was constantly coming to his aid.

I'm sure a whole generation of feminists saw Annie Oakley as kids and saw a woman could compete in a man's world most successfully. As did the real Annie Oakley in her career.

One of those kids who saw and liked Annie Oakley was my sister Nancy who's no longer with us as is Gail Davis. And this review is dedicated to a show she was crazy about as a child.

The kid was annoying but what kid isn't? Its like OMG and he's on here why? The fake fight scenes its like whenever someone was getting ready to fight its like okay fast-forward. Glad the collection i bought had subtitles. The chick was annoying but i hate women & kids. Yeah 35 year old woman, i can't stand either. She was annoying too. I bought the series for a couple of reasons. I thought i'd like Brad Johnson. No. He had the hots for Annie or Gail and it was sickening. Its like okay we know what you're doing. I got it for LQ Jones, Slim Pickens, and gorgeous Angel Eyes Van Cleef and of course so sweet Glenn Strange. Forgot how good he looks in black.

I read that Gene Autry originally did not want her for the part. Unbelievable! I read that the sponsors passed on the first pilot Bullseye, which was as good or better than any other episode. Again, unbelievable! I read that Gene Autry originally did not want her for the part. Unbelievable! I read that the sponsors passed on the first pilot Bullseye, which was as good or better than any other episode. Again, unbelievable!

For the most part - I thought that this vintage TV Western from the mid-1950s was quite an entertaining view all around.

Of course, I had to be willing to cut this show some slack at times in order to fully appreciate what it had to offer me. But, with that said - I found that my overall enjoyment while watching "Annie Oakley" was not at all reduced to the point of boredom.

And, what I'd also like to add here is to say that what helped to elevate the amusement-factor of "Annie Oakley" to its above-average status was that its 3 principal characters (Annie, Lofty, and Tagg) were actually quite a pleasant and likable trio who certainly did their best to make the role of fair and honest law-enforcement their top priority.

Anyway - When it comes to recommending "Annie Oakley" to other like-minded viewers - I certainly don't hesitate at all about voicing my enthusiastic approval.