Annie (1981)
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50% of critics liked it
(24 reviews) -
64% of users liked it
(345,880 ratings)
This family classic is adapted from the Broadway musical, which was based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie. During the Great Depression in New York City, a plucky red-haired scrapper named Annie (Aileen Quinn) is the voice of hope for her fellow orphans who live under the supervision of… More This family classic is adapted from the Broadway musical, which was based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie. During the Great Depression in New York City, a plucky red-haired scrapper named Annie (Aileen Quinn) is the voice of hope for her fellow orphans who live under the supervision of drunken floozy Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). Annie's spirit is fueled by the belief that her real parents dropped her off at the orphanage with a half of a locket, promising to return for her with the other half. One day, the dingy orphanage is visited by the sophisticated Grace Farrell (Ann Reinking), personal secretary to conservative politician Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney). In order to improve his image, Grace brings Annie to the Warbucks estate for a weeklong visit. Annie quickly wins the hearts of servants and politicians alike, eventually even bringing her song of hope, "Tomorrow," to President Roosevelt in Washington. Warbucks and Grace even go so far as to perform a public search for Annie's parents, creating an opportunity for Miss Hannigan, Rooster (Tim Curry), and Lily (Bernadette Peters) to scam their way to the reward money. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Huston
- Written By
- Thomas Meehan, Carol Sobieski
- Genres
- Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy
G,
- In Theaters
- Jun 18, 1982 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The movie offers an insulting 'let them eat cake' gesture toward the 1982 audience, but the pacing is so ragged and the characters so lifeless that few will be able to stay awake long enough to feel offended.
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, Variety
Many people said John Huston was an odd choice to direct Annie and he proves them right.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The songs never take off into anything very much, the whole atmosphere (apart from the climax) is distinctly stagebound, and Huston merely reveals why he had never before in his long career been hired to make a musical.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's like some kind of dumb toy that doesn't do anything or go anywhere, but it is fun to watch as it spins mindlessly around and around.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
They don't build movies like this anymore.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Cast
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Albert Finney
as Daddy Warbucks
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Carol Burnett
as Miss Hannigan
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Aileen Quinn
as Annie
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Ann Reinking
as Grace Farrell
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Bernadette Peters
as Lily
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Tim Curry
as Rooster Hannigan
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Geoffrey Holder
as Punjab
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Roger Minami
as Asp
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Edward Herrmann
as Franklin D. Roosevelt
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Toni Ann Gisondi
as Molly
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Rosanne Sorrentino
as Pepper
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Lara Berk
as Tessie
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April Lerman
as Kate
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Lucie Stewart
as Duffy
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Robin Ignico
as July
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Lois De Banzie
as Eleanor Roosevelt
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Loni Ackerman
as Boylan Sister
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Larry Hankin
as Pound Man
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I.M. Hobson
as Drake
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Lu Leonard
as Mrs. Pugh
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Peter Marshall
as Bert Healy
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Irving Metzman
as Bundles
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Cherie Michan
as Dancer
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Amanda Peterson
as Dancer
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Sandy
as Himself
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Shawnee Smith
as Dancer
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Ken Swofford
as Weasel
- Robert Guerra
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Murphy Cross
as Boylan Sister
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Jerome Collamore
as Frick
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Jon Richards
as Frack
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Kurtis Epper Sanders
as Spike
- Victor Griffin
