Annie (1999) (TV)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Rob Marshall

Writers (WGA):

Irene Mecchi (teleplay)
Thomas Meehan (book)

Release Date:

7 November 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

The Music. The Memories. The Magic.

Plot:

Eleven-year-old Annie has been living in an orphanage her whole life run by cruel Miss Hannigan. After unsuccessful escape attempts...

Plot Keywords:

Orphan | Based On Stage Musical | Broadway Musical | 1930s | Kidnapping

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 8 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Kathy Bates	...	Miss Agatha Hannigan
Victor Garber	...	Oliver Warbucks
Alan Cumming	...	Daniel Francis "Rooster" Hannigan
Audra McDonald	...	Miss Grace Farrell
Kristin Chenoweth	...	Lily St. Regis
Erin Adams	...	Tessie
Sarah Hyland	...	Molly
Lalaine	...	Kate
Nanea Miyata	...	July
Marissa Rago	...	Pepper
Danelle Wilson	...	Duffy
Andrea McArdle	...	Star-To-Be
Alicia Morton	...	Annie
Dennis Howard	...	F.D.R.
Douglas Fisher	...	Drake

Runtime:

USA:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:Not Rated (DVD rating) | Australia:G | Germany:o.Al. | UK:U | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Chris Montan Productions

Trivia:

Among the deletions from the script in this version were: - Four songs, including the original title song, "Annie" - A subplot involving Sandy, who goes missing in the original musical - The White House "Tomorrow" reprise, which was replaced by a scene involving Grace Farrell and Annie - The ending was subtly changed so that Miss Hannigan portrays Mrs. Mudge instead of Lily St. Regis.

Goofs:

Continuity: The location of McGillicutty's Tavern moves. As the truck drives away with Annie in the laundry, it shows the tavern as being down the road to the right of the orphanage, whereas at the end of "Easy Street" when Rooster, Miss Hannigan and Lily dance down the road and into the tavern, it is to the left of the orphanage.

Quotes:

Lily: Oliver Warbucks... the millionaire?
Miss Hannigan: No, the billionaire, you dumb hotel.

Movie Connections:

Featured in ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003) (TV)

Soundtrack:

I Don't Need Anything But You

superb - wish it had been longer!

This adaption of "Annie" is an excellent piece of film making. The casting,

direction, writing, choreography all come together in perfect balance to entertain people of all ages.

My only wish is that budget and time constraints would have allowed for the

entire original story and score to remain in tact. The Hooverville / "We'd Like to Thank You Mr. Hoover" sequence in the original stage musical was perfect in

showing the effects of the depression, as well as giving us the introduction to Sandy. I only hope that future TV musicals allow the time for the full production, much like the 1993 version of "Gypsy" starring Bette Midler.

I've noticed that some people have commented about the multi-racial casting

and how secretary Grace would never have been a black woman. Historically,

this is most likely correct, but again let's keep in mind that this is musical theatre and for people to just start singing with invisible musicians isn't very realistic either. I'm glad to see that Audra MacDonald was cast because she has the

perfect acting skills, personality and voice to play Grace. Even though many of these stories are traditionally "white", the ability to cast multi-ethnic roles only enriches the piece and is completely appropriate in our modern society.