Edgar Allan Pooh
. . . thoughtful viewers may wonder after taking in ANNIE OAKLEY. About 60 years before RKO Studios released ANNIE OAKLEY, America's Racist Rich People's Party (the same folks who orchestrated the "Inside Job" facilitating the assassination of Abe Lincoln due to his Post-Civil War vision of repatriating kidnapped Blacks to their African Homelands while bringing the many egregious War Profiteers--who murdered hundreds of Union artillery men with their shoddy exploding cannon barrels--to Justice) filled the 1870s U.S. West with Job-Killing Corrupt Capitalist "Indian Agent" Crooks (not unlike Modern Day Child-Catcher Betsy DeVos running her national chain of For-Profit U.S. Charter Dumbing-Down Shacks out of OUR Education Department!) who bamboozled legendary Sioux War Chiefs Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull into slaying the top Native American Booster they had among U.S. Whites, George Armstrong Custer. Though Crazy Horse, the more Visionary of the Pair, was quickly assassinated like Lincoln (presaging the One-Two Punch of the 1960s, when agents of the Rich People's Party first whacked our Beloved President, JFK, and then gunned down Martin Luther King, Jr.), ANNIE OAKLEY documents how the title character taught Sitting Bull the American Language and Culture. Buffalo Bill was more of a hindrance than a help during this process, in keeping with his Genocidal Role of starving many Tribal Nations to death by gratuitously killing off their meat, so that the only buffalo left were the ones on nickels. If only Annie Oakley had ridden with Custer, America may have gotten rid of the Trilaterals once and for all back then, instead of being left in Her Present Mess.
Python Hyena
Annie Oakley (1935): Dir: George Stevens / Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Preston Foster, Moroni Olsen, Chief Thunder Bird, Melvyn Douglas: Inspiring comedy about the legendary fast shooter Annie Oakley whom is discredited for her gender but quickly proves herself when up against famed shooter Toby Walker. It is done with a lot of flair and enthusiasm, much of which is provided through the lead. Directed with skill by George Stevens who is lucky enough to have characters that rise above the conventions, and a screenplay that does the landmark of inferior versions. Barbara Stanwyck brings out the cheer and determination of Oakley who discovers romance and the ability to give second chances. Preston Foster steals scenes as Walker whose ego surrenders to his competition. Thankfully this isn't reduced to some cliché ridden bore, but rather done with wit and charm. Moroni Olsen as Buffalo Bill the promoter is more straight forward yet amusing. Chief Thunder Bird is hilarious as native Sitting Bull who struggles to adapt to the complicated simplicity around him. Many of his scenes provide the film's biggest laughs. This may be just about the best version of this story to be made. It is a well made film that would be redone countless times, but this is just about the best the story can receive. It addresses gender differences and the ability to unite despite our differences and personalities. Score: 9 ½ / 10
vincentlynch-moonoi
It's only recently that I fully began to appreciate the talents of Barbara Stanwyck. Her peak was a little before my time, but I remembered her well from "The Big Valley", where she was always billed as Miss Barbara Stanwyck.This film is both very good in terms of entertainment, and although liberties have been taken (particularly at the end of the film), they get the basic bio of Annie Oakley down reasonably well. And, you'll get a decent idea of what a Buffalo Bill Wild West Show was like. The details, well, of course, this is a movie bio.Barbara Stanwyck is great here! A class act all the way. Preston Foster, as the love interest, is never one of my favorites, but does quite nicely here. Melvyn Douglas, who also loves Annie, is very good in this part. Moroni Olsen, a wonderful actor, is terrific here as Buffalo Bill.This is a very enjoyable movie. Not one of the greats, but it's difficult not to just sit back and enjoy yourself.
gkeith_1
My observations: Fascinating movie. Barbara plays a teenager well. Characters from Ohio (our state) portrayed a lot as ignorant, backward, illiterate, and in current times we are referred to as "that state with no indoor plumbing". Indeed! What happened to Frank Butler? He was a real guy, and Annie's husband IRL, but here he is Toby Walker??? The actor plays him as smug, indifferent, hotheaded, famous, kindly and then washed-up. When Annie IRL died in 1926, Frank died 18 days later from starving himself to death over his grief. In this movie, Annie had other admirers such as Buffalo Bill and Chief Sitting Bull; they actually worship and adore her. Bull driving the carriage at lightning speed to rescue Annie was incredibly hilarious and enjoyable. I loved Annie's outfits when she became famous. They were quite flattering, along with the big hats. Buffalo Bill was kindly and thoughtful. Annie was heartfelt, caring and loving to her family.For the detractors: Yada, yada. We know that film biographies may not be true to reality. Human sins are whitewashed in order to sell tickets. Situations and instances are selected or written anew in order to make continuity and interest on the part of the audience. Sometimes the movie stars are more glamorous than the real people whom they portray. Sometimes the movie stars have better teeth and physiques. The movie stars even have publicity agents, lawyers, makeup artists and percentage deals. Buffalo Bill himself, IRL, was bigger than life, an invented persona if there ever was one.
AD
