Jackson Booth-Millard I had seen the DVD cover for this western themed musical movie so many times, and it was annoying me that I still hadn't watched it, so I'm glad I finally got the opportunity to do so, directed by George Sidney (Anchors Aweigh, Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate). Based on the stage musical of the same name, with the story being loosely based on the true story of famous American sharpshooter Annie Oakley. Basically Annie Oakley (Betty Hutton) started out as a trapper, with no school education and unable to read, then her talent for shooting is spotted. A bet is put on that Annie can beat marksman Frank Butler (Calamity Jane's Howard Keel, in his first film) in a shooting match, and she succeeds. Colonel William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody (Louis Calhern) believes that Annie and Frank working together could create a buzz of business for his travelling circus, and rival travelling circus businessman Pawnee Bill (Edward Arnold), in the process Annie sheds her original dirty image and becomes a beauty. Annie and Frank bring success to the circus business, and they become very close to each other, although they also have an awkward relationship, trying to outdo each other, to the point when Frank leaves for some time. Annie continues her success, and also forms a friendship with Chief Sitting Bull (J. Carrol Naish), adopting her as part of his tribe, as an Indian, he becomes an ally to Buffalo Bill when going against Pawnee Bill as well. Annie discovers Frank is coming back to an area that her act is touring, they are pleased to see each other, but the awkwardness between reignites as well, to the point when they want to have another shooting match. In the end, Annie decides that the only way to win Frank back, and for the two circus businesses to merge, is to let him win, but Frank realises her feelings for her, and that they will be successful together, so everyone joins forces and everyone gets a happy ending. Also starring Keenan Wynn as Charlie Davenport, Benay Venuta as Dolly Tate and Clinton Sundberg as Foster Wilson. Originally the leading role was intended for Judy Garland, but due to illness she pulled out (she probably wouldn't have suited anyway), Hutton is perfectly cast as Annie Oakley, who turns from dirty backwoods bird into glamorous shooting star, and Keel is equally fantastic as the fellow gunman who falls for her rough charms, they make a perfect duo, both bickering and falling for each other. This film has a fantastically funny and adorable script, great characters, colourful costumes, and brilliantly catchy songs you can sing along to, including "Doin' What Comes Naturally", "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun", the most recognised "There's No Business Like Show Business" and the hilarious "Anything You Can Do", I highly recommend this brilliant musical Western comedy. It won the Oscar for Best Music for Adolph Deutsch and Roger Edens, and it was nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Film Editing. Outstanding!

Scott-101 The play is surely a classic (from what I've heard) but this is a pretty troubled film.For one, the misogynistic attitude of the Frank Butler character makes Seven Brides for Seven Brothers look progressive by comparison and Annie Oakley is portrayed as so stereotypically backwater that the Beverly Hillbillies would probably have boycotted this film. While we have to accept that cultural values have shifted just a little bit, some of the blame rests with the way Howard Keel and Betty Hutton approached their parts.I hate to say that because they were two of MGM's most underrated treasures but Hutton's aw shucks hillbilly demeanor was over-the-top and her overeffusiveness of Keel's Butler in the opening scene bordered on cartoonish (I was half-expecting a heart to start visibly beating out of her chest like Pepe le Pew). Similarly, Keel's Butler seemed to have little more than a passing interest in Hutton's Annie Oakley and it never really felt like a love story in that respect. Without the chemistry, the film falls apart because it almost seems like Oakley has an unhealthy obsession with this Frank Butler who kissed her once but otherwise treated her like either dirt and Buffalo Bill is just an enabler.The number "Anything you can do I can do better" is still a showstopper and "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" still has some enthusiasm although Hutton's hillbilly diction takes away from it. The film has many of the trademarks of the MGM films of the era with the rich color palette, lavish period details, and orchestral backing to the songs.

peacham We all are aware by now that Judy Garland was to star in the film and that she was replaced by Hutton after several days shooting. As great a musical star as Garland was, this may have been a good thing. Betty Hutton shines in the title role..brassy,emotional and full of life.Howard Keel,fresh from his London success in "Oklahoma" is sheer perfection as Frank Butler, stealing scenes with such numbers as "My Defenses are Down" and "The Girl That I Marry".Benay Venuta also gets her share of scene stealing as Frank's flamboyant assistant Dolly Tate, and Keenan Wynn has just the right amount of huckster in him to make Charlie Davenort memorable.J. Carrol Nash as Sitting Bull has some of the films funniest moments, and Louis Calhern, stepping in for the late Frank Morgan, handles Buffalo Bill Cody with the skill of a great character actor.other musical highlights are "Doing What Comes Naturally" belted with gusto by Hutton, "Col. Buffalo Bill" smartly sung by Wynn,Venuta & Keel, and the famous "No Business Like Show Business" featuring Wynn,Calhern & Keel.This is truly one of the best stage to screen adaptations to come along.

vincentlynch-moonoi This is another of those films that I had avoided for years...just didn't suit my tastes. But recently I moved to Colorado and had visited the real Buffalo Bill's grave west of Denver, so my interest was piqued a bit. I have to admit, although some might consider it corny, that this was one heck of a film. It's loosely based on the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley, and it's helpful to real the "Wikipedia" entries on the film and the major characters. Fictionalized, you bet. But, when you read the real background of Oakley (and others), you'll "get" things in the film you otherwise wouldn't. There's more than a grain of truth here, but you still wouldn't call it historical.This MGM release has stunning color, and of course a wonderful score by Irving Berlin. Interestingly, the role of Annie Oakley was to be played by Judy Garland, whose emotional problems led to her release from the film. All the better. Betty Hutton gives a bravura performance, and though footage of Garland has been released and is good, Hutton is ideal for this role. Disappointingly, Frank Morgan was to play Buffalo Bill, but died; Louis Calhern does a nice job in what is a very different role for him. Edward Arnold, long after his peak as a leading man, plays a fine character role as Pawnee Bill. Howard Keel is fine as the romantic lead (in his film debut), and Keenan Wynn is fine in a supporting role.This is an infectious movie that it's difficult not to like. The strength of the Hutton performance is stunning. As the film's premiere number says, there's no business like show business!