Synopsis
Annie follows a spirited young orphan living in New York City during the Great Depression. Stuck in a strict and often miserable orphanage run by the bitter Miss Hannigan, Annie refuses to give up hope that her parents will one day return for her. Her life takes an unexpected turn when billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks invites her to stay at his mansion for a week as part of a publicity campaign. What starts as a temporary arrangement quickly turns into something more, as Annie’s optimism begins to soften Warbucks’ tough exterior. Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan teams up with her scheming brother and his girlfriend to try to pretend to be Annie’s parents in order to collect a large reward. With plenty of music, humor, and heart, the story follows Annie as she navigates this new world, all while holding onto her belief that things will get better — no matter how hard life gets.
Actors & Crew
- Aileen Quinn (Aileen Marie Quinn) was born June 28, 1971. She’s best known for playing the title role in Annie (1982) at just 9 years old, a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations. Before landing the role she appeared in classic ’80s commercials, and the Annie soundtrack went platinum. She later built a long career in theater, performing in The Wizard of Oz, Bye Bye Birdie, Oliver!, and national tours of Fiddler on the Roof, Peter Pan, and Saturday Night Fever, and studied Shakespeare in London. Outside performing, she has worked as a theater professor at Monmouth University and fronts her own band, Aileen Quinn and the Leapin’ Lizards. She plays Annie.
- Albert Finney was a highly acclaimed English actor born May 9, 1936, in Salford, England, who rose to fame in the 1960s as part of the British “New Wave.” He starred in Tom Jones, Murder on the Orient Express, Erin Brockovich, and Big Fish, was nominated for five Academy Awards, and won multiple Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy Awards. To many 80s kids he’s best remembered for playing billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. He passed away on February 7, 2019. He plays Daddy Warbucks.
- Carol Burnett is a legendary American actress, comedian, and singer born April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, who rose to fame as the star of The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978). She has won numerous Emmy Awards and a Presidential Medal of Freedom over her career. For ’80s audiences she is especially memorable as the hilariously over-the-top Miss Hannigan. She plays Miss Hannigan.
- Bernadette Peters is an acclaimed American actress and singer born February 28, 1948, in New York City, best known for her Broadway collaborations with Stephen Sondheim on shows like Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods. For ’80s film audiences she’s well known for playing Lily St. Regis, the glamorous but scheming accomplice in Annie. She is also a bestselling recording artist and animal welfare advocate. She plays Lily St. Regis.
- Ann Reinking was a celebrated American actress, dancer, and choreographer born November 10, 1949, in Seattle, Washington, who rose to prominence through her collaborations with choreographer Bob Fosse on Broadway shows including Chicago and Sweet Charity, later winning a Tony for choreographing the 1996 revival of Chicago. For ’80s audiences she’s remembered as Grace Farrell, Daddy Warbucks’ poised and kind-hearted assistant. She passed away on December 12, 2020. She plays Grace Farrell.
- Tim Curry is a legendary English actor, singer, and performer born April 19, 1946, in Cheshire, England, who first gained major fame as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He has also appeared in Clue, Legend, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, plus a successful voice acting career. For ’80s audiences he’s memorable as the sly and scheming Rooster Hannigan. In 2012, he suffered a major stroke that limited his mobility but continues to make public appearances. He plays Rooster Hannigan.
- Edward Herrmann was born July 21, 1943, in Washington, D.C., and built a long career playing authoritative and refined characters in films including The Great Gatsby, The Lost Boys, and Overboard. For ’80s audiences he’s remembered for his brief but memorable turn as President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Annie, and later found renewed popularity as Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls. He won an Emmy Award and was nominated for multiple Tonys. He passed away on December 31, 2014. He plays President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Directed by John Huston.
Budget & Shooting Locations
- Released: May 21, 1982
- Rated: PG
- Budget: $35 million
- Box Office: $57.1 million
- Principal photography took place in 1981 over six weeks at Monmouth College (now Monmouth University) in West Long Branch, New Jersey, which has two mansions used in the film, including the Shadow Lawn Mansion. The NX Bridge, an abandoned railroad bridge over the Passaic River in Newark, was used for one of the climactic scenes
- Many of the street sets were filmed at Warner Bros. Burbank Studios. Production designer Dale Hennesy overhauled the old “Tenement Street” back lot set, outfitting it with real New York fire escapes and facades; Hennesy died during filming, and the back lot set was renamed “Hennesy Street” in his honor
Rewatch verdict and Cringe Meter
IMDb: 6.6/10 (53K ratings). Rotten Tomatoes: 50% Tomatometer (38 reviews) · 69% Popcornmeter (250,000+ ratings). Metascore: 39, “Generally Unfavorable” (10 critic reviews). User Score: 6.2, “Generally Favorable” (48 ratings).
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) gave it 3/4 stars: “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.”
Michael Blowen (Boston Globe) wrote: “Producer Ray Stark and director John Huston have relied more on the rigid style of the comic strip than on the high-steppin’ pizazz of the Broadway show. They’ve transformed a big-hearted hit that won seven Tonys into a small-minded musical.”
Bob Thomas (Associated Press) offered some good news: “Aileen Quinn makes a perfect Annie, recalling Shirley Temple with her room-lighting smile and perky manner.”
