Annie Get Your Gun

I think this was one of the best films ever made and would love to be able to buy it on video. I adore Howard Keel and I think the part was made for Betty Hutton. It is a shame generations are missing out on this movie.

Betty Hutton is excellent as Annie Oakley, the sharp-shooter who joins Buffalo Bill's circus; and she has just the same amount of OTT acting and raucous singing to pull the role off. Judy Garland was originally cast in the lead and filmed two numbers (both now available on the DVD, and both painfully awful) before having a breakdown and being replaced. Thank goodness Betty was cast instead, and she and Howard Keel make a terrific team. Keel would have another chance to go west with Doris Day as Calamity Jane a few years after Annie, and I'd find it difficult to pick between his performances in these two films.

Irving Berlin wrote a great score for Annie, including 'Anything You Can Do', 'Doin What Comes Naturally','They Say It's Wonderful' and of course, 'There's No Business Like Show Business' and for this the musical will be highly regarded and fondly remembered. What is curious is the fact the film disappeared from public view for two decades before making its video debut. It is to be celebrated that we have the chance to see it again and appreciate its good points.

I saw Annie Get Your Gun at a special screening for lovers of music from the 30s to the 50s. I found it very entertaining with marvellous songs from Irving Berlin. In fact, while I am an admirer of Berlin, his songs from this movie exceeded expectations. However, the absolute star of the show is Betty Hutton whose dynamic rendition of Berlin's music just blew me away. She had enthusiasm and energy unrivalled in that genre with the possible exception of Ethel Merman. Yet Betty could sing softly and sweetly in songs such as "They Say It's Wonderful".

Howard Keel was perfect for his role as Frank Butler and the competition between Frank and Annie is the cornerstone of the movie.

I have to cringe at the patronising portrayal of the American Indians but, of course, together with black Americans, this was typical of the culture and attitudes of the time -- all of which was to change radically during the next 15 years.

I disagree with the previous reviewer who said Garland would have been better in this role. Betty Hutton was great. She may not have been the singer that Garland was, but she did a excellent job of looking really unpolished in the beginning and cleaning up to be a very attractive woman. Her portrayal of Annie has a lot personality and humor. If you rent or buy the anniversary tape or DVD for this movie, they've included some scenes that had been already shot with Judy before they decided to recast her role. There is no comparison. Judy was not up to the role at that point in her life and it really shows. I'm glad Betty was cast. I think it's a great movie/musical due to her performance.

1950's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN was originally planned to star Judy Garland in the title role; however Garland had just finished a stint in rehab and doctors recommended a year off. Instead she was given two weeks off and was assigned to report to wardrobe tests for the film. She even filmed a few scenes and a couple of musical numbers (which are included on the DVD), but Garland looks worn and haggard and she clearly was in no shape, physically or emotionally to work, so she was replaced by that bundle of bombastic( an adjective which I think the actress has the patent on)energy, Betty Hutton, who makes the most of this role and the classic Irving Berlin score (not Rodgers and Hammerstein as a previous poster stated). I have to admit I wouldn't have minded hearing Garland's interpretation of "I've Got the Sun in the Morning" or "They Say that Falling in Love" (Hutton's weakest moment) but for the most part Hutton shines as Annie and gets solid support from handsome Howard Keel as Frank Butler. Their duet "Anything you can do" is another highlight. A first rate stage musical gets first rate screen treatment from the MGM dream factory.