CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Lollivan It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Cheryl A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

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

ksf-2 Annie O. opens with the townies sitting around, and Annie Oakley (Barbara Stanwyck) is one of em. They see the poster of Toby Walker, the "Greatest shot in the World"! Her buddies talk about what a good shot Annie is herself, so there's foreshadowing of a showdown of some sort. Willie Best is in here as a chef. Stanwyck had not yet been nominated for any of her FOUR Oscar nominations ( and a win for lifetime achievement!) but she HAD been in films for about five years already, so this is from her early years. There's Melvyn Douglas (TWO Oscars!) as Hogarth, who runs the Western show with Buffalo Bill Cody (Moroni Olsen). Oakley joins up with BB's show, and there's the usual, predictable conflicts. Jealousy from the men, the usual Hollywood story-fare. An entertaining watch, but no big thang. Interesting details in wikipedia.com. It shows that Oakley married first, then joined the Western show later, which if I recall correctly, was reversed in the film. Stanwyck would make three films with Preston Foster. Directed by George Stevens, for RKO. Stevens was nominated for eight Oscars, and won three of em, but the first would be another ten years away. Good old fashioned western fun, but I get the idea that about half of the film was souped up Hollywood style for the audience, to jazz it up. Of course, back then, it was pretty hard to research anything, so this film was probably the only knowledge most people had of Oakley.

Lilcount Don't watch this film expecting to learn anything about the real Annie Oakley. The writers get most everything wrong, excepting the lead character's name and one or two other facts. But if you want to enjoy watching a young Barbara Stanwyck play an authentic American heartland heroine, albeit with a New York accent, this is a film you will enjoy.The acting is good, the direction by George Stevens is quite good, and the recreation of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show is extremely good. Remarkably for a film made in 1935, Chief Sitting Bull (played well by Chief Thunder Bird)is the hero of the piece, engineering the reunion of the separated lovers. The Chief is the butt of a few jokes, but they arise naturally from his outsider status in American culture, not as a stereotypical Indian.On the minus side, we do have to sit through a scene showing two African-American cooks trying to pilfer some quail from hotelier Mac Ivor (Andy Clyde.)Overall, this picture works as entertainment, a love story sprinkled with humor. Recommended.

ccthemovieman-1 Barbara Stanwyck, as I have mentioned in other reviews, was a tough woman but a likable one, at least with me. I don't normally go for those tough dames but her voice and personality she brought to a lot of roles always attracted me. A case in point was this movie. I doubt if another actress would have made this a better-than-average film, which Stanwyck did.Preston Foster's character in here, meanwhile, undergoes one of the fastest transformations I've ever seen on film, from arrogant pig to very likable good guy in no time at all. In fact, he turned out to be such a good guy that parts of this film, where "Toby Walker" was wronged, are difficult to watch.There's a little humor also thrown in this western, mainly involving "Sitting Bull." It's been a long time since I've seen this film but I would definitely watch it again if it came out on DVD.