Annie

The colourful, fantastical, filled-with-hope story of Little Orphan Annie originated as a daily comic strip back in 1924. Early Hollywood versions appeared in 1932 and 1938; after Broadway adopted her in 1977, Annie hit the silver screen again with this big-budget, larger-than-life musical adventure.  Pining for her long-lost parents, poor, plucky Annie (Aileen Quinn) lives in a dreary orphanage in Depression-era New York City, where she and the other girls slave away, cartwheeling and singing through their chores, under tyrannical Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). Annie’s luck changes when she charms her way into a week-long stay at the mansion of begrudging millionaire Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney). After Annie surprises everyone by winning the tycoon’s heart, Warbucks pledges to find her parents, offering a massive reward and asking for only one thing in return: that her real parents prove their identity with the lost half of Annie’s golden locket. Nominated for two Oscars (for Art Direction and Adapted Musical Score), the strikingly cheerful Annie was one of the last films made by renowned director John Huston (The Maltese Falcon, The Misfits, The African Queen), and the only musical of his career. You can bet your bottom dollar it’ll leave you smiling. Colour, 35mm, 127 mins.