Annie 1982

Check out our review of Annie 1982 - is it any good and how suitable is it for kids?

A Dog's Purpose Poster

Annie 1982

Starring: Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Ann Reinking. (U)

Release date: 1982

2 out of 5

2

Everyone’s favourite curly, red-haired orphan – originally a comic strip that was adapted into a hugely successful Broadway musical – got the big-screen treatment here, in a movie directed by the venerated John Huston (The Misfits, The Asphalt Jungle etc). Featuring all those Charles Strouse songs – ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’ and, of course, ‘Tomorrow’ – it’s the tale of little orphan Annie (Aileen Quinn), who lives in an orphanage run by the mean Miss Hannigan (Burnett). Things get much better when she is selected to live with rich industrialist Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks (Finney), and she charms the grumpy man and his staff, but there is trouble on the horizon from Hannigan and her brother Rooster (Tim Curry), who sense there is money to be made from Annie’s misfortunes.
Huston’s only musical, this is as brightly coloured as Annie’s hair but somehow lacks any real joy or fun. Quinn is more irritating than she is cute, while Finney just looks uncomfortable. Young girls may enjoy the songs though (and some of them are staged very well), even if they want to strangle the saccharine lead. 

Is Annie 1982 suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...

Young viewers may find Tim Curry and Carol Burnett’s characters a little scary. Later in the movie, when Annie is kidnapped and in danger it is quite frightening.

If you like this, why not try: Oliver!, The Wizard Of Oz, Madeline, Bugsy Malone, Matilda,