ANNIE (DVD) (1999 KATHY BATES) DVD

Annie
This made-for-TV adaptation of the hit Broadway musical (which was, in turn, based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray) stars Alicia Morton as Annie, who lives in an orphanage run by the ill-tempered Miss Hannigan (Kathy Bates). Like the rest of the children, Annie doesn't like the orphanage and hates Miss Hannigan, so she's excited when famous and eccentric billionaire Daddy Warbucks (Victor Garber) picks Annie as the lucky orphan who gets to spend Christmas at his mansion. Warbucks is charmed by Annie's spunk and good spirits and is eager to adopt her, but Annie is convinced that one day her real parents will come back to claim her. Eager to make her happy, Warbucks offers a sizable cash reward to whomever can find Annie's mother and father; Miss Hannigan, seeing the possibility of an easy payday, concocts a scheme by which her brother Rooster (Alan Cumming) and his floozy girlfriend Lily (Kristin Chenoweth) will pose as Annie's long-lost folks. Andrea McArdle, who originated the role of Annie on Broadway, has a supporting role as the Star-to-Be. The musical was previously filmed in 1982, with John Huston in the director's chair. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Cast Alicia Morton as Annie Victor Garber as Daddy Warbucks Kathy Bates as Miss Hannigan Alan Cumming as Rooster

Crew Rob Marshall - Choreography Rob Marshall - Director Roger Schumacher - Animal Trainer/Wrangler Keith Rogers - Re-Recording Mixer

Annie
This made-for-TV version of Annie is much better than the 1982 big-screen feature, and a highly effective stage-to-screen transfer. While it significantly alters some elements of the play (e.g., omitting most of the sections dealing with FDR and the New Deal, cutting several songs), the changes work well in context. Director Rob Marshall uses his resources very skillfully; he must work within the confines of a television budget (albeit a generous one) and schedule, but manages to make the production numbers exciting and to give the film a distinctive visual look. His work on "Tomorrow," the show's signature tune, is especially good. In his hands the song is quietly but determinedly optimistic, rather than overpoweringly anthemic, as it could be under another director. Marshall's cast is uniformly excellent. Alicia Morton is a treasure, genuine and real and playing her scenes with a beguiling sincerity. Victor Garber hits all the right notes; his transition from initial no-nonsense efficiency to warmth and caring is handled with aplomb, and his performance of "Something Was Missing" is lovely. Audra McDonald, her role built up substantially, is in especially fine form (and exceptional voice), and Kathy Bates is a hoot -- and not bad vocally, either. Thoroughly engaging, Annie is one of the few musicals to effectively make the transition to TV. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
 

Kathy Bates: Golden Globe, Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Pictur (nominated) Kathy Bates: Screen Actors Guild, Best Female Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie (nominated)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English Sound Processing: 5.1: 5 full-range channels. Includes 3 for the front speakers, 2 surround channels for rear speakers, & 1 low-frequency effects (LFE) channel to carry deep bass effects Additional Features: WWDD trailer 5.0 Surround Sound 1.33:1 aspect ratio DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 90 min   DVD Chapters: Chapter Selections 0. Chapter Selections 1. Opening Credits/A Very Special Note [3:31] 2. "Maybe" [3:29] 3. Miss Hannigan [1:35] 4. "Hard Knock Life" [5:47] 5. Annie Looks For Her Parents [1:34] 6. A New Friend/"Tomorrow" [4:20] 7. On The Lam [2:40] 8. "Little Girls" [3:36] 9. An Invitation From Oliver Warbucks [2:43] 10. Arriving For The holidays/"I Think I'm GOnna Like It Here" [4:50] 11. Warbucks And Annie Meet [2:56] 12. "nyc" [8:04] 13. Rooster And Lily [1:36] 14. "Easy Street" [4:49] 15. Speaking From The Heart [3:52] 16. "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" [4:26] 17. Rooster Hatches A Scheme [2:55] 18. The Search For Annie's Parents [1:16] 19. "Something Was Missing" [5:12] 20. "Together At Last" [2:42] 21. Enter The Mudges [4:57] 22. A Bittersweet Toast/"Tomorrow" [2:54] 23. Christmas Morning/Annie Says Goodbye [1:29] 24. Lily Spills The Beans [1:19] 25. The Jig Is Up [2:20] 26. A Wonderful New Life/"I Don't Need Anything But You" [3:37] 27. End Credits [3:26]