MovieChat Forums > Annie (2014) Discussion > Finally watched the original, and by com...

Finally watched the original, and by comparison...

posted 10 years ago by iroquoisjoe
46 replies | jump to latest

So someone on this board mentioned the other Annie and I kind of wanted to see for myself how the other actress and everything else compared. ...so I downloaded it and watched it with my girlfriend the other day.

The short version is that the new version is more up-beat, has more interesting characters, has better music and basically was more enjoyable unto the very end. The old version was not bad and had a good social message, but its deliberate anachronisms did give it clunky feel that was hard to relate to.

It actually wasn't too bad. It was actually fun comparing all the parallels and changes in the characters and plot. The 'first' Annie had a cute and "spunky" actress (god only knows what happened to her) and it has the 'first' Miss Hannigan who, while less likable, was very impressive in how the actress (Carol Burnett) really sells the character of an embittered and put-upon orphanage mistress. And this is coming from someone who very much liked Cameron Diaz's portrayal also.

Still...there is little comparison outside of that.

Oh actually, I did think that the orphan girls in the first version were more 'acrobatic' dancers...so it was cool watching them do their thing.

...still, Annie (2014) is simply more up-beat and enjoyable. Almost, right after we watched Annie (1982) we watched the new Annie again...and it was just more fun and "up-lifting". It was funnier and more relateable than the original. It makes you smile right from the opening sequences and really doesn't have many "down" moments (...except for briefly when it is revealed that Annie can't read (which still is actually one of the odd inexplicable downsides of this new version).

For the record, there is nothing wrong with the old version...but it doesn't feel quite as inspirational as this one does. And some of the anachronisms seem almost irrelevant. For example: a scene where Annie is watching a radio show being produced and she is shocked that the sound effects are manufactured and not really produced by the actors. A small thing, but something hard to really relate to.

One thing I will say that the old version had in it's favor was a more deliberate social consciousness: At some point Annie's potential adoptive Father figure meets with the President of the US...Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR gets this super rich man to get behind to his New Deal programs for an American population in the midst of depression of the 1930's. (Keep in mind this is a man who makes his riches selling war machines (how much more character driven can a name get than "Daddy Warbucks"?) and is saved from a LITERAL bomb-throwing Bolshevik by his Indian man-servant and kung-fuing Asian chauffeur.) Anyhow...this nod to the suffering of others is somewhat better than the new version's advocacy of pop culture and consumerism.

The old version's romantic subplot was slightly better developed and yet less interesting at the same time. In fact it took watching the old version for me to realize just how much Jamie Foxx carried the comedic load of the new version. The "mother" figure to Annie in the old version plays her part well-enough, but is still strangely more forgettable also. She plays it much straighter than the new version does.

That is probably the last thing I will note. The old version just doesn't have as many laughs. I can see myself watching Annie (2014) again as a pick-me-up. 

On November 6, 2012...God blessed America

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

Disagree with almost everything you said. So do the critics. So does the public. So did the box office.

The 2014 movie was panned by critics and flopped at the box office. It's supposed to be a musical, but it has lame choreography, horrible singing and is terribly miscast.

Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie was never about laughs. It's like watching Cinderella and expecting laughs. Wrong movie. The Annie comic was often dark, violent and filled with perilous situations in addition to the pointed social/political commentary inserted by Mr. Gray. Annie was an upbeat, inspirational character in a bleak world. Not a lead character in Sesame Street.

You can like the new movie, but it's not the icon and it's not Annie.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

You got that right! Very well said.

[–] Thornspike 10 years ago

Hey Cool. I enjoyed reading your comparison and assessment.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] iroquoisjoe 10 years ago

Hey Cool. I enjoyed reading your comparison and assessment.

My pleasure  I could've gone on and on with the comparisons but those were the best bits. 

On November 6, 2012...God blessed America

[–] omoxus 10 years ago

Yo, Iroquoisjoe. You dun fugged up now! You actually made a succinct and positive statement about the 2014 version! You're not supposed to like this film in any way, shape or form. 

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Thornspike 10 years ago

Funny!

[–] iroquoisjoe 10 years ago

You're not supposed to like this film in any way, shape or form. 

Ha! Really? Who says?

On November 6, 2012...God blessed America

[–] omoxus 10 years ago

Who says? The haters on this board. Especially a certain obsessed fan of the 82 version.

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] iroquoisjoe 10 years ago

Who says? The haters on this board. Especially a certain obsessed fan of the 82 version.

Ha!  Okay.  I'm a bit quick with the ignore button on trolls so I don't think I have read any hate since I first posted...which must've been months ago! 

On November 6, 2012...God blessed America

[–] northernlassmag 10 years ago

Can I suggest watching the 1999 Disney version that's on You Tube. I agree that the original is a little clunky. The 99 one has less songs so they're more memorable and there are no subplots like the bomb or going to see the president. It has just the right combination of song and story line.It's my personal favourite Annie.

[–] iroquoisjoe 10 years ago

Can I suggest watching the 1999 Disney version that's on You Tube. I agree that the original is a little clunky. The 99 one has less songs so they're more memorable and there are no subplots like the bomb or going to see the president. It has just the right combination of song and story line.It's my personal favourite Annie.

So...yeah, my girlfriend hipped me to the '99 version. She did not like it so I did not watch it when she let me know of its existence, but I did watch it recently.

I actually think the the '82 version is better than the '99. the 1999 version seemed a bit 'darker' and actually seemed even clunkier than the 1982 version. My understanding is that the 1999 version is a more faithful rendition of how the stage production is plotted and produced...and this is noticeable, and not in a 'good' way. The one advantage was that the 1999 version seemed to have a more believably violent Annie. the 1982 girl was just too cute to believe she was beating up street boys and dominating the orphanage with her fists.

But the 1999 version had my psycho-girl from Misery, Kathy Bates, playing Hannigan and for over-the-top acting she is no match for the Carol Burnett performance.

Also, I actually APPRECIATED the subplots of the 1982 version. I mean the explosive assassination attempt, and the visit to the president both pointed to a world in 1933 that is really going on OUTSIDE the settings of the basic plot. ...and that is a good thing. I mean both had their corny elements but look how much you learn...even if it is unspoken:
1. Warbucks' military sales business has consequences beyond just enriching himself. People die from the products he makes. He is presumably on the side of the good, but for a while, you at least question how bad this shouty guy is. Also...as silly as it is, it is kind of funny watching his "Indian" man-servant dispose of the bomb with a flashy balletic spinning maneuver.

2. We get to watch a "liberal" president bend a rich oligarch to his will, for the good of the common people. FDR even "makes" Oliver Warbucks sing the frickin 'Tomorrow' song with Annie. As I mentioned before, to me, that elevates 1982 version over the 2014 version...at least for social consciousness. When you think about the historical context of what FDR actually did have to do, politically, in those times...well, if there were a sequel to the 1982 Annie I would have watched just to see more of THAT.

Peace! 

On November 6, 2012...God blessed America

[–] AmyJolamb 10 years ago

I love Kathy Bates but I couldn't stand the '99 version.

[–] phyre_Iyz 10 years ago

When you were talking about the 82 version and the bomb subplot, all I could think about was the man super-spinning and throwing the bomb out of harms way just in time and how excited that made me as a young girl watching it.

I disagree with you that the new movie is better, but you have a right to your opinion. I wish it didn't feel rushed to completion, with poor vocals, and bland choreography. I'd have loved to see an urban version done much better. That is my opinion though, as you are allowed yours. Thanks for the trek down Memory Lane.

[–] Zingbot_9000 10 years ago

I agree with the OP. The old Annie is outdated and stupid. If ever a movie needed to be redone it was that. Some people just can not get past a black Annie. Too bad.

......Zing!

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

Yeah, like Cinderella is "outdated and stupid." Yet Disney released a faithful Cinderella film in an old period setting and the result was a box office hit.

The "Annie" 2014 movie was critically panned and a box office flop worldwide. The public rates it a 5.2 on IMDb which is awful. One of the worst movies in recent years.

According to the source material, 31,000 comic strips from 1924-2010, there is no black "Annie." Perhaps omitting the iconic title character and her famous appearance is one reason why this movie called "Annie" failed so miserably.

[–] Thornspike 10 years ago

I like Annie (2014) better than previous movies about Annie. I don't have a problem with adaptations of the original and I appreciate a new take on the original subject matter and characters. The old WW2 style of singing does sound dated to me and I really like the changes to the old songs and the new Annie songs are a very welcome addition in my opinion. Even though the meta critic score on IMDb is low (33), the 1982 version isn't much higher (39). Annie (2014) was 5.1 and now it is 5.2 and I feel it will continue to go up as it becomes viewed by people who have an open mind and aren't necessarily fixated on the original concept.

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

Annie isn't "subject matter" but a very specific, singular character as seen in the 31,000 comic strips published from 1924-2010 and portrayed in the John Huston film.

[–] Thornspike 10 years ago

Point taken. Well now she's been adapted to this century. You should be proud of her IMO.

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

The comic strip ran for 86 years and was always adapted for the times, but Annie was still Annie. The 2014 movie is a different person and that's why it was not successful.

[–] Thornspike 10 years ago

Perhaps not as successful financially as Sony would have liked but Annie (2014) is very successful at being enjoyable to me and in mordernizing the music to become fitting for this century.
The character Annie has been rebooted as an adorable black girl which is a great idea in my mind and helps our generation and especially future generations.
At first blacks became free, then they could vote and ride in the front of the bus, play baseball in the majors. Then they could be president and now can play Annie.
Without this movie, Annie would have slid into history and been unknown to the next generation. You should be thankful your Annie character was resurrected and lives on I feel.

[–] omoxus 10 years ago

Nor was the 82 version successful.

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

With a box office of $157.5 million in today's dollars (U.S. alone) and a top selling home video (everyone owned a copy), ultimately it was successful financially back in the 80's and in the opinion of viewers is today considered a classic by many who've watched it.

[–] norman-dostal 10 years ago

The 82 version actually was a smash. One of the top money makers that year.

[–] omoxus 10 years ago

Cosign with Thornspike. The updated Annie is more relevant to today's kids. The 1982 version threw in some communist themes. As it was prominent issue of the 80's. The rating on this version has slowly risen up as the months have gone by. People have been realizing it's wasn't as bad as some have made it out to be. The 82 big budget bomb is old news.

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] annedoe 10 years ago

I never seen the movie. But I don't think annie should have even been anything but a RED headed kid. Annie doesn't sit for a African American girl's name.

[–] iroquoisjoe 10 years ago

The updated Annie is more relevant to today's kids. The 1982 version threw in some communist themes...

Ya...know I have to stand corrected about what I said about this 2014 version having the downside of lacking the social consciousness of the 1982 version. I mean, you said, in another thread about Annie (2014), that the opening sequence was better left out because it was confusing, but I watched it again this morning (...as usual it is a fun and diverting watch ) and I can see why that scene is included: That <b>IS</B> the socially uplifting part of the movie. I TOTALLY MISSED IT.

I mean, I agree it is probably the most awkward part of the movie...in a movie that managed to keep it's smooth up-beat pacing very well. But, Annie's oral/group-participation presentation of her "essay" on Franklin Delano Roosevelt did cover the basic facts about the Great Depression affecting the poor and the wealthy differently, and how the President's New Deal policies back then gave out-of-work Americans meaningful employment that benefited the whole country.

So, actually, Annie (2014)'s writers did not do such a bad job on that level as I initially thought. Upon a third closer viewing I can see that they managed to:

a. slip in the above-mentioned 'good governments make changes to help the people' message.
b. kept the 'hard work pays-off' ethic...as presented in song by Jamie Foxx while inspecting his Manhattan cell tower network from his corporate helicopter. 
c. exhibited the plight of abandoned/fostered children.
d. examined, in a not-so-credible manner, the possibility of slipping through the cracks in the education system...to the level of being functionally illiterate.

On November 6, 2012 god blessed America...again. 

[–] omoxus 10 years ago

It appears you weren't caught up in the oitside drama. You paid attention to the film itself.

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] iroquoisjoe 10 years ago

Something else that was a nice change over the original was Annie's relationship with Miss Hannigan; that change being that their relationship was not entirely hostile.

There was a scene where Jamie Foxx's character reveals to her that Annie had told him that she liked her singing...and this was despite some rather dismissive treatment by Hannigan towards Annie.

I kind of liked this subtext that Annie could find good even in Miss Hannigan and not hold Hannigan's bitterness about life against her. It also humanized Hannigan and made her more sympathetic and less of just a one-dimensional grumpy woman.

I liked that Hannigan was obviously also feeling regret about telling Annie that she was going to send her to a group home...which I guess symbolizes that she would "miss" Annie.

...and, of course, no small amount of credit is due to Cameron Diaz in giving a creditable and believable performance in the role of Miss Hannigan. 

On November 6, 2012 god blessed America...again. 

[–] kirx 10 years ago

So autotune is more relevant to kids today? Thanks for clearing that up.

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

Domestic gross comparison:

Annie (1982): $157.5 million (adjusted)
Annie (2014): $85.9 million

No comparison. Maybe if the 2014 movie featured the title character it wouldn't have performed as bad as it did. Big loser for Sony.

The 1982 film sold more tickets in the U.S. alone ($157.5 million) than the 2014 movie sold in the U.S. + 80 countries ($133.8 mil).

One movie is more highly rated and sold thousands more tickets.

[–] omoxus 10 years ago

All it takes is a Google search to see that Annie 1982 was a failure. $64 mil on a $50 million budget is a flop. It also had razzies. You can cherry pick stats all you want. We know you hate this version of Annie, but don't try to justify that 1982 disaster. . It's of no use trying to change the minds of those that actually liked this film.

I am the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

All it takes is a Google search to see that Annie 1982 was a failure. $64 mil on a $50 million budget is a flop.

Yet a gross which adjusted is a $157.5 million domestic box office today. The movie had a $40 million budget + $10 million in marketing expenses. Can't judge film quality by studio profit margins. Yet the 1982 film surpassed its budget + marketing expenses at the domestic box office and became profitable on home video. The 2014 movie failed to do that.

The 1982 box office does not include any foreign gross. Yet it surpassed its budget + marketing expenses during its U.S. theatrical run. Something the 2014 movie failed to do.

It also had razzies.

Back then the Razzies were just one guy in his living room. Not a body of voters and certainly not the public. So no credibility there.

You can cherry pick stats all you want.

How is an adjusted gross of $157.5 million domestic cherry-picking? The 1982 film sold more tickets in the U.S. alone than the 2014 movie sold in the U.S. + 80 countries. Just proves movie-goers in 1982 were interested to see Annie, but movie-goers in 2014 were not interested to see the "Annie" name slapped on a girl who does not match the description of Annie shown in the famous comic strip. If you're going to make an Annie movie, you better put Annie in the movie.

We know you hate this version of Annie, but don't try to justify that 1982 disaster. . It's of no use trying to change the minds of those that actually liked this film.

The 1982 film is brilliant, was a hit with viewers, and became a financial success after its release on home video. Today many call it a "classic." Unlike the 2014 movie which bombed after the theater split and marketing expenses which Sony may never recover.

[–] phyre_Iyz 10 years ago

I actually attribute the poor sales of the 2014 version to the terrible arrangements. But, I studied music and voice growing up and did a lot of theatre, so I tend to judge based on that. I think that only a select few have such severe aversion to a "black" Annie they refused to see the movie or enjoy it if they did. I walked away wondering if any of the cast can sing without digital help, or if the entire score was arranged and produced by Jay-Z who notoriously loves a high-pitched tinny sound (Beyonce is a prime example) of the songs he produces. I'm not saying "it's all about the bass" but there was hardly any bottom (this coming from a soprano...soooooo).

Maybe Jay-Z is too detached from the streets to have made a viable, updated version of this movie. I'd almost like to see this scrapped and redone again but with no names. It's probably do and be much better.

[–] Cyclo Rider 9 years ago

Well, there is only one Annie in the famous comic strip.

A different ethnicity is a different person.

Aside from Jamie Foxx, you will never hear any of the principal players in the 2014 cast sing live.

[–] norman-dostal 10 years ago

The public is done with the " make everyone black" schtick. See Fantastic Fout.

[–] dwellman21 10 years ago

Pretty much any other version of Annie is better than the '82 film. That one was genuinely awful in so many basic storytelling ways it's unbelievable. And the fact that that one is OVER two hours makes it unbearable. This version removed soooooo much of the bloat of that '82 film (I refuse to call it the "original") by actually making the characters likeable, having scenes with something you could call actual character development (two words the '82 Annie was clearly allergic to) cutting out a bunch of useless dance sequences with some supposedly famous dancer chick and an honestly pretty-racist Indian Punjabi stereotype, and just streamlining the story in a much more simpler manner than the convoluted BS the '82 version presented us with some bad FDR impersonator coming out of nowhere in an angle that goes nowhere (where they waste the most famous song Tomorrow on THAT scene of all places. Are you kidding me?!?)

If this version of Annie makes kids today forget about the 1982 version, that'd be grand. This version has its share of shortcomings, sure, but there's so much more going for it than there ever was for '82, which isn't even good for its time.

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

The critics and public disagree.

1982 is considered superior in every way. Everywhere you look, 1982 rates the better film across the board and is considered by many a classic. It also has the benefit of actually starring the character Annie. It's not a simplistic film for immature people with short attention spans as there is a lot of mature content like the original comic strip. Still, kids love it for the songs ("Tomorrow" plays 3 times), colorful performances and suspenseful storyline.

The 2014 movie is horrible in every way. Hence the critics destroyed it and the public rates it as one of the worst movies of 2014.

[–] northernlassmag 10 years ago

Cyclo Rider have you seen the '99 version? What are your thoughts on that? Personally that one was my fave out of all three.

[–] Cyclo Rider 10 years ago

I actually have not seen the entire '99 film. Just the '82 film, stage play and Harold Gray's comic strips. I look forward to reading your article comparing and contrasting the films.

[–] QueenMerida 10 years ago

There is no comparison! the one with Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, and Tim Curry are Broadway legends! This newer version stunk so bad! It's interesting how you said that the original one had better dancing...hmm could it be because they did take the time to add real talented actors, actresses, dancers, singers, as a Broadway show/movie is supposed to do?

Yes the original was a bit darker, but the music the singing, the jazzy nice orchestrated sound was so much better than the autotune crapalola!

[–] minia 9 years ago

Nice breakdown! I saw the original Annie movie when it came out when I was five, so I am going to rewatch it this weekend. The new version WAS very entertaining.

For what I can recall, I think the other girl was a great singer. The new girl really wasn't, but oddly enough it made the story feel more realistic.

As a kid, I DO remember being afraid of Carol Burnett's character. Yet, she was verrrrrry funny. For some reason, I remember something about rats.

[–] markedjuan 9 years ago

I'm not sure if the OP was using sarcasm to ridicule the filmmakers and the fans of the newest version of Annie by repeatedly nitpicking on the anachronisms that he alleged exist in the '82 version. The original story of Little Orphan Annie was set in the 1930s and it seems that so many of the posters who enjoyed the latest remake preferred to have a more "upbeat version" with contemporary music. So many of us today sadly lack the patience and attention span to experience the past through the film medium -- through a film that accurately captures the era when the story is set. It isn't a wonder then that the impact of literary classics like The Great Gatsby are diminished by self-indulgent filmmakers who insist on imposing their "up-to-date" style of storytelling to impress audiences with lethargic brains.

As it happens, even the '82 version was made more child-friendly and was revised to capture the flavor of Little Orphan Annie and placed less coverage on the Great Depression, which was a big subject in the original stage musical. And surprise, it's the 21st Century and suddenly audiences find the '82 version too deep.

What's funny is the newest version of Annie at this point in time I made this post is already badly dated as the '82 version shall forever remain timeless.

[–] iroquoisjoe 9 years ago

Nice breakdown! I saw the original Annie movie when it came out when I was five, so I am going to rewatch it this weekend. The new version WAS very entertaining.

Thanks!  Yeah! They are both entertaining but in different ways! The new version is just more up-beat and fun! It's more "bright" with it's location/outdoor shots. You get a lot of New York out of this one!

For what I can recall, I think the other girl was a great singer. The new girl really wasn't, but oddly enough it made the story feel more realistic

Yeah...Aileen Quinn. I don't know what happened to her but she had a nice "pure" voice! Maybe she grew out of it! Yeah, I don't know how much of the new girl's voice is hers, but she is an enjoyable watch!

As a kid, I DO remember being afraid of Carol Burnett's character. Yet, she was verrrrrry funny. For some reason, I remember something about rats.

I have to say Carol Burnett went BALLS OUT on her performance. I mean she did not hold back one bit! I have to admire a woman willing to just let the outrageousness out in a performance that is kind of pathetic and villainous at the same time. I like Cameron Diaz's take on it though. She also put herself "out there" and she managed to come off funny, comedically villainous, and sympathetic all in the same movie!

On November 6, 2012 god blessed America...again. 