The Glory of Buffalo Bill Lives Again

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 11

The Glory of Buffalo Bill Lives Again

BARBARA STANWYCK SUPERB IN “ANNIE OAKLEY”

(State: Screening Wednesday Nest.)

The days of Buffalo Bill, Sitting Bull and Ned Buntline—days of super-showmanship which the shrinking citadels of American entertainment have rarely seen sinco —are dramatised in all their stirring romance and red-blooded action in “Annie Oakley,” with Barbara Stanwyck starred.

Brewed of many pungent ingredients drawn from actual events, “Annie Oakley” presents the romantic career of its title character, probably the greatest rifle shot, man or woman, that the world has ever known. Background; ing this sometimes amazing, sometimes breath-taking chronicle, is the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in which the principals took part and which flourished during the hectic eighties.

Barbara Stanwyck imparts to her role of Annie Oakley the artistry and versatility which have established her as ono of America’s greatest actresses. A young girl who supplies the market by shooting quail through the head w T ith singlo sot cartridges, Annie Oakley is

induced to face Toby Walker, expert marksman. Her exhibition tosses her eventually to brilliant heights and a placo among the important women of all time. She joins Buffalo Bill’s show, and is acclaimed tho country over. Annio was like other women, although her vocation was that of a man. iSho falls in love with Toby, despite their bitter professional rivalry. Her romance with her opponent is hampered by the jealousy of Buffalo Bill’s partner, who is in love with Annie. A hurt, sustained by Toby, in turn leads to his accidentally wounding Annie, affording tho picture a denouement which gives an appreciation of the warm, tender, gentle, loyal woman that was Annie Oakley. ‘‘Annie Oakley’'’ adheres to historical fact. It is a matter of knowledge that Annie Oakley married the man she faced in her debut exhibition at the Cincinnati Gun Club. The picture also recounts the origin of the term “Annie Oakleys” as a synonym for gratis .theatre tickets. Incidents in tho lives of Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull arc faithfully dramatised. Tho picture boasts an assemblage of Hollywood’s most seasoned players.