Barbara Stanwyck Star of “Annie Oakley”

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 71, 25 March 1936, Page 11

Barbara Stanwyck Star of “Annie Oakley”

SEASONED FLAYERS IN SPECIALLY GOOD CAST (State: Screening To-day.) “Annie Oakley’’ adheres to historical fact. It is a matter ot 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 the lives cf Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull are faithfully dramatised. The picture boasts an assemblage oi Hollywood’s most seasoned players. The days of Buffalo Bill, Sitting Bull and Ned Buntline—days of super-show-manship which the shrinking citadels of American entertainment have rarely seen since —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, the film presents the romantic career of its title character, probably the greatest riflo shot, man or woman, that the world has ever known. Backgrounding this sometimes amazing, sometimes breath-taking chronicle, is the Buffalo Bill W ild 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 one of America’s greatest actiesses. A young girl who supplies the market by shooting quail through tho head with single-shot cartridges, Annie Oakley is induced to face Toby Walker, expert marksman. Her exhibition tosses her eventually to brilliant heights and a, place among the important women of all time. She joins Buffalo Bill’s show, and is acclaimed the country over.

Annie was like other women, although her vocation was that of a man. She fails in love with Toby, despite their bitterest professional rivalry. Her romance with her opponent is hampered by the jealousy of Buffalo Bill’s partner, -who is iu iove with Annie. A hurt sustained by Toby, in turn leads to his accidentally wounding Annie, affording the picture a denouement which gives an appreciation of tho warm, tender, gentle, loyal woman that was Annio Oakley.