STATE THEATRE

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 72, 26 March 1936, Page 12

STATE THEATRE

BARBARA STANWYCK SUPERB IN “ANNIE OAKLEY” Tho 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," which is now screening at the State Theatre and in which Barbara Stanwyck stars. 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 tho world has ever known. Backgrounding 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 one of America’s greatest actresses. A young girl who supplies the market by shooting quail through the 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 tho 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 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 tho man she faced in her debut exhibition at tile 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 of Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull are faithfully, dramatised. The picture boasts an assemblage of Hollywood’s most seasoned players.