On the VHS tape of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, this was a nice introduction by SUSAN LUCCI to the MGM film starring Betty Hutton and Howard Keel.
Susan gives a little background first, on the show's title character Annie Oakley and her famous tours with Buffalo Bill and Frank Butler. Then she talks about the stage version that was a huge success with Ethel Merman on Broadway.
Finally, she gets to the troubled beginnings of the MGM version which was to star JUDY GARLAND and HOWARD KEEL. All sorts of production problems cropped up unexpectedly. FRANK MORGAN (Buffalo Bill) died after completing a couple of scenes and had to be replaced by LOUIS CALHERN. Then Howard Keel broke his leg and had to spend time in a cast while it healed and scenes were shot around him. Then Judy Garland began behaving temperamentally, obviously not feeling well enough to perform. Two of her numbers are shown, "Doin' What Comes Naturally" and "I'm an Indian Too". Both are dismal.
In both numbers, she appears gaunt and slightly unfocused. Nor is the choreography for the Indian number anything like the one that Betty Hutton ended up doing. Susan Lucci had earlier commented that this Indian number was cut from the revival of the Broadway show in the '90s because it was considered "politically incorrect". It turned out to be one of Hutton's peak moments in the film, demonstrating her comic talent.
At any rate, Judy's performance on both numbers is lacking in spirit, although her voice sounds strong enough. She seems to be just going through the paces and looks thoroughly worn out. Shortly afterwards, she was fired and replaced by Hutton.
Then, after both clips are shown, Susan introduces the MGM film starring Hutton and Keel.
An interesting way to begin the movie, informative and entertaining.
Susan gives a little background first, on the show's title character Annie Oakley and her famous tours with Buffalo Bill and Frank Butler. Then she talks about the stage version that was a huge success with Ethel Merman on Broadway.
Finally, she gets to the troubled beginnings of the MGM version which was to star JUDY GARLAND and HOWARD KEEL. All sorts of production problems cropped up unexpectedly. FRANK MORGAN (Buffalo Bill) died after completing a couple of scenes and had to be replaced by LOUIS CALHERN. Then Howard Keel broke his leg and had to spend time in a cast while it healed and scenes were shot around him. Then Judy Garland began behaving temperamentally, obviously not feeling well enough to perform. Two of her numbers are shown, "Doin' What Comes Naturally" and "I'm an Indian Too". Both are dismal.
In both numbers, she appears gaunt and slightly unfocused. Nor is the choreography for the Indian number anything like the one that Betty Hutton ended up doing. Susan Lucci had earlier commented that this Indian number was cut from the revival of the Broadway show in the '90s because it was considered "politically incorrect". It turned out to be one of Hutton's peak moments in the film, demonstrating her comic talent.
At any rate, Judy's performance on both numbers is lacking in spirit, although her voice sounds strong enough. She seems to be just going through the paces and looks thoroughly worn out. Shortly afterwards, she was fired and replaced by Hutton.
Then, after both clips are shown, Susan introduces the MGM film starring Hutton and Keel.
An interesting way to begin the movie, informative and entertaining.