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| Christmas Day 1932 movie matinee newspaper ad for "Little Orphan Annie" starring Mitzi Green. |
Released November 4, 1932 by RKO Pictures.
With Mitzi Green (as Annie), Buster Phelps, Matt Moore, Edgar Kennedy (as Daddy Warbucks), and May Robeson
Based on "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip by Harold Gray.
From 1932, "Little Orphan Annie" the first big screen adaptation of Harold Gray's little comic strip heroine, isn't "lost" in a traditional sense. A print of this RKO Radio Studios release exists in the UCLA Film and Television Archives. It was released on Betamax and VHS as early as 1983 by Blackhawk Films, again by Critic's Choice Video in 1996, and a few other possibly unauthorized releases on DVD. It has however, never had an official home video release from a clean restored print, and can only be seen today by rare copies of those 1980s and 1990s VHS releases or a random website that may upload it, usually in poor quality. Asides from a few broadcasts on local stations in California in the early 1990s, "Annie" has never been featured on a classic movie channel.
From 1932, "Little Orphan Annie" the first big screen adaptation of Harold Gray's little comic strip heroine, isn't "lost" in a traditional sense. A print of this RKO Radio Studios release exists in the UCLA Film and Television Archives. It was released on Betamax and VHS as early as 1983 by Blackhawk Films, again by Critic's Choice Video in 1996, and a few other possibly unauthorized releases on DVD. It has however, never had an official home video release from a clean restored print, and can only be seen today by rare copies of those 1980s and 1990s VHS releases or a random website that may upload it, usually in poor quality. Asides from a few broadcasts on local stations in California in the early 1990s, "Annie" has never been featured on a classic movie channel.
Contemporary reviews were mixed, favoring "Little Orphan Annie" as a good film for children. In my one viewing of the complete film, I found it to be enjoyable. Mitzi Green (1920-1969), a versatile child actress was well cast as Annie. Green was 12 at the time, although she appeared to be a little older, and the comic character was supposed to 10. Her natural Bronx accent added a nice touch for Harold Gray's street tough orphan. The plot mostly concerned Annie's efforts to help a help little orphan boy (Buster Phelps) while Daddy Warbucks (comedian Edgar Kennedy, who should have had more scenes) is away seeking work.
What makes the film a Christmas flick is the ending, (which I will completely not spoil), that takes place at a Christmas party and the film's release timing. "Annie" was made available to theaters in November just before the holidays and was viewed as appropriate for children. Also there was the crossover appeal of the famous "Little Orphan Annie" radio program on the air at that time. Many movie theater owners took advantage of all this by promoting special Christmas Day screenings of "Annie". Marquee billings and other promotions for those Christmas matiness can easily be found in newspaper databases.
It is hoped that one day a restored version of this film could be re-released on blu-ray or streaming media. When and if that happens, "Little Orphan Annie" could take it's place as a 1930s family classic for the Christmas season along with "Babes In Toyland" (1934), "Scrooge" (1935), and many other films.
What makes the film a Christmas flick is the ending, (which I will completely not spoil), that takes place at a Christmas party and the film's release timing. "Annie" was made available to theaters in November just before the holidays and was viewed as appropriate for children. Also there was the crossover appeal of the famous "Little Orphan Annie" radio program on the air at that time. Many movie theater owners took advantage of all this by promoting special Christmas Day screenings of "Annie". Marquee billings and other promotions for those Christmas matiness can easily be found in newspaper databases.
It is hoped that one day a restored version of this film could be re-released on blu-ray or streaming media. When and if that happens, "Little Orphan Annie" could take it's place as a 1930s family classic for the Christmas season along with "Babes In Toyland" (1934), "Scrooge" (1935), and many other films.
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"Island of Lost Christmas Specials"
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