Python Hyena Annie Oakley (1935): Dir: George Stevens / Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Preston Foster, Moroni Olsen, Chief Thunder Bird, Melvyn Douglas: Inspiring comedy about the legendary fast shooter Annie Oakley whom is discredited for her gender but quickly proves herself when up against famed shooter Toby Walker. It is done with a lot of flair and enthusiasm, much of which is provided through the lead. Directed with skill by George Stevens who is lucky enough to have characters that rise above the conventions, and a screenplay that does the landmark of inferior versions. Barbara Stanwyck brings out the cheer and determination of Oakley who discovers romance and the ability to give second chances. Preston Foster steals scenes as Walker whose ego surrenders to his competition. Thankfully this isn't reduced to some cliché ridden bore, but rather done with wit and charm. Moroni Olsen as Buffalo Bill the promoter is more straight forward yet amusing. Chief Thunder Bird is hilarious as native Sitting Bull who struggles to adapt to the complicated simplicity around him. Many of his scenes provide the film's biggest laughs. This may be just about the best version of this story to be made. It is a well made film that would be redone countless times, but this is just about the best the story can receive. It addresses gender differences and the ability to unite despite our differences and personalities. Score: 9 ½ / 10

SimonJack Other reviewers have noted the fictional aspects of much of this film. The most significant of note are that Oakley wasn't Annie Oakley's real name, but chosen later as a stage name; and that she was married early on to Frank Butler, whose name and character were changed substantially to Toby Walker. Of course, the latter plays out in much of the film, so it may give the impression that the whole movie is fiction. But most of the incidents that take place – Annie's marksmanship, her hunting prowess, her time with Buffalo Bill, the European tours, her shooting a cigarette held in his mouth by the Austrian arch-duke – all happened. So, there's little point in further criticism of Hollywood license.In the early part of the film, it struck me that Barbara Stanwyck was a bit too demure in the title role. I got used to the persona as the film progressed, yet I still felt there was a stiffness in her portrayal. But, after watching the movie I read some of the biography of Annie Oakley (nee Phoebe Ann Moses). She was a reserved person in real life – very polite, kind and proper. She was born in rural Ohio to Quaker parents. She lost her father when she was six, and spent several years in abusive foster homes. At age 12, she was reunited with her mother and siblings. Beginning at about age 8, she taught herself to shoot game, and that helped support her family for many years. She was very respectful of other people, and endeared herself to Buffalo Bill and many of the cast of his famous Wild West Show (the "Show" was added later). While Hollywood completely remade her love life in this film, Oakley did have a long, lasting love with fellow sharp-shooter Frank Butler, whom she married in 1876. She was just 16 and had recently beaten Butler in a shooting contest in the 25th round. The couple began performing in shows and that's when Oakley chose her stage name. When she was 25, the couple joined Buffalo Bill in his Wild West show. So, Stanwyck's portrayal of the persona of Annie Oakley seems right on target. All the rest of the cast do banner jobs in their roles in this film. And the direction, cinematography and other technical aspects are all excellent. I give this movie a plus for historical value in showing us a considerable display of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Or at least, what much of it must have looked like. I don't think another film has been made that shows this much of that great historical treasure of America's past. The fact that RKO put this much of a show together for its script is quite impressive, I think. Especially for 1935. Other films have been made about Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley and the West, with some reference to the Wild West Show. But no other film gives us such an extended look at what it must have been like. One last note that viewers may find of interest. From the mid-1880s until 1911, Buffalo Bill Cody owned and lived on a 4,000-acre ranch, that he called the Scout Rest Ranch, just outside North Platte, Nebraska. As the name implies, his show put up and rested there between its tours. It also was a working ranch where Buffalo Bill raised some of the blood stock for his shows. Today, 25 acres of the original ranch are preserved as a working history state park near North Platte, NE. Cody's huge Victorian house still stands, as well as his custom-designed barn. The barn was used in photos to promote his shows. It is 148 feet long, 70 feet wide and 40 feet high. Travelers can tour the park and facilities. It's just minutes off Interstate 80 at North Platte.

ccthemovieman-1 Barbara Stanwyck, as I have mentioned in other reviews, was a tough woman but a likable one, at least with me. I don't normally go for those tough dames but her voice and personality she brought to a lot of roles always attracted me. A case in point was this movie. I doubt if another actress would have made this a better-than-average film, which Stanwyck did.Preston Foster's character in here, meanwhile, undergoes one of the fastest transformations I've ever seen on film, from arrogant pig to very likable good guy in no time at all. In fact, he turned out to be such a good guy that parts of this film, where "Toby Walker" was wronged, are difficult to watch.There's a little humor also thrown in this western, mainly involving "Sitting Bull." It's been a long time since I've seen this film but I would definitely watch it again if it came out on DVD.

bkoganbing Annie Oakley (1860-1926)born in dire poverty and without spending one day in a school room, became one of the great feminist icons of all time. Talk about taking a man on in his game and beating him. It was not press agent ballyhoo about her prowess as a rifle shot. This romanticized biographical film captures the essence of her character and her love for the guy she dethroned as shooting champion.In some spots of the film you can practically drop the songs that Irving Berlin was later to write for his hit show about Annie. But we get a different picture of Frank Butler than in Annie Get Your Gun. Butler is not even Butler, he's Toby Wheeler as played by Preston Foster. He's a kid from the mean streets of New York City who learned his sharpshooting in the shooting galleries on the Bowery. He doesn't near and endear himself to the westerners working at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. In fact they hate Foster so much that whatever qualms they had about Annie being a member of the female sex the crew gets over real fast.Barbara Stanwyck captures the real Annie if not in height in spirit. The real Ms. Oakley was barely five feet tall, but by all accounts she was a modest retiring type who never forgot where she came from. She was not as raucous as Ethel Merman on stage and later Betty Hutton on screen portrayed her. She let her shooting speak for her. Melvyn Douglas has the third lead as William F. Cody's business partner Jeff Hogarth. Melvyn usually lost the girl to bigger name players though he was always a gentleman as he is here. Personally I wish he had done better in this film especially.Annie Oakley is a nice film, not as well known as the musical later derived from her life, but still easy to take with good players at their best.