Annie Across Two Generations: Mine and Now My Daughter’s! We Can’t Wait! #AnnieMovie

I could barely contain myself when I first heard about a new “Annie” movie coming to theaters on December 19. I remember seeing the preview and getting actual tears in my eyes. I love the story of Annie so much! It’s a very happy-sad story. It reminds me of my childhood. Not the actual story, itself, just the movie. It was one of my favorites when I was a little girl.

Here’s a synopsis of the new Annie movie:

A Broadway classic that has delighted audiences for generations comes to the big screen with a new, contemporary vision in Columbia Pictures’ comedy Annie.  Director/Producer/Screenwriter Will Gluck teams with producers James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith & Will Smith, Caleeb Pinkett, and Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, Laurence “Jay” Brown, and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith with a modern telling that captures the magic of the classic characters and original show that won seven Tony Awards. Celia Costas and Alicia Emmrich serve as Executive Producers.  The screenplay is by Will Gluck and Aline Brosh McKenna, based on the musical stage play “Annie,” book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and on “Little Orphan Annie,” © and ® Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014.  Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz).  But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) – advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) – makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in.  Stacks believes he’s her guardian angel, but Annie’s self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it’s the other way around.
 

As a little girl, I absolutely adored the original  “Annie” and would watch it anytime I got the chance. I remember being out in public and having people ask my mom, if I was Aileen Quinn, the actress who played “Annie” in the original movie made for the big screen. It happened more than once, too. What do you think? Do we look alike? (no I’m not naturally blonde) I’d say at least totally different noses!

(photo credit for top and left photo: Aileen Quinn IMDb)

My most favorite scene in the original “Annie” movie was when they performed “Hard Knock Life“. I remember being in awe of all the orphans doing back handsprings on their beds and was amazed by their gymnastics in that scene. I actually think there was more of that in the original “Hard Knock Life” than the newest one.

My other favorite part about the original was the soundtrack. I knew (and still know) ALL of the lyrics to ALL of the songs! I even bought the soundtrack as an adult and used to drive around doing some pretty epic car karaoke, just please don’t ask for a demo.

At some point a couple of years ago, Emi also got hooked on the original “Annie” movie. It’s fun to see her love something that was so special to me as a young girl. We have watched it together so many times and she, too, enjoys listening to the soundtrack. We’re both equally excited for the December 19th release! It can’t get here soon enough! I know it’s going to be adorable!

Are YOU a big Annie fan? Have you seen the original? Are you looking forward to the new one like we are? 

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