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Very well executed

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

A little bit of blarney never hurt anyone, so when Brooklyn born Barbara Stanwyck takes on the role of country gal Annie Oakley, it's a curiosity from the start to see how she's going to pull it off. As it turns out, not badly, as the noticeable but not distracting differences in appropriate accents becomes more charming than laughable. Popular but not yet a superstar, Stanwyck gives a sincere performance as the innocent but not stupid country bumpkin who does everything she can to win the affections of handsome Preston Foster, a fictional version of the real Frank Butler, with enough references to indicate who he is really supposed to be. Corny humor on the side, slight references to real incidents in Oakley's life and an all Americana feel makes this a tall tail of a large life with much to recommend it. The film is close to the later hit musical comedy in many ways other than the fictitious names of real characters; Annie Oakley is discovered not to be "Andy", finds herself in a competition with "Toby" (Frank), blows the contest purposely because "he's so purty", joins Buffalo Bill's wild West show, becomes as cultured as a backwoods girl can be, then manages to land her man in spite of their differences.It's fast paced, action packed, often funny and somewhat sincere in its desire to give at least a small impression of what these traveling shows were like, never once disappointing as strict entertainment. Pert Kelton, best known for the role of Marian's mother in "The Music Man" on stage and screen, is obviously playing the equivalent of Dolly Tate, while leading actor Melvyn Douglas takes on the supporting role of Annie's manager. It's a professional job all 'round, and you might find yourself singing Irving Berlin songs from the show even though this isn't a musical.

Annie O. opens with the townies sitting around, and Annie Oakley (Barbara Stanwyck) is one of em. They see the poster of Toby Walker, the "Greatest shot in the World"! Her buddies talk about what a good shot Annie is herself, so there's foreshadowing of a showdown of some sort. Willie Best is in here as a chef. Stanwyck had not yet been nominated for any of her FOUR Oscar nominations ( and a win for lifetime achievement!) but she HAD been in films for about five years already, so this is from her early years. There's Melvyn Douglas (TWO Oscars!) as Hogarth, who runs the Western show with Buffalo Bill Cody (Moroni Olsen). Oakley joins up with BB's show, and there's the usual, predictable conflicts. Jealousy from the men, the usual Hollywood story-fare. An entertaining watch, but no big thang. Interesting details in wikipedia.com. It shows that Oakley married first, then joined the Western show later, which if I recall correctly, was reversed in the film. Stanwyck would make three films with Preston Foster. Directed by George Stevens, for RKO. Stevens was nominated for eight Oscars, and won three of em, but the first would be another ten years away. Good old fashioned western fun, but I get the idea that about half of the film was souped up Hollywood style for the audience, to jazz it up. Of course, back then, it was pretty hard to research anything, so this film was probably the only knowledge most people had of Oakley.

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.

I've always loved Annie Oakley. I've always loved Barbara Stanwyck too. I'm sure one is related to the other. This used to be one of those old, mid-morning movies that was shown fairly often. If you stayed home from school, (ahem) SICK, you got to see it. Cowboys, Indians, Buffalo Bill, his Wild West Show, sharpshooting, a (yucky) love story, and the charming and beautiful Barbara Stanwyck. Hmmm, what a way to recover enough to return to school!!! Barbara Stanwyck was a liberated woman playing liberated roles long before it was in vogue.Great license is taken with history, but this film was made when heroes were bigger than life and legend ruled. It's a nicely told story, tracing the life of a young girl, from the backwoods to a life of world-wide celebrity (yes, and love too). "Annie's" skills were real, but she had lots of help learning "showmanship". There are a lot of funny moments, warm moments, and selfless (O Henry type) acts. These "flesh" out the story and lead you right into a joyous ending. (AIN'T LOVE GRAND!)Very nicely done, it will please "new" audiences and old-timers alike. The younger crowd should especially like "Annie Oakley". They don't make movies like this anymore. It's a fitting tribute to Annie Oakley, American legend, and folk hero.....PS--- I gave this a 9 out of 10 rating. I was tempted to give it a 10, after all, it was made in 1935 and is still good....