Martin Charnin - Annie (1999 Television Film)

The cast of Disney's 1999 television production of Annie reads like a who's who of Tony winners: Grace is played by Audra McDonald (Ragtime, Carousel, Master Class), Rooster is Alan Cumming (Cabaret), and Lily is Kristin Chenoweth (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown). Add Alicia Morton (Young Cosette in Broadway's Les Misérables) in the title role and Victor Garber (Sweeney Todd, Assassins) as Daddy Warbucks, and you have a cast that is refreshingly not driven by Hollywood box office, other than Kathy Bates as Miss Hannigan.

Resumés aside, how is the soundtrack? Well, McDonald might be a touch operatic and Garber a little young, but these are minor quibbles with a cast that is effective throughout (even Bates). Morton might not be the belter Andrea McArdle was in the original cast, but she's very good, and if anything the difference makes her sound like the little girl she is. Perhaps the best moment is McArdle--still sounding great at the ripe old age of 35--making a brief cameo as the star-to-be in "N.Y.C." Longtime fans of the show will notice that, in order to fit a two-hour prime-time window, the production had to leave out most of the historical context of the FDR administration ("A New Deal for Christmas," "We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover"), as well as some other familiar numbers ("You Won't Be an Orphan for Long," "Annie"). This soundtrack is thus best considered a souvenir of the television production or a complement to, rather than a replacement for, the original cast recording. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

Anniie -- Uplifting Experience!

Love the TV movie! Especially love the TV-version soundtrack! A truly enjoyable, uplifting experience with a great cast! Whether you've seen the movie or not, you'll enjoy this soundtrack. It will lift your spirits to a whole new level. One of my top-ten favorite soundtracks, and I've collected hundreds! I highly recommend this for anyone at any age. Absolutely love it!
February 22, 2008

The Original Cast Wins Over

Andrea McArdle can never be replaced, and though this movie's version plays closer to the musical, I feel that if you want a timeless classic cd of this wonderful musical, get either the Original Broadway cast recording or the 1982 Aileen Quinn film soundtrack. Though the 1982 film wasn't closest to the musical, the singing was better in some respects. Alicia Morton was good but sounded too high pitched and young for an 11 year old Annie. While Aileen and Andrea played Annie as a normal down to Earth kid, Alicia seemed to be trying to sound like a pop star. I feel that you should most certaintly get the Original or the 1982 version if you want a good recording, because the 1999 one cannot compare aside from decent performances by the adults. April 12, 2006

Pretty Good

The soundtrack is pretty good, but the movie sucks. Alicia Morton has a little girl vioce, not that its a bad thing. Aileen Quinn, the older Annie, had a more mature vioce. Both very different but absoulutely brilliant in their own style. July 9, 2005

MY FAVORITE MUSICAL

I was in a version of this 2 years ago. I LOVED being in it!! I was an orphan, it was so fun. I had the origional movie version of this movie. But when I saw this version in store and I had to own it. That day I watched it and didn't relly like the changes they made but the music and singing was great! I saw this recording in WalMart and HAD to have it!!! So I bought it and listined to it the second I got home. I just melted when the girl for Annie sang "Tomorrow." This is probly even better than the origional Broadway and Movie. Put together!!!! I LOVED THIS ROCORDING!!!!!! Victor Gardor needs a little work on "Somthing Was Missing" the origional guy from the Broadway recording is MUCH better. But besides that this recording was GREAT. I achual movie is bad, but the recording is SUPERCALAFRAGOLISTEXOIALIDOCOUS!!!!!!!!!! May 24, 2005

If you don't think this is better than the original movie...

...then seek professional help. Everything that people HATE about "Annie" is gone in this version. No annoyingly precocious leading-girl with frizzy curls, Shirley Temple dimples and a voice that makes you want to chew your own foot off. This Annie is just as charming and not at all annoying. Rob Marshall has directed a movie that, in more ways than I have mentioned here, has surpassed and humiliated its predecessor.

And anything with Alan Cumming is worth buying. September 27, 2004

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