Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who was the main character of the comic strip 'Little Orphan Annie'?
Who was the main character of the comic strip 'Little Orphan Annie'?
Annie
In which decade did 'Little Orphan Annie' gain immense popularity as a comic strip?
In which decade did 'Little Orphan Annie' gain immense popularity as a comic strip?
1930s
When did the radio show based on 'Little Orphan Annie' begin?
When did the radio show based on 'Little Orphan Annie' begin?
1930
What motivated lyricist Martin Charnin to create a musical adaptation of 'Little Orphan Annie'?
What motivated lyricist Martin Charnin to create a musical adaptation of 'Little Orphan Annie'?
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Why did the adaptation team decide to tell their own story for the musical, rather than directly adapting Gray's comic strips?
Why did the adaptation team decide to tell their own story for the musical, rather than directly adapting Gray's comic strips?
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Study Notes
Annie's History on Stage and Screen
- Annie is a 1977 musical written by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan, based on Harold Gray's comic strip "Little Orphan Annie".
- The comic strip debuted in the New York Daily News on August 5, 1924, and followed the adventures of Annie and her wealthy benefactor, Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks.
- The comic strip was popular with adults and children, who enjoyed its political commentary and Annie's scrappy and youthful character.
The Origins of "Little Orphan Annie"
- The character of Annie was originally inspired by a real-life orphan and was first titled "The Elf Child" in an 1885 poem.
- The poem was later titled "Little Orphan Allie" and then "Little Orphan Annie" due to a printing error.
- Harold Gray's comic strip borrowed its name from the popular poem.
Radio and Film Adaptations
- In 1930, a radio show starring Annie began in Chicago and went national in 1931.
- Two films, both titled "Little Orphan Annie", were released in 1932 and 1938, but were not successful.
The Musical Adaptation
- Lyricist Martin Charnin pitched the idea of a musical adaptation to book-writer Thomas Meehan and composer Charles Strouse in 1972.
- Charnin was drawn to the "richness of the character of Annie" and her mythic status in American culture.
- The team decided to use the main characters from the comic strip as inspiration, but to tell their own story with more three-dimensional characters.
- The story was set in the 1930s, partially because the writers had lived their childhood in that decade and wanted to re-create the feeling and language of that time.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the history of the classic musical 'Annie' by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan. Explore the evolution of the Broadway production through various shows and motion picture adaptations.
