Sunday, October 2, 2011

203. Boxed: ANNIE

Little Orphan Annie was a popular U.S. comic strip created by Harold Gray (1894–1968) and syndicated by Tribune Media Services. The strip took its name from the 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley, and made its debut on August 5, 1924 in the New York Daily News. By 1937, it was rated #1 comic strip. As expected, it inspired a radio show in 1930, film adaptations by RKO in 1932 and Paramount in 1938 and a Broadway musical Annie in 1977. The original production ran from April 21, 1977 to January 2, 1983 and was staged internationally. "Annie" has also been adapted to film twice, in 1982 and in 1999 the better known being perhaps the former, directed by John Huston and starring Aileen Quinn as Annie, Albert Finney as Warbucks, Ann Reinking as his secretary Grace Farrell, and Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan. (Lea Salonga also was our very own Pinoy 'Annie" and this role would forever be associated with her). Songs from the musical include "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard Knock Life".

Capitalizing on the broad appeal of this carrot-haired girl who sang "The sun will come out tomorrow", like there was no tomorrow, Aldaddin issued this metal lunchbox in 1981, complete with a plastic thermos. This vintage example, with a current market price from $35-$50-- has never been used and is in impeccable condition, so bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, it is certain to increase in value!

1 comment:

  1. I love the 1982 film adaptation. Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Ann Reinking were all marvelous performers. It was such an unforgettable movie, and the songs are the same, too. One of my all-time favorites ever since my childhood days. :D

    ReplyDelete