Printer Friendly - Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by AndrewAndrew 2012-11-26 17:45:07
From the funny pages, to radio, to films, and to the Broadway stage, the phenomenal franchise of Little Orphan Annie is nearing a century of entertaining young and old. In 1924 The original comic strip was created by the notoriously libertarian-leaning Harold Gray after a chance encounter with a real-life scruffy, but charming street urchin named Annie. The strips success gave Gray a pulpit from which to rail against unions, socialism, and FDRs attempts to revitalize the American economy after real life Daddy Warbucks ruined it. The current revival of Annie, now playing at the Palace Theatre, is the 1977 adaptation and it reflects the values of that time. In this version Annies boundless optimism is the inspiration for FDRs New Deal. While Grays hard core ideology is mostly absent, its still a celebration of materialism, wealth, and sugar daddys everywhere.
One of the great American myths is that anyone can make it here if they have enough pluck and the right attitude. The two best known numbers, Tomorrow and Its The Hard Knock Life, express these ideas brilliantly, a fact reinforced by Jay-Zs sampling of the later for the certified gold hit Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem). The fact that Jay-Z and Annie embody the same values with similar results is not proof positive of the merits of the free market. In fact, Jay-Zs need to fund his foray into entertainment with drug money is proof of the opposite; the corrupting influence of capitalism on our country. Unlike Annie, the real poor have scant options for advancement. The fact that for many crime is a stepping stone to pursuing a real career is evidence that capitalism does not work. A well articulated tirade against materialism and gold diggery in his 1998 hit Can I Get A.. suggests Jay-Z may like money, but hes against the outright greediness that stories like Annie tend to prey upon and promote.
When the police bust up the Hooverville shanty town one cant help but think of Occupy Wall Street. With the unsavoriness of our current lot of captains of industry: Trump, The Koch Brothers, and Bernie Madoff, its very reassuring to cling to the warm image of Daddy Warbucks. Its also hard not to take offense every time someone snubs the meek FDR in favor of the charismatic Warbucks. (One of the greatest threats facing our country right now is our bloated military spending and the Military Industrial Complex; the mans name is literally WAR BUCKS for Christs sake people wake up!) Lets hope that Will Smiths rumored remake staring his own kid will bring a more reasonable perspective to this fable where riches magically appear if you just believe enough.
Hip-Hop, capitalism, and the death of The American Dream aside, Lilla Crawford is a pint-sized actor with a gallon of talent. Annie is a must see, fun for all ages! Dont wait until tomorrow to buy your tickets, get them today!
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by sinister teashop 2012-11-26 18:36:05
Investigate AndrewAndrew!!!
Thanks for the info on Harold Gray. I had no idea that that was the original angle of the comic strip.
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by bwayphreak234 2012-11-26 21:07:05
AndrewAndrew - I LOVE your YouTube videos! Glad to see you guys on here 
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by AndrewAndrew 2012-11-27 14:49:07
Thanks!
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by PalJoey 2012-11-27 15:05:10
Interesting analysis.
By the way, which one of you is Andrew and which is Andrew?
(I bet you get asked that a lot, don't you?)
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by FindingNamo 2012-11-27 15:28:40
Andrew is the one on the left and Andrew is the one on the right. Duh.
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by PalJoey 2012-11-27 15:49:16
Actually, I think it's the other way around.
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by TheatreDiva90016 2012-11-27 16:34:45
Which one is the top?
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by Jordan Catalano 2012-11-27 16:37:32
Well Andrew looks like a big ol' bottom so obviously, it's Andrew.
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by PalJoey 2012-11-27 16:58:24
The one with the bowtie.
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by AndrewAndrew 2012-11-27 17:27:25
we get that (any many other questions) quite often!
Our Marxist take on ANNIE
Posted by FindingNamo 2012-11-27 20:46:33
Side Show revival producers, here's your answer.
