Who was supposed to play Annie Oakley in "Annie get Your Gun" but was eventually replaced?

"Annie Get Your Gun" is a 1950 American musical Technicolor comedy film loosely based on the life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer release, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and a screenplay by Sidney Sheldon based on the 1946 stage musical of the same name, was directed by George Sidney.

Judy Garland, MGM's biggest musical comedy star, was originally cast as Annie Oakley. She recorded all her songs for the soundtrack and worked for two months under the direction of Busby Berkeley and dance director Robert Alton. Despite several production and casting problems (Judy Garland was fired from the lead role after a month of filming in which she clashed with the director and repeatedly showed up late or not at all).

Betty Hutton was then chosen to played Annie Oakley, with Howard Keel (making his American film debut) as Frank Butler and Benay Venuta as Dolly Tate. Louis Calhern played Buffalo Bill, replacing Frank Morgan, who died in 1949. The film won the Academy Award for best score and received three other nominations. Betty Hutton was recognized with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

30 Comments

Irene A

Such a shame that Judy Garland was so messed up, a great lady but a sad lady

William Laughlin

Dossie M Terrell, You need to brush up on Audrey Hepburn's films. Although her voice was dubbed over with the voice of Marnie Nixon, she played the leading female role of Eliza Doolittle in the film version of the musical, My Fair Lady and actually sang, as the leading lady, Holly Golightly, in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Henry Mancini specifically wrote Moon River for her and her limited vocal range.

Stephen Forest

Had no idea, but she seemed like the best fit for the role

Eddie Harper

Poor Judy. Axed from "Annie" and "Valley of the Dolls".

Lindsay Fussell

Angel Attanasio, my thoughts exactly

earlepg

Yet again I talk myself out of the correct answer.

Char

goosenbuster, I agree I go through stints that I hardly miss any not as much lately though. Other times I can't seem to get one Right asking majority. Which goes to show we all do it

Char

Got it and it was a very good musical

tbear

One of favorite musicals with Betty Hutton! I waited along time for it to be shown on TCM so I could tape it.

goosenbuster

Susan Cece MacVicar, hang in, some days I don't know what the hell I'm being asked and do a fair share of educated guessing. No one here is as smart as they'd like to be.

goosenbuster

Never a huge fan of hers, too full of herself

ninakamwene

Lucky guess never saw it.

Stephen Liebman

I agree with Markus Csak completely. The question was poorly worded and should have been reviewed better.

Markus Csak

You failed to note weather it was the film of the stage play. This play was "originally" written for Ethel Merman. Had you said film, people would have had a better chance to know what you were talking about. I don't care how many questions you posted to this site, you should be more honest in your en-devours with the information.

Robin Heckler

The best version I ever saw of this was a wonderful local stage production. I'm sure the actress who played Annie was far less temperamental than Judy as well.