Little Orphan Annie

Origin

Orphaned at a young age, Annie was brought up in an orphanage. The orphanage was a difficult place to grow up, and Annie regularly suffered abuse at the hands of the matron. At the age of eleven she was taken in on a trial basis by Mrs Warbucks, the wife of the incredibly wealthy Oliver Warbucks. Warbucks instantly takes a liking to the girl, who calls him “Daddy”. Despite this, the pair are separated when Mrs Warbucks sends Annie back to the orphanage. After some time apart during which Annie runs away from the orphanage, the pair are reunited.

Creation

Annie was created by Harold Gray primarily for the newspaper market. She made her first appearance in comic books in 1926, with the release of Little Orphan Annie #1.

Major Story Arcs

Little Orphan Annie

Annie has various adventures, realistic and fantastical, with her dog Sandy at her side, and frequently with the assistance of Daddy Warbucks. During her adventures she deals with gangsters, communists, Nazis, corrupt businessmen and juvenile delinquents, among many other antagonists.

Other Media

Film

Little Orphan Annie

Annie appears as the main character in this 1932 film adaptation of the original newspaper strip. She is portrayed by Mitzi Green.

Little Orphan Annie

Annie is the main character in this 1938 film adaptation of the original comic. She is portrayed by Ann Gillis.

Annie

Annie appears as the main character in this adaptation of the 1977 stage musical of the same name, itself an adaptation of the original comic. She is played by Aileen Quinn.

Newspaper

Little Orphan Annie

Annie was originally created for this widely syndicated newspaper comic strip. It ran from August 5th, 1924 to June 13th, 2010.

Radio

Little Orphan Annie

Annie appears as the main character in this radio program, which aired between 1930 and 1942. Between 1930 and 1933 there were two separate casts performing the program, one in Chicago and one in San Francisco. When the show went national the Chicago cast was retained. In San Francisco, Annie was voiced by Floy Margaret Hughes. In Chicago she was voiced by Shirley Bell. Briefly between 1934 and 1935 she was voiced by Bobbe Dean. She was voiced by Janice Gilbert between 1940 and 1942.

Television

Annie: A Royal Adventure!

Annie appears as the main character in this 1995 television movie, set in England. She is portrayed by Ashley Johnson.

Annie

Annie appears as the main character in this 1999 adaptation of the 1977 stage musical of the same name. She is portrayed by Alicia Morton.

Theater

Annie

Annie appears as the main character in this loose musical adaptation of the original newspaper comic. The show ran between 1977 and 1983. It has seen numerous revivals. The role of Annie was originated on stage by Andrea McArdle.

Annie 2: MIss Hannigan’s Revenge

Annie appears as the main character in this flop sequel to the original musical.

Annie Warbucks

Annie appears as the main character in this more successful sequel. The role of Annie was originated by Kathryn Zaremba.