Little Orphant Annie Analysis

Over the course of the last century, a young orphan by the name of Annie has been plastered amongst a media-driven world. Crawling into the minds and hearts of many, the iconic tale of Annie and her exposure to the world of the social elite has made way for a magnitude of adaptations. Deriving from a 1885 poem, Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley, Annie and her adventures has been illustrated as comic strips (Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray), books (Annie by Thomas Meehan), and musicals (Annie and Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge by Thomas Meehan) (“Little Orphant Annie”)(Cronin)(“Annie {Musical} Plot & Characters”). The latest takes on an Annie adaptation has been met with the big screens. Within the last thirty years, directors John Huston and Will Gluck have released two different versions of the life and journey of a young girl (“Annie” {1982})(“Annie” {2014}) . Amongst the turmoils of America’s Greatest

While Annie still resides in Harlem, the film is influenced by the social and technological advancements of the time. One example of the influential power of social norms shines through in the form of foster care. Ditching a history of orphanage based child care, a modern Annie finds herself within the home of Colleen Hannigan. However, the current portrayal of a young Miss. Hannigan is consumed with the thoughts of her failed acting career and the search for love. With her sights set on herself, a new empowered Annie is able to slip through the cracks of Hannigan’s view. Taking advantage of her freedom, the young girl engages in a very manipulative and street smart nature by exploring the streets. Due to her almost pain free livelihood, Annie’s rise to the life of rich and powerful comes off as a small enhancement rather than a transformational change. Failing in both tension and climax, the modern adaptation takes away the inspirational nature of the