Martin Charnin Movies
Join filmmakers Gil Cates Jr. and Julie Stevens as they set out to speak with over 40 women who appeared in the hit musical Annie as young children while simultaneously exploring the benefits and drawbacks of entering into show business at such a tender age. As a child, co-director Stevens portrayed an orphan in both the Broadway production of Annie and the national tour. Years later, she would set out to see what became of the dozens of women who played orphans in the Broadway production between 1977 and 1983. From their performances in the production to the effect that the hectic schedule had on their childhoods, family lives, and future career prospects, this film offers an intimate look at a major production that helped thousands of children launch their careers in show business. In addition to interviews with Annie creators Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse, actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Martha Byrne, recording artist Joanna Pacitti, songwriter Danielle Brisebois, and MSNBC anchor Dara Brown all discuss what it was like to appear as orphans in the beloved, long-running production. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Julie Stevens, Sarah Jessica Parker, (more)
- 1987
- PG13
Considered one of the great box-office turkeys of its decade, Ishtar was an attempt by writer/director Elaine May and stars Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty to do a modern-day road picture in the style of the much-loved Bob Hope and Bing Crosby comedy classics. Beatty is Lyle Rogers, a dimwitted songwriter who befriends and partners with Chuck Clarke (Hoffman), who is only slightly more intelligent but every bit as untalented. Together the duo dreams of becoming a big-time lounge act, but their songs, with titles like "That a Lawnmower Can Do All That," are unintentionally hilarious. Chuck becomes suicidal, but just when it seems they'll never strike it rich, the boys are offered a shady gig at a North African hotel, entertaining U.S. troops stationed in the tiny nation of Ishtar. On their way to accept the job, Lyle, Chuck, and their blind camel are sidetracked by a mysterious woman (Isabelle Adjani) and a scheming CIA agent (Charles Grodin), who are involved in a rebellion against the country's emir. The memorable songs crafted by Chuck and Lyle were written by actor and composer Paul Williams. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Starring:
- Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, (more)
This family classic is adapted from the Broadway musical, which was based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie. During the Great Depression in New York City, a plucky red-haired scrapper named Annie (Aileen Quinn) is the voice of hope for her fellow orphans who live under the supervision of drunken floozy Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). Annie's spirit is fueled by the belief that her real parents dropped her off at the orphanage with a half of a locket, promising to return for her with the other half. One day, the dingy orphanage is visited by the sophisticated Grace Farrell (Ann Reinking), personal secretary to conservative politician Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney). In order to improve his image, Grace brings Annie to the Warbucks estate for a weeklong visit. Annie quickly wins the hearts of servants and politicians alike, eventually even bringing her song of hope, "Tomorrow," to President Roosevelt in Washington. Warbucks and Grace even go so far as to perform a public search for Annie's parents, creating an opportunity for Miss Hannigan, Rooster (Tim Curry), and Lily (Bernadette Peters) to scam their way to the reward money. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Starring:
- Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, (more)
