Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley

Year: 1935

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: George Stevens

DramaWestern

The film introduces historic figures such as Col. Cody, Sitting Bull and other legendary gunslingers of the plains as they perform in the spectacular Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show that captivated audiences across two continents. Amid the dazzling spectacle, the shy Annie Oakley finds herself drawn to her talented sharpshooting rival, sparking a passionate romance set against the backdrop of the legendary show.

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Timeline & Setting – Annie Oakley (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Annie Oakley (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

The events unfold in the late 1800s, a period of traveling entertainment and frontier myths. It is a pre-radio, pre-television era when live performances and sharpshooting acts drew wide audiences. The timeline centers on a sequence of showcases, tours, and a climactic reunion in New York.

Location

Ohio backwoods, Cincinnati (MacIvor Hotel), Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, Europe tour, New York City

The story traces Annie Oakley's origins in the rural Ohio backwoods to her rise as a star on Buffalo Bill's Wild West circuit. Key locations include the MacIvor Hotel in Cincinnati where the banquet and auditions take place, and the traveling Wild West show that anchors much of the plot. The narrative sends the action abroad on a Europe tour and culminates in a New York City finale, underscoring the blend of frontier life and celebrity spectacle.

🪶 Ohio backwoods 🏛️ Cincinnati 🎪 Wild West show 🌍 Europe tour 🗽 New York City

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:09

Main Characters – Annie Oakley (1935)

Meet the key characters of Annie Oakley (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Annie Oakley (Barbara Stanwyck)

Annie is a fiercely skilled sharpshooter from rural Ohio who rises to national prominence through the Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. She learns from Toby, demonstrates calm under pressure, and navigates both romantic and professional challenges. Her generosity is evident when she reimburses bets after a match, and she endures heartbreak when misfortune strains her relationship with Toby before a poignant reunion.

🎯 Prodigy 💪 Determined 💖 Romantic lead

Toby Walker (Preston Foster)

A talented but gracious sharpshooter who becomes Annie's love interest and a key part of the Wild West cast. He guides Annie in new tricks and faces the tensions of performance fame, while keeping a protective, supportive stance. His near-injury-turned-triumph and subsequent struggles reflect the fragility of success.

🎯 Sharpshooter 💪 Gentle 💖 Romantic lead

Jeff Hogarth (Melvyn Douglas)

A savvy promoter who signs Toby and helps launch Annie's path to stardom within the Wild West show. He recognizes the power of showmanship and navigates the dynamics of mentorship, romance, and ambition that shape the performers' fates.

🎭 Producer 💼 Ambitious 💘 Complicating presence

Col. William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody (Moroni Olsen)

Buffalo Bill is the show’s impresario, bringing together talent and spectacle. He recruits Annie into the Wild West tour and provides the environment where frontier legends are elevated to fame. He embodies the larger-than-life persona that drives the era's traveling performances.

🎪 Showman 🗺️ Leader 🧭 Legend

Sitting Bull (Chief Thunderbird)

The legendary Sioux leader appears as an audience member who becomes part of the show. His presence underscores the mythic fusion of Indigenous leadership and popular entertainment, and he shares a bond with Annie as the show proceeds. He survives an assassination attempt with Toby's quick action, reinforcing the peril and peril-sharing of frontier spectacle.

🪶 Leader 🗺️ Visionary 🤝 Ally

James MacIvor (Andy Clyde)

A hotel owner who helps kick off the story by arranging Toby's recruitment and orchestrating the banquet where the shooting contest begins. His involvement illustrates the entrepreneurial side of the traveling entertainment world.

🎩 Manager 🏛️ Entrepreneur 🤝 Organizer

Mrs. Oakley (Margaret Armstrong)

Annie's mother who comments that Annie's luck may bring misfortune, influencing Annie's mindset after a pivotal performance. Her line triggers a moment where Annie deliberately misses a shot, revealing the interplay between superstition, trust, and ambition in the family dynamic.

👩‍👧 Motherly 🗣️ Influencer 🧭 Moral voice

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:09

Major Themes – Annie Oakley (1935)

Explore the central themes of Annie Oakley (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Romance

Annie's relationship with Toby Walker provides emotional stakes amid her rising fame. Jeff Hogarth's attention adds tension as he pursues her, complicating the romance. The pair navigate professional ambitions, heartbreak, and a hopeful reunion that frames their bond within the show's world. The romance drives character choices and adds warmth to the frontier spectacle.

🎯 Sharpshooting

The plot centers on marksmanship as a craft that launches Annie's career. The training moments, the head-to-head contest with Toby, and the dramatic near-misses highlight the risks and skill involved. Annie's accuracy and showmanship win audiences, while injuries remind viewers of the cost of fame. The acts themselves are depicted as precision-based performances that define her rise.

🌍 Fame & Frontier

The Wild West show is portrayed as a global platform for frontier legends, elevating Annie and her companions. The European tour and New York finale illustrate how frontier myths become national and international spectacles. Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill symbolize the era's celebrity-crossing cross-cultural interaction. The narrative acknowledges the emotional toll of fame, including dismissal and heartbreak, as part of the frontier legend.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:09

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Annie Oakley Summary

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Annie Oakley Timeline

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Annie Oakley (1935) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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