Two years ago, for reasons lost to history, I was compared to Annie Oakley by one of my colleagues. Annie was a favorite historical figure of mine, but I only knew basic information about her life. I asked Charlie Cooke to recommend a good biography of her, but he didn’t know any — and told me I should write one. After thanking him, I promptly forgot the suggestion and went on my merry way. Until recently, that is, when something piqued my interest in her again. If one has the urge to write a book, it behooves her to find all relevant materials on the subject.
God bless my local library. Thanks to it, I was soon in possession of nine books and two DVDs (allegedly) about the famous sharpshooter. I say “allegedly” because Annie Get Your Gun, while full of fabulously catchy music, is terribly inaccurate. Betty Hutton, talented actress though she was, is much too brash and brassy for the role. It’s a pity that Judy Garland was fired from the role (though it was the right decision — she was too unwell to continue).
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