May 30th, 2012 
Beyond the Marquee 
Beyond the Marquee talks to the star of ANNIE; Aileen Quinn
June 18th, 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the 1982 musical family film which inspired little girls around the world to sing, dance and harness a fiery spirit far into tomorrow; ANNIE.
Aileen Quinn as Annie, Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan and Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks ignited the screen in the this decades old timeless classic. Now, next week, in celebration of the 30 year Annie’versary, we’ve got an Exclusive Interview with the little orphaned redhead herself, all grown-up. She’ll be on hand to not just fill you in on all the singing and dancing she’s been doing since the film’s debut all those years ago, but answering YOUR questions (aka Q&A’nnie).
If you have a question, comment or maybe wanted to share a special memory that was inspired by Aileen or the film itself, leave it with us in the comment box below, then check back the week of the 18th for our very special episode!
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An interesting choice to get into Rock-a-Billy, how did she get into performing that genre and what does she love most about performing and singing again?
I am wondering, actually, since ANNIE is coming back to broadway in the fall, will she come out to NY to do any kind of promotion? Is she involved at all with this new production? Also, what did she feel like when she first realized she got the role? Did she know what an impact she would have?
For me, being in ANNIE was really what made me fall in love with theatre. I remember walking on to the stage when I was 10 and saying the first line (“pipe down all of ya!”) and just smiling because so many people were watching me and I had crazy butterflies in my stomach! That show is the reason I’m at NYU today, I guess.
Thanks Aileen Quinn
PS: I also have, in my room in LA, some vintage dolls of the characters from the original movie, and a copy of the locket from the movie with a picture of Aileen and Sandy inside! I also have a toy Rolls Royce that daddy warbucks drove in the movie. Hahah super fan.
What was it like working with Carol Burnett, especially given the kind of relationship Annie and Miss Hannigan have onscreen?
Also, I thought it was just so cute how Albert Finney, when worried that he “going wrong” in his dance steps, would look to you and your dancing to see if he was doing it right 🙂
Thanks!
What are Aileen’s thoughts on the new moden remake Will Smith is doing of ANNIE with his daughter Willow?
did she get to keep any costumes or props from the film when it was done shooting? if so, what? if not, what does she wish she had now?
Aileen, I wanted to say I really enjoyed your performance in the film and it’s been a staple in my life for over 2 decades now from listening to the soundtrack on cassette tape, then on CD and now on my iPod. I was curious how often you connect, if at all with any of your old cast members? Carol Burrnett? Tim Curry? Albert Finney? Bernadette Peters? Would be fun if Beyond the Marquee could get all of you back together, but excited they found you for the interview. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that words cant express how powerful both emotionally and positively that movie impacted generations in it’s wake. Thank you. -Samantha
* Editor’s Note – This post trimmed for length and content. *
Dear Aileen Quinn,
I know there are many questions that have already been answered by you. So, I might as well share a personal perspective on how this movie means to me. I first knew of this movie on a VHS preview on “The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli and Baloo.” While I thought the Second Jungle Book wasn’t all that memorable, I wanted to get Annie on VHS because back then, I was interested in Disney and Columbia family movies. Just when I thought I wasn’t going be interested in this movie, I’ve discovered some likeable things out of it from a young age. The musical numbers (preferably “Let’s Go to the Movies” and the finale), Punjab, the orphans, and of course, the vast scale compared to the stage version. Although I claim “Lion King”, “Winnie the Pooh”, and “Toy Story” as my favorites, I believe “Annie” became my first non-Disney movie that I liked.
I didn’t see the movie in its entirely for a long time, but that doesn’t stop me from knowing a little more about it. Apparently, the movie came out during the biggest year of motion pictures. I would love to know how you reacted when an extra-terrestrial was getting more attention than a spunky redhead. Also, the movie was directed by John Huston, one of the greatest film directors from the Golden Age of Hollywood, and had an all-star cast. Carol Burnett, Ann Reinking, and most noticeable, Tim Curry. I was surprised that Tim Curry, the Rocky Horror animated voice legend, took part in this film. Finally, I noticed that some of musical numbers from the 1982 film were new, even being written by the original songwriters from the musical. The NYC number from the 1999 version had a cameo appearance by Andrea McArdle and I’m predicting that you might make a cameo for the new remake starring Willow Smith, but then again, a person can dream.
So, thank you for reading this, I’m sorry if it got a little lengthy, and I hope tomorrow comes for you as well as the many people who were inspired by this underrated classic.
Aileen, when you got the part of Annie in the movie, were you still playing the swing orphan on Broadway? If you were, which orphans did you go on stage for? The movie and stage gave you two different perspectives of the character Annie, which one would you prefer?