Script

SIDE 1

 

GRACE

Welcome home, Mr. Warbucks.

WARBUCKS

It’s good to be home.
(notices ANNIE)
Who is that?

GRACE

This is Annie, Mr. Warbucks: the orphan who will be with us for Christmas.

WARBUCKS

That’s not a boy. Orphans are boys.

GRACE

I’m sorry, sir, you just said - orphan. So I chose a girl.

WARBUCKS

Annie huh? Annie what?

ANNIE

Oh, I’m just Annie, Mr. Warbucks, sir. I’m sorry I’m not a boy.

WARBUCKS

Not at all. Well, Annie, I guess we ought to do something special on your first night.
(comes up with an idea)
Would you like to go to a movie?

ANNIE

Gosh, Mr. Warbucks, I’ve never been to one.

WARBUCKS

Then we will go to the Roxy. Grace, you’ll come, too, of course. Drake, get our coats.

DRAKE

Yes, sir. Which car will you be wanting, sir?

WARBUCKS

We’ll walk. It’s only 45 blocks.
(GRACE, ANNIE, and WARBUCKS begin strolling as various NEW YORKERS enter.)

 

SIDE 2

 

(WARBUCKS is waiting in his office for ANNIE. He is holding a box from Tiffany’s. ANNIE finally arrives wearing the iconic Little Orphan Annie red dress.)

ANNIE

Hello.

WARBUCKS

Annie, can we have a man-to-man talk?

ANNIE

You’re sending me back to the orphanage, right?

WARBUCKS

Of course not. (pause) I’ve realized something. No matter how much money you’ve got, if you have no one to share your life with, then you might as well be broke. Here.
(WARBUCKS hands ANNIE the box.)

ANNIE

For me? Gee, thanks, Mr. Warbucks.

WARBUCKS

It’s a silver locket, Annie. I noticed that old, broken one you always wear.
(ANNIE looks upset.)
Annie, what is it?

ANNIE

This locket, my Mom and Dad left it... when they left me at the orphanage. I know I’m real lucky being here with you for Christmas, but... the one thing I want in all the world... is to find a mother and father. And be like other kids.
(ANNIE starts to cry. WARBUCKS comforts her.)

WARBUCKS

It’ll be all right... I’ll find them... I’ll find your parents for you.

ANNIE

Thank you, Mr. Warbucks. Thank you.

 

SIDE 3

 

HEALY

Welcome back to America’s favorite radio program, the Oxydent Hour of Smiles, starring, Bert Healy. And good evening, Oliver Warbucks and Annie.

WARBUCKS

Thanks Mr. Healy. I am conducting a nationwide search for Annie’s parents. Furthermore, I’m offering fifty thousand dollars to any persons who can prove they are Annie’s parents.

ANNIE

Wow.

HEALY

So, Annie’s parents, if you’re listenin’ in, write to Oliver Warbucks care of this station. Well, I can see by the old clock on the wall that another of our Thursday-night get-togethers has gone by faster than you can say Oxydent. Yes, this is your....

 

SIDE 4

 

ANNIE

Really?
(ROOSEVELT enters in his wheelchair, pushed by his aide, LOUIS HOWE.)
Merry Christmas, President Roosevelt.

ROOSEVELT

Merry Christmas, Annie. Annie, early this morning, FBI Director Hoover succeeded in tracing the identity of your parents.

ANNIE

Yes. Mr. and Mrs. Mudge.

ROOSEVELT

No, dear. David and Margaret Bennett.

ANNIE

But -

WARBUCKS

Annie... Annie, your mother and father passed away. A long time ago.

ANNIE

You mean I’m an orphan, after all.

WARBUCKS

Are you all right, Annie?

ANNIE

Yes. Because I know they loved me. And they would have come for me if they weren’t...
(pause, suddenly tougher)
...Now, who the heck are Ralph and Shirley Mudge?

GRACE

Nobody knew about the locket except us.

WARBUCKS

And the FBI of course.

ANNIE

And Miss Hannigan.