BFB---They actually re-shot the entire number. Yes, I was a die-hard Annie fan back then, and I know all the trivia, although I've tried to block it out:
1) John Huston signed on to direct the Annie film DESPITE the fact that he openly HATED the song "Tomorrow." Sentimental hogwash, according to him. He is the reason why the actual song "in context" was CUT from the film, played over the titles (at the insistence of Columbia) and only the reprise in the White House remains in the actual plot.
2) Huston originally wanted to add a funeral scene to Annie. I'm not sure who was supposed to die, but that idea quickly faded away. He wanted to make the movie "dark," like Oliver! Perhaps that's why he added a chase scene to the end, with Annie hanging from a bridge. He'd watched Oliver! one too many times. Wrong orphan, John!
3) Easy Street was originally filmed as a HUGE production number with the principle trio venturing out into the streets of NYC. A chorus of millions joined in. Even Huston, who allowed (apparently) a thousand orphans to sing and dance in "Hard Knock Life" decided that was "too much." Nice to know he had his limits, even if they were seven steps beyond everyone else.
4) Andrea McArdle was originally supposed to play the "Star To Be" in the 1982 film. When they decided to kill the number and replace it with the (totally lame) "Let's Go To the Movies," Andrea was "killed" along with the number. FYI, I have a program myself from a performance she gave in Kansas City that announced she was going to appear in this 1982 movie as the "Star To Be."
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22