Photograph - Gail Davis, "Annie Oakley"
Object number2005.087.01
Date1953-1956
MediumPaper, Ink
Dimensions10 x 9 3/4 in. (25.4 x 24.8 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
Terms
Gail Davis was born Betty Jeanne Grayson on October 25, 1925, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in McGehee, Arkansas. She is best known as TV's "Annie Oakley" and was the first woman to have her own western series. Upon her arrival in Hollywood, Davis began playing small roles in films and television. Western star Gene Autry recognized Gail as "the perfect western heroine" and cast her as the female lead in 15 of his Columbia films and 28 TV episodes of "The Gene Autry Show." Davis went on to star in 81 episodes of her own TV series, "Annie Oakley." Davis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Davis died March 15, 1997.
A color photograph of Gail Davis as Annie Oakley. The photograph is autographed above the right shoulder of Davis (the left side of the photograph), reading, "Sincerest Wishes, 'Annie Oakley.'" Davis's image is set against a blue background. Davis is wearing a white fringed cowgirl outfit. She is sitting on what appears to be a moss-covered rock. One of her hands is in her lap and the other is on her hip. In the bottom left-hand corner is a circular emblem with Annie Oakley curved across the top and a rifle inside the circle. The photograph is trimmed in white.
Status
Not on view
