Dolls, Paper - Gail Davis, "Annie Oakley"
Object number2011.071.02
Date1956-1960
MediumPaper, Ink
Dimensions11 13/16 x 10 1/4 in. (30 x 26 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
DescriptionCut-out paper dolls of Little Rock native Gail Davis as Annie Oakley.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," and she acted in over 40 films and TV series. Davis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Davis died March 15, 1997.
A folder book of Annie Oakley cut out paper dolls. The front of the book shows a color image of Annie Oakley in the center of a red and white bull’s-eye. The cover features white, black, and blue lettering. To the left of Oakley's image is a belt of bullets, to the right is a blue rifle, and below her is a red pistol. The text reads, "Annie Oakley Cut-Out Dolls with Tagg and Lofty." Published by Whitman Publishing Company of Racine, Wisconsin. There are three paper dolls and a bag of paper doll clothes inside the book - thirty changes of clothing and fifteen hats. On the back of the folder are three black and white photographs of Annie Oakley, a man, and a young boy.
Status
Not on view
