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Anyone know why the filmmakers gave Frank Butler a fictional name?

posted 11 years ago by Dejael
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Annie Oakley (August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926), born Phoebe Ann Moses, married sharpshooter Frank Butler on August 23, 1876. She was just sweet sixteen, but he was ten years older. Francis E. Butler (1850-–1926), an Irish immigrant, was a well-known traveling show sharpshooter marksman, and in Annie, he had met his match. She changed her name to Annie Oakley soon afterward, and the sharpshooting couple joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1885.

Does anyone know why RKO Radio Pictures gave him the fictional name of Toby Walker in this movie version of their true-life story?

Dejael

[–] Bry-2 11 years ago

To avoid lawsuits is the usual answer. If Butler has an active estate when the film came out (only nine years after his death), they probably felt it was better to change his name than risk getting sued.

Especially that scene where [SPOILER ALERT] he shoots her by accident. Probably never happened.

--If they move, kill 'em!

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

The movie is about Annie Oakley yet the facts were changed to make her story more suitable for a movie. A fictionalized love story was created for the movie to add interest and to give the movie some depth.

Basically, her real life husband was not portrayed. A composite character that has some of his similarities was created in his place. It makes sense a different name would be used to avoid any confusion between the real and the make believe.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]