Other Women who could have played Ado Annie?

I think Gloria Grahame did an excellent job in the role, and don't think there would have been any reason to consider someone else, but in keeping with the spirit of the topic, how about Shelley Winters? She had played Ado Annie at the tail end of the original Broadway run of "Oklahoma!" in New York, and in 1954/55, she was still considered a Hollywood beauty. Then again, maybe she would have been overly knowing and sophisticated for the more innocent Ado Annie. But on the other hand, Shelley Winters was a consummate actress, and could pull off just about any type of role.

Perhaps I am alone in this view, but I thought Gloria Graham was great in this role.

I like all of your suggestions. I was thinking of Judy Canova as well. If they could have quietened her down a bit for this role. She's very rarely seen. But the Aldo Annie character reminded me of her a bit.

Yes your suggestions all could have done the part but I thought Gloria Grahame was perfect; there is no need to wish for somebody else in the role. She is the definitive Ado Annie, unknown or not. My sister played Ado Annie in our high school production of Oklahoma! and brought down the house. She is definitely an Ado Annie type person with the same personality. I was off to college then so I didn't see her but my parents told me she was great and I can believe it.

I'm thinking Judy Holliday or Jean Arthur.

Betty Hutton is definitely my first choice.

This is my favorite version of Oklahoma, but what stops it from being perfect in my eyes is the casting of Ado Annie. And probably the lack of Lonely Room.

Of course Shirley MacLaine would have been perfect. Song and dance abilities. Acting genius. Great comic chops. Instantly discernible star quality. And she was on the scene at the time. MacLaine's so right for the role I can't help thinking she must
have at least hoped to test for it.
Have never been enthusiastic about the Mamie Van Doren casting. Good looking for sure - and she could carry a tune, I guess. But her onscreen presence always seemed shallow and limited to me. If they wanted a reasonably priced Monroe type, they should have considered Diana Dors. A fine actress with terrific comedy flair. Seems to me good British actors (which Dors certainly was) often had the ability to assume pretty convincing American accents. I'll bet Dors would have aced the part. Plus she was an excellent singer - even made an LP (called "Swingin' Dors") for Columbia in the late 50's.
Redheaded vocalist Teresa Brewer only made one film - a 1953 musical called "Those Redheads from Seattle". But she was extremely good in it. A real natural for pictures. I believe she turned down further screen offers to concentrate on her recording career (still going great guns at the time). Would have been interesting to see if an offer to play Ado Annie in such an event movie would have convinced her to give pictures one more shot. I suspect she'd have been a charmingly feisty delight in the part..

I was going to suggest Peggy Cass but I see someone suggested Judy Canova and I can't top that.
This was really an all star cast as far as secondary characters are considered. The leads HAD to be played by great singers but the rest were expendable. Graham, Whitmore, Steiger, all oscar nominees and Flippen were all at the height of their popularity. Greenwood, well known but nearly retired, got to play the part written for her for the stage which she had to pass due to her health.
Of all the big name musical starts at the time I can see how they got McCrae. MGM wouldn't part with any of their stud farm and I'm sure Warner's could spare McCrae. The casting of Jones was just genius though I've read that R&H had their eye on her for a long time. Which also brings to mind how much control R&H had over their filmed productions. Much more than other Broadway producers. I don't know if this extended to casting though.