Gail Davis was the star of the 1954 TV western, "Annie Oakley." Annie took care of her younger brother Tagg, played by Jimmy Hawkins. Gail was perfect for the role of Annie Oakley, in my opinion. Gail had the same personal qualities that she gave to Annie Oakley, in her protrayal of the western hero. The TV  version of Annie was kind, but at the same time a forceful person, who used intellect, and if need be, a six-shooter. Annie Oakley encountered the same problems as other TV western heroes (male) but she never shot anyone. She used the power of intellect & reasoning.

I guess that is the reason that "W" didn't use intellect & reasoning in Iraq - lack of intellect. I tend to go off on tangents, sorry.

The second-to-last acting job that Gail did was on, "The Andy Griffith Show." She played Karen Moore, a cousin of Thelma Lou and was fixed up with Andy. The two matchmakers were Thelma Lou & Barney. Andy didn't believe that Barney was capable of finding a good blind date, but he found out that he was wrong. Karen & Andy found out that they both liked several of the same things. They both enjoyed shooting, music & singing. Andy took her on a date to WATCH HIM SHOOT (boy, Andy really knew how to show a girl a good time.) Barney thought that was a terrible date idea, but Andy & his date thought it was perfect. After the date, Andy was puffed up, with his inflated beliefs of his shooting skills. Some of the hot air was let out when Karen entered a shooting contest & beat Andy. It was a wonderful episode & a great Gail Davis moment.

The photograph below is an "Annie Oakley" coloring book, with Gail Davis pictured. The book can be purchased at TV TOY MEMORIES  



Getting back to the "Annie Oakley" show. The show was top notch, but it only lasted 3 years, with approximately 81 episodes. I was watching an old commercial that Gail Davis & Jimmy Hawkins made for the show's sponsor. They were in character talking about the quality of Carnation products, including one for Carnation ice cream.

While watching the commercial, I saw something familiar with the actor who played Tagg. I checked out the history of the actor and I found out that Jimmy Hawkins was a regular on a lot of 60's TV shows, that I used to watch. I new there was something familar with the young face of Tagg. He played the best friend of Jeff Stone, on the "Donna Reed Show." It wasn't the first time that he acted with Donna Reed. He played Tommy, the five year old son of Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart in the classic movie, "It's A Wonderful Life."

Jimmy made a career of playing second banana "best friends." He also played a "best friend" of Elvis in a few movies. He ended his acting career in 1974, but continued as a producer. He also started a construction business.



A photograph of Jimmy Hawkins and Shelley Fabares, from "The Donna Reed Show."



TV TOY MEMORIES also has several other "Annie Oakley" items for sale. The above pictured, 1954 unused & near mint TV GUIDE can be seen & purchased at the TV Toy Memories website. The site also has an unused Annie Oakley paper doll set & an unused Annie Oakley & Tagg belt, on an unused display card.





You might enjoy the commercial that I was previously referring to. Gail Davis & Jimmy Hawkins are doing an ad for Carnation ice cream.








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