Anchors Aweigh

PLOT:

After eight months at sea, sailors Clarence Doolittle and Joseph Brady are granted a four-day shore leave in Hollywood, California. Joe, an incorrigible philanderer, plans to see one of his sweethearts while on leave, and later offers the shy and bookish Clarence advice on how to meet women. Clarence and Joe set out to find their shore leave romances but their plans are soon thwarted by a police sergeant, who demands that they help him with an unusual situation involving a young boy named Donald Martin. The police sergeant explains that Donald has run away from home to join the Navy and refuses to tell the police where he lives. Joe and Clarence easily win Donald’s trust and agree to escort him home, where he lives with his widowed aunt, Susan Abbott. While Joe is eager to avoid any further involvement with the young boy, Clarence falls in love with Susan and promises to return the following day. When Joe and Clarence return to Susan’s, they meet Bertram Kraler, a man Susan hopes will introduce her to the famous maestro José Iturbi. As Susan dresses for her date, Joe, convinced that Bertram is a new suitor who will only get in the way of Clarence’s romantic pursuit of Susan, scares Bertram away by suggesting that Susan is a notorious Navy sweetheart. When Susan learns what Joe has done, she breaks down in tears and believes that her chances at breaking into show business are doomed. Joe tries to comfort Susan but only makes matters worse for himself when he tells her that Clarence and Iturbi are good friends and that he can arrange an audition for her. With her faith in Joe and Clarence restored, Susan takes them to a Mexican restaurant and sings a song for them. While Joe dances with Susan, Clarence meets a friendly waitress, whom he nicknames “Brooklyn,” after their hometown. Realizing that he must honor Joe’s promise to Susan for an audition with Iturbi, Clarence tries unsuccessfully to meet with Iturbi at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Meanwhile, Joe, who has become quite fond of Donald and Susan, tells Donald’s classmates a story about his experience in a mythical kingdom populated by animals: In the kingdom, Joe discovers that the animals that live there are sad because their mouse king has prohibited them from singing. Determined to help the animals, Joe visits their unhappy king and shows him the beauty of song and dance. Joe’s story concludes with the king repealing his edict and allowing the animals to sing. As a new romance develops between Clarence and Brooklyn, Joe falls in love with Susan. One day, Susan has a chance encounter with Iturbi and discovers that Joe and Clarence have been deceiving her and do not really know Iturbi. Feeling embarrassed and betrayed, Susan breaks down in tears. Iturbi, however, understands her situation and arranges a screen test for her. The test is a great success, and Iturbi soon presents Susan at one of his shows. Before returning to his ship, Joe makes amends with Susan, and Clarence and Brooklyn embrace.

REVIEW:

Anchors Aweigh is another lighthearted psuedo-musical that revolves around a couple of guys (this time from the Navy) on leave and the hijinks they endure and incur.

I say psuedo-musical because, while there are a few songs in here, they aren’t the focal point of this film. This isn’t too big of a deal, as the film could do without the songs, but it is advertised as a musical, so one would imagine there would be more music, especially that of the memorable variety. This isn’t the case, though.

One scene in this film that it may very well go down in history being known for without being know for it is the dance routine between Gene Kelly and Jerry the Mouse. sure, this is revolutionary in that it is a mix of live action and animation, which wasn’t commonplace at this time. The reason this scenes is as well known as it will turn out to be has to do with Family Guy. In an episode from a season or two ago, Stewie replaces Jerry in this scene.

Gene Kelly dances. Do I really need to say more? Oh, he does capitalize on his natural comedic talents and his ability of actually act (something that many “stars” of today are not able to do).

Frank Sinatra and Kathryn Grayson show off their vocal and acting pipes, but as I said before, with the songs being scarce it is hard to tell this. however, everyone knows that “old blue eyes” can belt out a tune like no one else. Kathryn Grayson has proven in previous films that she can flex those vocal muscles as well. Listen to her “Waltz Serenade” at the end of the film, if you need further proof.

Before becoming a hologram on Quantum Leap, it appears that Dean Stockwell was a child actor and that this was his first major role. Looking at that cute kid, tis hard to belive that they’re the same person.

Moving on to the story, it really is a good one, albeit a bit overdone. As I said, you could take the songs out (minus the ones directly related to Jose Iturbi) and still have a good film. This is a true sign of a good musical. When the songs can be removed and not have a hue effect on the film , it makes for a much more interesting film.

Anchors Aweigh is not the greatest singing and dancing film from this time, but it is surely one of the most fun to watch. Yeah, so it can be a little cheesy at times…so what? n case you’ve forgotten, this is from the late 40s! Thank good ness no one has tried to remake this true American classic. Speakng of which, I never even relied that I was watching this on 4th of July weekend. I recommend this to everyone. It especially makes for a good 4th of July film fest film. Check it out!

4 out of 5 stars