Anchors Aweigh (1945)

What surprises me here is how good Sinatra is. He's certainly playing against his later cock-sure image. No king of the walk here. Instead his Clarence (note the name) is likable but chock-full of self-doubt. And he's very good at being shy, retiring, and charming in a boyish way. It's a Sinatra as I've never seen him. On the other hand, there's the boldly self-assured Joe (Kelly) who dominates, as the two sailors try to get a big-time audition for the winsome Susan (Grayson). Somehow, however, they can't reach big-time impresario Jose Iturbi. But they and we have a good time trying.Along the way, Kelly gets his legendary dance with cartoon mouse Jerry of Tom & Jerry, looking like it came right out of the Land of Oz. Then too, I like his really charming number with the little Mexican girl (McManus). Overall, however, it's the elaborate sets, glossy Technicolor, and sparkling personalities that shine. Frankly, I thought the musical selections were entertaining but nothing memorable. Also the storyline meanders a bit too much, particularly near the end. Note too how classical numbers are worked into the selections, quite typical for that time. I guess producers wanted to broaden the musical appeal, and lend a touch of 'class'.All in all, the movie's MGM at it's glossy best. And though a bit overlong, the results still fit the classic bill, along with the perfect pairing of the two male leads.

There is a lot of music in this movie which is to be expected for a musical. I found the plot structure to be lacking in this film because of all of the music that they were trying to cram in to the film. Overall, I enjoyed the music although those who have a greater appreciation for music might be able to elaborate more on the positives and negatives of the musical elements of this film. The sound in this film was overall very good and made the film that much more realistic. The cinematography in this film helped to make a little more sense of all the music. The light in some parts of this film was almost overpowering and I think took aweigh (hahaha) from some of the action that was happening on screen.

Surprisingly, I loved this movie. I'm not huge on musicals, but this movie was done incredibly well. Clarence and Joe were so lovable and such a great duo together. Donald was adorable and really pulled at my heartstrings. The kindness and silliness of Joe and Clarence as a pair was refreshing and I had a smile on my face the ought the entire movie. The songs were fun and light, and I think that's such a great thing to add to movies filmed during this time period. War was so embedded in the every day lives of people, it must've been a nice relief to enjoy leisure time and see a different side of the war- and how soldiers were real people too, and wanted the war to be over more than anyone. I also especially loved the high angles and panning of all of the pianists playing their piano on the stage towards the end of the film, it was a beautiful touch.

At a bloated 143 minutes, there's no way this ambitious musical from MGM can hold together. Gorgeous color photography only shows up the cheap sets and rear projection used for this sound stage-bound film.Frank Sinatra (playing the dope again) and Gene Kelly (he can't act) play two sailors on leave who get saddled with a runaway kid (Dean Stockwell) and his Aunt Susie (Kathryn Grayson in a cloying performance). They get suckered into trying to get her an audition with Jose Iturbi at MGM. Along the way Kelly falls for Grayson and Sinatra gets stuck with a stiff from Brooklyn (Pamela Britton is a lousy performance).Maybe an OK story for the time, but the film is way too long and wanders all over the place, including several dance solos for Kelly and the famous cartoon sequence. Sinatra sings a few songs, Grayson squeals a few more, and Iturbi play piano. Co-stars in small roles include Billy Gilbert, Henry O'Neill, Henry Armetta, Edgar Kennedy, Rags Ragland, Renie Riano, Sharon McManus, and the always annoying Grady Sutton.The boys are such jerks, it's hard to warm up to them, and Grayson is all sugar and light to the point of nausea, and then she sings and sings and sings. Iturbi probably comes off best, and his Hollywood Bowl sequence is indeed excellent. Most annoying of all is Pamela Britton with her hideous attempt at a Brooklyn accent. MGM couldn't find an actress who could do the accent? Moider! At one point, Grayson is sitting in a theater next to 2 old ladies. In the next cut the second old lady (who looks like Mae Marsh) is a completely different woman.This one ridiculously won Oscar nominations for best film and for Gene Kelly as best actors. Moider!