Anchors Aweigh

Overview

This mammoth musical tells the story of two sailors on leave in Hollywood. Brash Gene Kelly has promised his shy pal Frank Sinatra that he will introduce Sinatra to all the glamorous movie starlets. However, the only actress whom Kelly meets is bit player Kathryn Grayson.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/13/2008
UPC:	0883929007608
Original Release:	1945
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Home Video
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	2:20:00
Sales rank:	19,303

Special Features

Closed Caption; Archival interview with animation legens William Hanna and Joseph Barbera; Excerpt from the MGM: when the lion roars documentary series; 3 theatrical trailers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Gene Kelly	Joseph Brady
Frank Sinatra	Clarence Doolittle,Performer
Kathryn Grayson	Susan Abbot,Performer
Jose Iturbi	Actor
Dean Stockwell	Actor
Pamela Britton	La fille de Brooklyn
Rags Ragland	Actor
Sharon McManus	Actor
Carlos Ramirez	Actor
Henry O'Neill	Actor
Leon Ames	Actor
Edgar Kennedy	Actor
Henry Armetta	Actor
Billy Gilbert	Actor
James Burke	Actor
James Flavin	Actor
Chester Clute	Actor
Grady Sutton	Actor
Sondra Rodgers	Actor
Garry Owen	Actor
Steve Brodie	Actor
Charles Coleman	Actor
Milton Parsons	Actor
Renie Riano	Actor
Alex Callam	Actor
Harry Barris	Actor
John James	Actor
Wally Cassell	Actor
Douglas Cowan	Actor
Milt Kibbee	Bartender,Actor
Henry Daniels Jr.	Actor
Peggy Maley	Lana Turner Double
Phil Hanna	Actor
William 'Bill' Phillips	Actor
Tom Trout	Actor
Esther Michelson	Actor
William Forrest	Actor
Ray Teal	Actor
Eddie Hall	Sailor
Carlos Ramírez	Carlos

Technical Credits

Isobel Lennart

George Sidney	Director
Isobel Lennart	Screenwriter
Joe Pasternak	Producer
Douglas Shearer	Sound Effects
William Steinkamp	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

Anchors Aweigh is best known for the "King Who Couldn't Dance" sequence, a mixture of animation and live action that features Gene Kelly dancing with Jerry the mouse (of Tom and Jerry fame). This sequence deserves its reputation, for the blend is seamless and the dancing is captivating. Nothing else in the film really matches this segment, but it's still a light, quite enjoyable diversion. Kelly is in excellent terpsichorean form, whether dancing a charming duet with a little beggar girl or demonstrating his flair for acrobatics in the "La Cumparsita" ballet; he also does more than hold up his end of the dramatic chores, with one of his patented wolf-on-the-surface/creampuff-underneath portrayals. Frank Sinatra handles the ballads (including the lovely "I Fall in Love Too Easily") with aplomb, and Dean Stockwell is cute without being annoying. Kathryn Grayson (unflatteringly costumed by Irene) is bland but serviceable (although her fans will be delighted with her vocal performance), but her sweet and unaffected rendition of the simple "My Heart Sings" is noteworthy. Anchors' 139 minutes is too long for its very slight story (and the majority of José Iturbi's role could easily be cut with no damage), but the extra length doesn't detract from the film's modest but very real appeal.