Anchors Aweigh (1945) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

"Look at me! I'm dancing!" - Jerry the Mouse in 'Anchors Aweigh'

'Anchor's Aweigh' is a 1945 MGM musical comedy directed by George Sidney and starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly and José Iturbi. The film's supporting cast features Dean Stockwell, Pamela Britton, "Rags" Ragland, Leon Ames and Sharon McManus.

Written by Isobel Lennart, the song and dance romance was produced Joe Pasternak and edited by the great Adrienne Fazan.

Navy buddies Joe Brady (played by Kelly) and Clarence Doolittle (played by Sinatra) are awarded bravery medals and granted four days leave in Hollywood. Whilst on leave, they meet young boy Donald Martin (played by Stockwell), who wants to join the navy. When they take Donald home to his Aunt Susie Abbott (played by Grayson), both Joe and Clarence find themselves both in love with her. To impress Susie, they lie and boast about being able to secure Susie a Hollywood audition with the great Jose Iturbi.

Watch the trailer

Jose Iturbi's orchestra spells out the word "NAVY"

The opening sequence

The film's opening scene is among my favourites for a musical. I really like the way George Sidney has used  a montage of shots featuring the different instrument group individually, before cutting to José Iturbi conducting the full orchestra playing 'Anchor's Aweigh'. At the end of the song, we see the orchestra is standing in position to spell out the word "NAVY".

Gene Kelly dances with Jerry the Mouse
in 'The Worry Song'

Gene Kelly dances with Jerry the Mouse

This film is best known for featuring Gene Kelly dancing with Jerry the Mouse from 'Tom & Jerry'. This was one of the first times animation was mixed with live action footage.

Originally, Gene Kelly was meant to dance with Mickey Mouse, however Walt Disney refused to allow Mickey Mouse to appear in an MGM film. Jerry the Mouse (owned by MGM) became a easy substitute. I believe Jerry was a better choice anyway, and don't feel Mickey Mouse was the right choice for this sequence.

In the documentary series, 'MGM: When the Lion Roars' (1992), animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera reveal how they made this magical sequence:

• Gene Kelly rehearsed with a cardboard cut out of Jerry the Mouse
• After rehersals, Gene Kelly was filmed without the cut out
• The film footage was then traced onto animation paper, with Jerry put onto the animation paper after the footage
• With both images of Kelly and Jerry on the animation paper, the paper was filmed again to give the final effect

At a screening for MGM executives, it was noted Gene Kelly had a reflection on the floor, but Jerry did not. To improve the experience, the animation team re-animated the sequence, with Jerry's reflection on the floor.

Song: "The Worry Song" - Gene Kelly & Jerry the Mouse (from 'Tom & Jerry')

Musical highlights

The film features many musical highlights including:

Gene Kelly & Frank Sinatra sing and dance

in 'Anchors Aweigh' 

• "Anchors Aweigh" - José Iturbi & his Orchestra
• "We Hate to Leave" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "Brahm's Lullaby" - Frank Sinatra
• "I Begged Her" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "If You Knew Susie" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "Jealousy" - Kathryn Grayson
• "What Makes the Sunset?" - Frank Sinatra
• "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings" - Kathryn Grayson
• "The Worry Song" - Gene Kelly & Jerry the Mouse
• "The Charm of You" - Frank Sinatra
• "I Fall in Love Too Easily" - Frank Sinatra

"If You Knew Susie" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly

Song: "I Begged Her" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly

Song: "Jealousy" - Kathryn Grayson

Song: "Waltz Serenade" - Kathryn Grayson

Song: "I Fall In Love too Easily" - Frank Sinatra

Inspirations Aweigh

'Anchors Aweigh' has inspired several more contemporary productions, including Paula Abdul's music video for 'Opposite's Attract', where Abdul dances with an animated cat, and even an episode of 'Family Guy', where Stewie dances with Gene Kelly instead of Jerry the Mouse.

Music Video: "Opposite's Attract" - Paula Abdul

Clip: "Family Guy sequence" - Stewie dances with Gene Kelly

Did you know...

Frank Sinatra sings "I Fall in Love Too Easily" at

The Hollywood Bowl

• This was the first of three "buddy films", Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra made together
• The film won an Oscar for Best Original Music Score - in 2001, actor Kevin Spacey purchased this Oscar statuette at a Butterfield & Butterfield estate auction, and returned it to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• Tom Cat appears briefly as a butler in the animated sequence
• The film provides a rare colour glimpse of the MGM studio, including the front gate, backlot, commissary, a scoring stage and the Thalberg Building
• The song "I Fall in Love Too Easily" was filmed on location at the Hollywood Bowl
• This was the first and only time Gene Kelly received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor
• It took 73 takes to film the song 'I Begged Her', as Frank Sinatra (not a trained dancer) had difficulty with synching his dancing

Awards and nominations

• Academy Award winner for Best Original Music Score
• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Gene Kelly)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography in a color film
• Academy Award nomination for Best Song ("I Fall in Love Too Easily")

Closing remarks

'Anchors Aweigh' in my opinion is one of the best MGM musicals ever made, and I have seen it many times. The songs are catchy, the stars are great and the film entertains for each of its 140 minutes.   I am surprised this film has not yet been turned into a Broadway musical, as I feel it feel it would translate well to the stage. 

It's a Big Country (1951) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'It's a Big Country' is a  1951 anthology film, comprised of eight individual segments celebrating the beauty and diversity of America.

Directed by Clarence Brown, Don Hartman, John Sturges, Richard Thorpe, Charles Vidor, Don Weis and William A. Wellman, the film is narrated by Louis Calhern.

The actors (referred to as citizens) include Leon Ames, Ethel Barrymore, Keefe  Brasselle, Gary Cooper, Nancy Davis, Van Johnson, Gene Kelly, Janet Leigh, Sharon MacManus, Marjorie Main, Fredric March, George Murphy, William Powell, S.Z. Sakall, Lewis Stone, James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn.

I have structured this blog post into segments, according to how the film is structured, discussing each segment in turn.

Segment #1 - 

Whilst on a train to New York, New York, Mr. Stacey (played by Whitmore) meets a Professor (played by Powell), and tells him he loves America. The Professor asks "Which America?", and goes on to teach Mr. Stacey about the diversity of America. Mr. Stacey learns America is politically, religiously, and culturally diverse, and always evolving. The segment ends as Mr. Stacey walks into the dining cart, and meets an elderly woman (played by Elisabeth Risdon), who says she loves America. Mr. Stacey asks her "Which America?". Although the segment ends there, it is obvious Mr. Stacey will use this an opportunity to pass on the knowledge which he has just acquired.  This opening segment sets the scene for what is to come in subsequent segments.

Segment #2

Set in Boston, the city of great American tradition and Paul Revere. Mrs. Brian Patrick Riordan (played by Barrymore) travels to her local newspaper to meet with the Managing Editor, Mr. Callaghan (played by Murphy) to report she was not captured in the recent census. At 74 years of age, Mrs. Riordan is concerned she may not be alive for the next census in ten years time.  With the help of reporter Michael Fisher (played by Wynn), Mrs. Riordan is visited by a government official for inclusion in the census.

This segment focuses on the Irish American community of America, and also demonstrates the importance of participating in the census.

Ethel Barrymore delivers one of her finest performances in her brief appearance in this film.

Segment #3

We are then taken through a who's who of successful African Americans, athletes and entertainers including Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Eddie Anderson and Ethel Waters.

Gene Kelly as Icarus Xenophon

This segment is very different to the others, in that there is no storyline or plot. It is simply a patriotic narration with images of successful African Americans. Considering the degree of African-American segregation in the early 1950's, I would be very interested to have been a fly on the wall during initial screenings of this film to witness the audience reaction, particularly in the Southern states.

Segment #4

In the next segment we meet Hungarian American Stefan Szabo (played by Sakall) and his six daughters. Stefan has a prejudice against Greeks, which becomes an issue for his eldest daughter Rosa (played by Leigh), who has fallen in love with Greek American Icarus Xenophon (played by Kelly).

Janet Leigh as Rosa Szabo

This segment serves as a parable for immigrants, that they should leave any ancient grudges behind when they arrive in America. A message still relevant in today's society.

Everyone's favourite Hungarian American S.Z. Sakall is perfectly cast as Stefan Szabo. Even in a dramatic role, Sakall makes as laugh.

Segment #5

 Mrs. Wrenley (played by Marjorie Main), is visited by
Sgt. Maxie Klein (played by Keefe Brasselle)

a tour of the armed forces,  soldiers, sailors, marines and the airforce

Sgt. Maxie Klein (played by Brasselle) visits Mrs. Wrenley (played by Main), the  mother of his war buddy Jack, who was killed in action.

It is interesting seeing Marjorie Main in a serious dramatic role.

Segment #6

We travel deep in the heart of Texas, where we meet a cowboy named Texas (played by Cooper). In this very short segment, Texas talks about the state of Texas, and myth busts rumours and perceptions of the other 47 states. 

When watching this film, it's important to remember in 1951 there were only 48 states in the USA. In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state.

Segment #7

Rev. Adam Burch (played by Johnson) takes on a new congragation, and receives constructive feedback by a Church sexton (played by Stone). As a result of taking on this feedback, the Reverend becomes a greater pasteur.

Segment #8

Joseph Esposito (played by Bobby Hyatt) is told by his teacher, Miss Coleman (played by Davis) that he needs glasses. His strict Italian American father, Joe Esposito (played by March) refuses to believe his son needs glasses and opposes Miss Coleman's recommendation.

Closing remarks

Although the content of the eight segments are a little dated, not surprisingly the messages contained within each segment are still relevant in today's society of discrimination and segregation.

The only criticism I have on this film is the sugar coated endings to each segment are often unrealistic and difficult to believe, however I appreciate this is the intention of the filmmakers to convey the messages.

Anchors Aweigh (1945) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

"Look at me! I'm dancing!" - Jerry the Mouse in 'Anchors Aweigh'

'Anchor's Aweigh' is a 1945 MGM musical comedy directed by George Sidney and starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly and José Iturbi. The film's supporting cast features Dean Stockwell, Pamela Britton, "Rags" Ragland, Leon Ames and Sharon McManus.

Written by Isobel Lennart, the song and dance romance was produced Joe Pasternak and edited by the great Adrienne Fazan.


Navy buddies Joe Brady (played by Kelly) and Clarence Doolittle (played by Sinatra) are awarded bravery medals and granted four days leave in Hollywood. Whilst on leave, they meet young boy Donald Martin (played by Stockwell), who wants to join the navy. When they take Donald home to his Aunt Susie Abbott (played by Grayson), both Joe and Clarence find themselves both in love with her. To impress Susie, they lie and boast about being able to secure Susie a Hollywood audition with the great Jose Iturbi.

Watch the trailer

Jose Iturbi's orchestra spells out the word "NAVY"

The opening sequence

The film's opening scene is among my favourites for a musical. I really like the way George Sidney has used  a montage of shots featuring the different instrument group individually, before cutting to José Iturbi conducting the full orchestra playing 'Anchor's Aweigh'. At the end of the song, we see the orchestra is standing in position to spell out the word "NAVY".

Gene Kelly dances with Jerry the Mouse
in 'The Worry Song'

Gene Kelly dances with Jerry the Mouse

This film is best known for featuring Gene Kelly dancing with Jerry the Mouse from 'Tom & Jerry'. This was one of the first times animation was mixed with live action footage.

Originally, Gene Kelly was meant to dance with Mickey Mouse, however Walt Disney refused to allow Mickey Mouse to appear in an MGM film. Jerry the Mouse (owned by MGM) became a easy substitute. I believe Jerry was a better choice anyway, and don't feel Mickey Mouse was the right choice for this sequence.

In the documentary series, 'MGM: When the Lion Roars' (1992), animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera reveal how they made this magical sequence:

• Gene Kelly rehearsed with a cardboard cut out of Jerry the Mouse
• After rehersals, Gene Kelly was filmed without the cut out
• The film footage was then traced onto animation paper, with Jerry put onto the animation paper after the footage
• With both images of Kelly and Jerry on the animation paper, the paper was filmed again to give the final effect

At a screening for MGM executives, it was noted Gene Kelly had a reflection on the floor, but Jerry did not. To improve the experience, the animation team re-animated the sequence, with Jerry's reflection on the floor.

Song: "The Worry Song" - Gene Kelly & Jerry the Mouse (from 'Tom & Jerry')

Musical highlights

The film features many musical highlights including:

Gene Kelly & Frank Sinatra sing and dance
in 'Anchors Aweigh' 

• "Anchors Aweigh" - José Iturbi & his Orchestra
• "We Hate to Leave" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "Brahm's Lullaby" - Frank Sinatra
• "I Begged Her" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "If You Knew Susie" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "Jealousy" - Kathryn Grayson
• "What Makes the Sunset?" - Frank Sinatra
• "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings" - Kathryn Grayson
• "The Worry Song" - Gene Kelly & Jerry the Mouse
• "The Charm of You" - Frank Sinatra
• "I Fall in Love Too Easily" - Frank Sinatra

"If You Knew Susie" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly

Song: "I Begged Her" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly

Song: "Jealousy" - Kathryn Grayson

Song: "Waltz Serenade" - Kathryn Grayson

Song: "I Fall In Love too Easily" - Frank Sinatra

Inspirations Aweigh

'Anchors Aweigh' has inspired several more contemporary productions, including Paula Abdul's music video for 'Opposite's Attract', where Abdul dances with an animated cat, and even an episode of 'Family Guy', where Stewie dances with Gene Kelly instead of Jerry the Mouse.

Music Video: "Opposite's Attract" - Paula Abdul

Clip: "Family Guy sequence" - Stewie dances with Gene Kelly

Did you know...

Frank Sinatra sings "I Fall in Love Too Easily" at
The Hollywood Bowl

• This was the first of three "buddy films", Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra made together
• The film won an Oscar for Best Original Music Score - in 2001, actor Kevin Spacey purchased this Oscar statuette at a Butterfield & Butterfield estate auction, and returned it to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• Tom Cat appears briefly as a butler in the animated sequence
• The film provides a rare colour glimpse of the MGM studio, including the front gate, backlot, commissary, a scoring stage and the Thalberg Building
• The song "I Fall in Love Too Easily" was filmed on location at the Hollywood Bowl
• This was the first and only time Gene Kelly received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor
• It took 73 takes to film the song 'I Begged Her', as Frank Sinatra (not a trained dancer) had difficulty with synching his dancing

Awards and nominations

• Academy Award winner for Best Original Music Score
• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Gene Kelly)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography in a color film
• Academy Award nomination for Best Song ("I Fall in Love Too Easily")

Closing remarks

'Anchors Aweigh' in my opinion is one of the best MGM musicals ever made, and I have seen it many times. The songs are catchy, the stars are great and the film entertains for each of its 140 minutes.   I am surprised this film has not yet been turned into a Broadway musical, as I feel it feel it would translate well to the stage.