Anchors Aweigh is solid musical fare. The production numbers are zingy; the songs are extremely listenable; the color treatment outstanding.
70
The Telegraph
The Telegraph
There's not much in the way of plot, but it's a fun musical, blending live action and animation to great effect, as Jerry from Tom and Jerry joins Kelly for a dance sequence. [01 Feb 2014, p.36]
A very thin story stretched out for over two hours, this is a melange of the wonderful and the pompous.
60
Time Out
Time Out
Thunderously patriotic (the navy is wonderful) and sentimental (kids are wonderful), it's heavily dependent on Kelly's charm and Sinatra's supposed little-boy appeal, the combination of which fuels the running gags and almost saves the scenes with Grayson.
60
The New YorkerPauline Kael
The New YorkerPauline Kael
This Gene Kelly-Frank Sinatra musical has an abundance of energy and spirit, and you may feel it could be wonderful if it weren't so stupidly wholesome.
50
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
George Sidney directed, a long way from the slam-bang vulgarity of his most entertaining work.