Movie spotlight
Anything Goes
Bill Benson and Ted Adams are to appear in a Broadway show together and, while in Paris, each 'discovers' the perfect leading lady for the plum female role. Each promises the prize role to the girl they selected without informing the other until they head back across the Atlantic by liner - with each man having brought his choice along! It becomes a stormy crossing as each man has to tell his 'find' that she might not get the role after all.
Insights
Plot Summary
A bawdy and energetic musical set aboard a luxury liner bound for New York. Socialite Patsy Blair is traveling incognito, trying to escape a persistent suitor. Onboard, she encounters entertainer Ted Riley and his sidekick "Gబ్బు", leading to a series of romantic entanglements and song-and-dance numbers.
Critical Reception
While visually colorful and featuring some lively musical numbers, "Anything Goes" (1956) received a mixed reception. Critics noted its thin plot and reliance on the established reputation of its Cole Porter songs, with performances often overshadowing the narrative. Audiences generally enjoyed the song-and-dance routines and the star power of Bing Crosby.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its vibrant musical numbers and the charm of its lead actors.
Criticized for a weak and predictable storyline that struggled to keep pace.
Visual spectacle and Cole Porter's classic songs were highlights, often compensating for narrative shortcomings.
Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the enjoyable musical numbers and the comedic performances, particularly from Bing Crosby and Donald O'Connor. Some found the plot dated, but the classic songs and energetic dancing made it a generally pleasant viewing experience.
Fun Fact
The film is a remake of the 1936 film of the same name, which was based on the 1934 Broadway musical by Cole Porter and Guy Bolton.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources