tavm After years of knowing this was on YouTube, I finally watched this there. Bing Crosby had previously starred in the 1936 filmed version of Cole Porter's Anything Goes which kept most of the book. This version changes all that, only the best known songs are intact, the rest being new ones written by someone else. Donald O'Connor-who had previously appeared with Bing as a kid in Sing You Sinners-is his co-star and does quite well with him as do leading ladies Mitzi Gaynor and Jeanmaire. The last one is someone I didn't know about before and she's good with her talents being displayed here as is Ms. Gaynor. By the way, Ms. Gaynor and Mr. O'Connor had appeared previously as siblings in There's No Business Like Show Business so it must have partially shocked audiences at the time to see them as lovers here! In summary, I really enjoyed this other filmed version of Anything Goes so that's a high recommendation!

edwagreen I guess I expected Ethel Merman to come out on the screen belting the title song away. That wasn't the case and the film shows it.As always, the tunes by Cole Porter had their usual greatness. The dance sequences of Donald O'Connor and Mitzi Gaynor certainly had their moments. As for Bing Crosby, he looked old here.The thin plot is what did this picture in. Two personalities (O'Connor and Crosby) team up to stage a Broadway show and inadvertently, each hires a leading lady for the part. Naturally, romance blossoms along the way with the other lady they had hired.Phil Harris is essentially wasted here. He plays Gaynor's father, who as a compulsive gambler has a date with the IRS that he has been avoiding by staying abroad.The solution to the two gal problem is obvious and of course is used in the end.This film re-teamed Gaynor and O'Connor who appeared as brother and sister in the memorable **** production of "There's No Business Like Show Business," a far superior film.

Cara I had never seen the movie before I went out and bought it the other day. It was an impulse thing I know. But there are very few musicals that I've seen and not liked. Also I have yet to see a movie with Donald O'Connor in it and not love it and him even more than I already do. It was my first Bing Crosby film and though I thought he was okay in it I have to say the only reason for me has to be Donald. I love his dance and song solo number of bounce right back. It makes me smile and laugh each time I see it. It's a cute movie and puts you in a good mood each time you watch it. SO I'd get it a 10. It's one of Donald's best. It's a must see.

bkoganbing In 1956 Bing Crosby wound up his 25 year old contract with Paramount pictures. It remains the second longest contract for any star with any studio, only exceeded by Robert Taylor with MGM. This second version of Anything Goes was his farewell film for the studio.Bing should have quit with White Christmas.Again, Hollywood under the Code was to squeamish about filming any of Cole Porter's musicals. As they did in 1936 with that version of Anything Goes, it was censored heavily. Cole Porter's original score did not make it intact to the screen again. Other Porter songs were used and a few numbers written by James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn.As for the plot the only similarity is that it takes place on an ocean liner. In this one we have recent partners Bing Crosby and Donald O'Connor each signing a leading lady for their new Broadway show. Both of their finds, Zizi Jeanmaire and Mitzi Gaynor are on the ocean liner with them. Mix the inevitable romantic complications and if you're any kind of a movie fan you'll figure what the result will be.Phil Harris is also on hand as Mitzi Gaynor's father. One of the little known facts of Hollywood was that Harris was one of Bing Crosby's best friends in the motion picture capital. Harris had appeared with Bing previously in Here Comes the Groom, but that was only in one musical number. He has a nice turn here as a professional gambler that the IRS is looking to nail.Usually Bing Crosby movies are just that, Bing is normally partnered with non-musical talent. Here he has three talented performers to share the spotlight with. All have some good numbers. I particularly liked Donald O'Connor and Mitzi Gaynor singing and dancing to It's DeLovely. This was a reunion film for Crosby and O'Connor. Donald O'Connor got his first big break as a child actor in Bing's Sing You Sinners back in 1938. But that one was a far superior film.If you like the talented performers involved, this is a good film. But Paramount should have done better by Bing in his farewell film for them.