Watch Anything Goes

Anything Goes is a 1956 musical film based on the 1934 stage musical by the same name. The film tells the story of Billy Crocker, a stowaway on an ocean liner who falls in love with a debutante named Hope Harcourt. Along with a cast of colorful characters, they embark on a series of misadventures as they try to win each other's hearts.

The film stars Bing Crosby as Billy Crocker, alongside Donald O'Connor, Mitzi Gaynor, and Zizi Jeanmaire. It was directed by Robert Lewis and features a score by Cole Porter, including the classic songs "Anything Goes" and "You're the Top."

The film begins with Billy Crocker sneaking aboard the SS American, a transatlantic ocean liner, in pursuit of Hope Harcourt, a woman he met and fell in love with briefly in New York City. Hope, however, is engaged to a wealthy Englishman named Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, who is also on board the ship.

Billy enlists the help of his friend and former boss, nightclub singer Reno Sweeney (played by Jeanmaire), as well as a gangster named Moonface Martin (played by O'Connor), who is posing as a minister. Together, they hatch a plan to break up Hope's engagement to Sir Evelyn and win her heart for Billy.

The plot thickens as the characters encounter a wide array of obstacles and complications. Moonface and his sidekick, Bonnie (played by Joi Lansing), accidentally end up with the passports and tickets of Sir Evelyn and Hope, leading to a case of mistaken identity that causes everyone to be pursued by the police.

Meanwhile, Hope's mother, Mrs. Harcourt (played by Margaret Rutherford), is revealed to have been a former stage performer, leading to a hilarious musical number in which she performs a risqué dance routine called "Buddie, Beware."

As the ship makes its way across the Atlantic, the characters engage in a series of song-and-dance routines, including the famous title song "Anything Goes," in which Reno and company perform an exuberant tap dance number on board the ship.

In the end, all of the characters' various schemes and plots come to a head in a climactic scene in which Sir Evelyn and Billy compete in a game of chance to determine who will win Hope's hand in marriage. With the help of Reno and Moonface, Billy emerges victorious, and he and Hope embrace as the ship arrives in New York City.

Anything Goes is a classic musical comedy that captures the spirit of the age in which it was made. The film's energetic dance routines, catchy songs, and colorful characters make it a joy to watch, even decades after its initial release. Crosby, O'Connor, Gaynor, and Jeanmaire all give memorable performances, bringing their characters to vibrant life on screen.

Overall, Anything Goes is a delightful romp that is sure to put a smile on your face. Whether you are a fan of musicals or just looking for a fun and lighthearted movie, this classic film is not to be missed.

Anything Goes is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 3 minutes.