Anchors Aweigh
Two sailors, one naive, the other experienced in the ways of the world, on liberty in Los Angeles, is the setting for this movie musical.
Despite its tight budget of $2.6M, Anchors Aweigh became a solid performer, earning $7.5M worldwide—a 188% return.
1 Oscar. 5 wins & 4 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Anchors Aweigh (1945) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of George Sidney's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 23 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.5, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Joseph Brady
Clarence Doolittle
Susan Abbott
Donald Martin
Aunt Susie
Main Cast & Characters
Joseph Brady
Played by Gene Kelly
A confident, charming sailor on shore leave who helps his shy friend pursue romance while falling for an aspiring singer.
Clarence Doolittle
Played by Frank Sinatra
A shy, earnest sailor who falls for a young boy's aunt and struggles with confidence in romance.
Susan Abbott
Played by Kathryn Grayson
A beautiful aspiring singer working as a movie extra who becomes the romantic interest of Joseph Brady.
Donald Martin
Played by Dean Stockwell
A lonely young boy who befriends the two sailors and dreams of joining the Navy.
Aunt Susie
Played by Pamela Britton
Donald's aunt and guardian who becomes the object of Clarence's affection.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Two sailors, Joe Brady and Clarence Doolittle, are granted shore leave in Hollywood. Joe is the confident ladies' man while Clarence is shy and awkward around women, establishing their contrasting personalities.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Clarence meets young Donald, a runaway boy who lives with his aunt Susan, an aspiring singer. Clarence is charmed by both the boy and the aunt, and Joe promises to help Clarence win Susan's heart, disrupting Joe's usual carefree leave plans.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 35 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Joe decides to fully commit to helping Clarence and Susan, actively choosing to sacrifice his own pleasure-seeking shore leave. He pretends to know famous pianist José Iturbi to impress Susan and help her career, crossing into a world of deception and genuine care., moving from reaction to action.
At 70 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Joe realizes he has fallen in love with Susan himself, creating a false defeat. He's caught between his promise to help Clarence and his own growing feelings. The stakes raise as the lies about knowing Iturbi threaten to unravel., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 107 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The deception falls apart when the truth about Joe not knowing Iturbi is revealed. Susan feels betrayed and used. Joe faces the death of both his chance with Susan and his integrity, having hurt the people he was trying to help. Clarence is disappointed in his friend., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 114 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Joe realizes he must make things right not for his own gain but for Susan and Clarence. He synthesizes his charm and resourcefulness with genuine selflessness, choosing to truly help Susan's career and step aside for Clarence despite his own feelings., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Anchors Aweigh's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Anchors Aweigh against these established plot points, we can identify how George Sidney utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Anchors Aweigh within the comedy genre.
George Sidney's Structural Approach
Among the 8 George Sidney films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Anchors Aweigh represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete George Sidney filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more George Sidney analyses, see The Three Musketeers, Bye Bye Birdie and Pal Joey.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Two sailors, Joe Brady and Clarence Doolittle, are granted shore leave in Hollywood. Joe is the confident ladies' man while Clarence is shy and awkward around women, establishing their contrasting personalities.
Theme
Clarence expresses his desire to meet a girl and settle down, stating "A fellow needs someone to come home to." The theme of finding love and connection versus staying uncommitted is introduced.
Worldbuilding
The sailors arrive in Hollywood and we learn about Joe's reputation with women and Clarence's insecurity. Joe has won the hearts of countless women but never commits. They explore the city, establishing the glamorous Hollywood setting and their dynamic.
Disruption
Clarence meets young Donald, a runaway boy who lives with his aunt Susan, an aspiring singer. Clarence is charmed by both the boy and the aunt, and Joe promises to help Clarence win Susan's heart, disrupting Joe's usual carefree leave plans.
Resistance
Joe begins coaching Clarence on how to win Susan's affection. He creates elaborate schemes to make Clarence appear sophisticated and connected. Joe debates whether to help genuinely or just go through the motions of his promise.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Joe decides to fully commit to helping Clarence and Susan, actively choosing to sacrifice his own pleasure-seeking shore leave. He pretends to know famous pianist José Iturbi to impress Susan and help her career, crossing into a world of deception and genuine care.
Mirror World
Joe spends time with Susan and young Donald, experiencing the warmth of a family-like connection. Susan represents the stable, committed relationship that Joe has always avoided, creating a thematic mirror to his carefree bachelor life.
Premise
The fun of the premise: elaborate musical numbers, Joe's schemes to connect Susan with José Iturbi, the famous dance sequence with Jerry Mouse, and the romantic comedy of trying to set up Clarence while Joe himself falls for Susan. Hollywood glamour and musical entertainment.
Midpoint
Joe realizes he has fallen in love with Susan himself, creating a false defeat. He's caught between his promise to help Clarence and his own growing feelings. The stakes raise as the lies about knowing Iturbi threaten to unravel.
Opposition
The pressure intensifies as Joe must actually deliver on meeting Iturbi. His feelings for Susan grow stronger while Clarence also pursues her. The web of lies becomes more complex, and Joe's internal conflict between loyalty to his friend and his own heart deepens.
Collapse
The deception falls apart when the truth about Joe not knowing Iturbi is revealed. Susan feels betrayed and used. Joe faces the death of both his chance with Susan and his integrity, having hurt the people he was trying to help. Clarence is disappointed in his friend.
Crisis
Joe grapples with his failure and selfishness. He must confront what kind of man he wants to be: the superficial charmer or someone capable of genuine connection and sacrifice. The sailors' leave is nearly over, and time is running out.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Joe realizes he must make things right not for his own gain but for Susan and Clarence. He synthesizes his charm and resourcefulness with genuine selflessness, choosing to truly help Susan's career and step aside for Clarence despite his own feelings.
Synthesis
Joe orchestrates a genuine meeting between Susan and José Iturbi, using his charm for good rather than deception. He helps arrange for Susan to audition and succeed. The finale resolves the romantic entanglements and career aspirations as the characters find their true paths.
Transformation
Joe, transformed from a commitment-phobic sailor into someone capable of genuine selfless love, finds his own romantic connection while having helped others achieve their dreams. The closing image shows growth, maturity, and the power of authentic human connection over superficial charm.