Anything Goes (1956 Film Soundtrack) [EXTRA TRACKS] [SOUNDTRACK]

Cole Porter (Artist), Bing Crosby (Artist), Donald O'Connor (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Soundtrack
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00018U9WK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #169,091 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
It's a testament to Hollywood's desire--nay, need--to complicate things that Cole Porter's 1934 show Anything Goes made it to the screen twice (20 years apart), both times with Bing Crosby as the male lead. For this 1956 version, the plot was rewritten, three Sammy Cahn/Johnny van Heusen tunes were added, and "It's De-Lovely" was brought in from another Porter show (1936's Red, Hot and Blue!). As a bonus, this CD adds three non-Porter songs written for Crosby in the 1936 film version. Confused yet? In any case, this soundtrack may leave Porter fans frustrated but will delight those who enjoy the finger-snapping arrangements customarily found in 1950s Hollywood musicals. The inventivity of the brass section on the title track, for instance, actually eclipses Mitzi Gaynor's perky vocals. As for "I Get a Kick Out of You," between Jeanmaire's French-accented reading and the insane brass section going into overdrive, it's a camp delight. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars For Bing Crosby fans only., January 28, 2004

By	Mark Andrew Lawrence "Theatre Reviewer" (Toronto) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Decca's album of songs from the 1956 Paramount film ANYTHING GOES has always been a hashed up affair, and the decision to release it on CD is curious, to say the least.

The film was not well recieved when it was released and for many years it was a staple of afternoon TV movie shows.

Using the title and five songs from Cole Porter's Broadway hit, plus Porter's "It's DeLovely," Three new songs were needed, and instead of asking Porter, Paramount used Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn who contributed "Ya Gotta Give the People Hoke" "You can Bounce Right Back";and "A Second Hand Turban and a Crystal Ball." Never heard of these songs? With good reason...they are all terrible!

This is not even a true "soundtrack" album. Several songs were re-recorded in the studio. So instead of hearing "You're the Top" as performed in the film by all 4 stars, we get a cute studio arrangement for Bing Crosby and Mitzi Gaynor.

There are so many fine recordings of the stage production of ANYTHING GOES that this album is of little use unless you happen to be a Bing Crosby fan.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Anything Goes (1956) Film Sound-track available again!, April 23, 2005

By	Movie Guy (England) - See all my reviews

This album was originally issued in the UK on the Brunswick Label, back in 1956. It was deleted in the early 1960s. It is marvellous to be able to obtain it again some 40 years later!

The quality is very good and it is an excellent bonus to have three tracks from the 1936 movie, included - especially the excellent Sailor Beware. The quality here is also remarkably good.

It should be noted that not all of the tracks are recorded directly from the soundtrack of the 1956 movie. In particular You're the Top appears to be a studio recording with Bing and Mitzi Gaynor. I seem to recall in the movie the song was sung concurrently by Bing/Mitzi Gaynor and Donald O'Connor/Jeanmaire in two different rehersal locations whilst on board ship. None the less the performance and quality is excellent - A most enjoyable CD especially for Crosby/O'Connor/Gaynor fans and good value at the price.

Wouldn't it be marvellous if this movie could be released on DVD, together with "The Birds and The Bees" - another of Mitzy Gaynor's rarely seen Paramount Technicolor comedy musicals? By the way the same sets are used in both films. Enjoy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bing Crosby, Mitzi Gaynor and Zizi Jeanmaire sing superbly, February 9, 2004

By	Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This reissue of the 1956 ANYTHING GOES soundtrack from Decca Broadway is a real find. Although quite inferior to basically every other cast album of AG, it still features some great vocal performances from Bing Crosby, Mitzi Gaynor and the stunning Zizi Jeanmaire.

Highlights include Mitzi Gaynor's peppy, energetic rendition of the Title Song; Zizi Jeanmaire's all-out performance of "I Get a Kick Out of You" and Bing Crosby's beguiling croon of "All Through the Night".

Though the curious quartet version of "Blow Gabriel Blow" is strange indeed (the number works better as a solo), and the just plain-embarrassing "Ya Gotta Give the People Hoke" and "A Second-Hand Turban and a Crystal Ball" are two more missteps.

Added as bonus tracks are 3 numbers from the 1936 film version of ANYTHING GOES with Bing Crosby (though these particular numbers were not written by Cole Porter, thank God).

Worth buying if only for the wonderful Zizi Jeanmaire. [DECCA BROADWAY B0001933-02]