This mammoth musical is at base the story of two sailors on leave in Hollywood. Brash Gene Kelly has promised his shy pal Frank Sinatra that he will introduce Sinatra to all the glamorous movie starlets whom he, Kelly , allegedly knows so well. Actually the only actress whom Kelly meets is bit player Kathryn Grayson . He arranges for the golden-throated Grayson to be auditioned by musician Jose Iturbi , but when Grayson seems to want to return the favor romantically, Kelly tries to foist the girl off on Sinatra . But Sinatra only has eyes for fellow Brooklyn-ite Pamela Britton . Also involved in the plot machinations is runaway orphan Dean Stockwell . Featuring Kelly dancing with such partners as a cartoon mouse (courtesy of MGM's house animators Bill Hanna and Joseph Barbera ), Anchors Aweigh was a huge hit in 1945, assuring audiences future Gene Kelly / Frank Sinatra teamings. — Hal Erickson