Pal Joey

source: Pal Joey

The stars could all have performed the musical as written--the most accomplished, acidic, and cynical of Rodgers and Hart's output, thanks to a great book by John O'Hara, but Columbia just couldn't leave well enough alone, although it certainly didn't take away half the score and replace it with half-baked numbers by Roger Edens, like MGM did to "On the Town." At least Columbia just subbed a few other R&H numbers that are always worth hearing. Sinatra was close to perfect for Joey Evans--although certainly no better than Gene Kelly would've been; both Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak were equally attractive, although since the only musical number that Rita has to put across is "Zip," in an incredibly bowdlerized version (robbed of its intellectual heart) I wonder why her voice had to be dubbed. Would it have mattered if it weren't pretty? The fact that this show, one of the most downbeat of all Broadway productions, was turned into yet another sweetsie-poo Hollywood confection (and of course moved from Chi, of which it reeks, to San Francisco, of which it doesn't) is yet another tragedy in the history of taking Broadway musicals to Hollywood, which, with the notable exception of "Oklahoma," just means that the show got butchered. It loses its edge about halfway through, when Joey starts being nice, Vera starts being nice, the puppy is nice, and everyone gets to live happily ever after--what a precious moment!!! Hollywood was better at making its own musicals--"The Wizard of Oz" and "Meet Me In St. Louis"--are head and shoulders above any Broadway adaptation from MGM (whose musicals generally stink) and both Warner Bros and RKO, in the 1930's, make shows that put any of the "spectaculars" in the shade. One Fred and Ginger number is worth about 70 Marge and Gowers. Oddly enough, Columbia showed that it could do a pretty good job with an original musical--one with Rita and Fred Astaire that contains some great original songs by Jerome Kern and at least one terrific dance number with Fred and Rita, "You Were Never Lovelier." What Columbia did to Rita shouldn't ever have happened. With the right handling, she would have been a truly immense star, rather than the pinup girl she was fated to be at the studio most famous for the three stooges.

Glossy, empty musical adapted from John O'Hara's stage success, now a star-vehicle for Frank Sinatra, who can't work up a head of steam over role as Joey Evans, nightclub singer/ladies' man who hopes to open his own club. Rita Hayworth, playing Joey's ex-girlfriend and benefactor, gets the worst of it: she still loves Joey (I guess) and wants him on a tight leash, but she's given no sympathetic scenes and is put down at every opportunity. The Rodgers and Hart songs are nice (with Kim Novak's vocals dubbed by Trudy Stevens and Hayworth's partially dubbed by Jo Ann Greer), but the inane plot takes them nowhere. Novak is charismatic in a nothing part, while Sinatra is Sinatra, walking through too-snugly. The film has colorful costumes, slick settings and lots of smarmy talk; it's all style in a pseudo-jaded key. Four Oscar nominations with no wins. **1/2 from ****

I just purchased the DVD of Pal Joey and the picture and colors are breathtaking. It is wonderful to see the scope of 1957 Frisco in digital Widescreen. I will say that those expecting a full, true musical, might be dissappointed. It is a lighthearted movie that contains songs. AND WHAT SONGS THEY ARE. The Rogers and Hart songs never sounded better and it is always a treat to SEE Sinatra perform them, especially here in 1957 when he was at the peak of his artistry. The look and feel of the movie is quite modern, and although tame in comparison to modern films, the script is coy and sexy. It is lighthearted fun and entertainment and all do a fine job in their roles. (Sinatra won a Golden Globe for best actor) . One could only hope that they hurry and remaster the rest of the Sinatra catalog on DVD. Next should be "Hole in the Head". I welcome any and all comments...email me!!

Close ups of the 24 year old Kim Novak left me breathless. Her beauty. Her face. What a face! Her body. She was (and still is) a great beauty. I was numb from her beauty when she sang the Valentine song. I liked this movie very much. The best descriptive word I can think of to describe Pal Joey is "delightful." Even the dog was cute. A nice, delightful movie, right out of the 1950's. I thought all the actors did a splendid job--the acting, dialog, the story was fine. All in all, Pal Joey is an enjoyable and fun movie. It is interesting to watch movies made in the 1950's. What a difference from today's films. I highly recommend Pal Joey.

I like Sinatra as much as the next girl and then some. Probably the best thing about this film is the numbers The Chairman does alone onstage. However, I'm also well acquainted with PAL JOEY in its stage form, and this watered down film doesn't serve it well. As is so often the case with film musicals, it bears very little resemblance to the show it purports to represent. First of all, like many other movie musicals this one is rife with interpolations. Viewers should realize that both "My Funny Valentine" and "The Lady is a Tramp" come from Rodgers and Hart's BABES IN ARMS (though, ironically, both were cut from the film version of that musical). "There's a Small Hotel" is from ON YOUR TOES and TOO MANY GIRLS gave us the haunting "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" (probably the interpolation that works best). Secondly, most of the songs they did keep don't remain intact. For instance, when they moved the setting from Chicago to San Francisco the song the club girls sing went to pot. Also, the lyrics to "Bewitched" had to be sanitized for popular consumption, which is a pity because they're some of Larry Hart's best. "Zip" was also revised and given to Vera. The witty "Take Him" was cut, which is a real pity, and several other numbers are gone entirely or reduced to underscoring. PAL JOEY was one of the first shows to bring cynicism to the musical stage. The second you inject romance into it, you've killed what it's about. If I was just looking for a lightweight love story, I might enjoy this film. Knowing what I know now, I find it a bit tough to take.

Another marvelous effort from prolific director George Sidney, who once again displays an uncanny ability to make us wish we lived in the and time and place of his films. The classic Rogers and Hart songs selected from the smorgasbord written for the original 1940 play alone make this movie well worth a look. Gene Kelly, a chorus boy a year earlier, was cast in the title role in the original but critically panned "Joey" of 1940. The story line for "Joey" was too sleazy and cynical for the 40's, but today comes across better than the average fare in support of many musicals of the period. Frank Sinatra is well suited as the film-version Joey. His musical and acting styles add contemporary flavors that are as appealing in the 1950's film version as they were in the critically acclaimed 1952 revival of the play featuring Harold Lang as Joey. Frank's signature song delivery retains, but also in part redefines in a more contemporary way, the classic appeal of the best show tunes of the 40's and 50's. Although Rita Hayworth's acting talents too often are overlooked, she is the standout actor in "Joey." Casting Kim Novak in a 50's film rather defines the genre, and while she is both appealing and likable in her role, you can't help but be aware that she is stretching her limits as an actor, singer, and dancer. Finally, the film is a visual treat, and San Francisco a more than an adequate substitute for Chicago. Don't analyze, just sit back and enjoy.

Based on the naughty Broadway hit and featuring luscious tunes by Rodgers and Hart, Pal Joey was softened from his arrogant heel stage persona for this more sanitized film version. Now-good guy Joey (Sinatra) wants to open a swanky nightclub in San Francisco, enlisting the help of high society dame Vera Simpson (Hayworth), a former chorus girl. But things get sticky when Joey finds his eyes drifting towards the knockout Linda English (Novak). A leggy singer/dancer with aspirations of being a star, Linda also has a soft place in her heart for Joey. Of course, complications abound, along with much singing and dancing, before tying up nicely with a bouncy, breezy, "walking into the sunset" Hollywood finish. A couple of assets make Pal Joey unbeatable entertainment. The first are the wonderful Rodgers and Hart standards, mostly performed by Sinatra. Sinatra is at his all-time best. This was Hayworth's last big movie musical and she does not disappoint. Although actually younger than Sinatra, she was playing a role originally meant for Marlene Dietrich. Hayworth is both gorgeous and haunting. A must see for all Hayworth fans!

Frank Sinatra's movie career was peppered with great pictures; On the Town, Guys and Dolls, From Here To Eternity, Oceans 11 and so on and so forth. Pal Joey is without doubt, up there with the best of them. The movie centers around Joey Evans, a womanizing nightclub singer who finds himself forced to leave Chicago (literally) and start over in San Francisco. His persistence lands him a spot in the Barbary Coast Club, and while trying to lure a wealthy widow (Rita Hayworth) to the club, he plans to land a posh joint of his own. Frank's portrayal of Joey in this movie is wonderfully entertaining; from his Joey-isms ("Who's the mouse with the built?"), to the marvelous list of Rodgers and Hart songs he performs. Rita Hayworth may have been given top billing by Sinatra, but there is no doubt as to who the star is, it's Sinatra's show all the way. Sinatra's other leading lady in the picture is the young and beautiful Kim Novak, who plays hard-to-get Linda English, a dancer/singer at the Barbary Coast who is one of the few women who seems to be able to resist his charms. The songs, as I mentioned are great, and include the legendary 'The Lady Is A Tramp', which is a treasure in itself. This is not the actual studio recording of the song, but one recorded for the movie (as all the songs are), and is in my opinion, far superior to it's mainstream counterpart. Joey is not the only one to sing either as both Novak and Hayworth's characters have numbers also, albeit dubbed by other vocalists, unlike Sinatra. The DVD version of this film looks fantastic considering the age of the picture, containing both anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions. The sound also, while only in 2 channel mono, is lively and clear. For entertainment value, I cannot recommend this movie enough. Even if you are initially put-off by its labelling as a musical, you will not be disappointed. It's a gasser!

Joey Evans isn't a very nice person.If you've got a daughter maybe you should lock her up because for some reason the broads go crazy after him. He's a skinny little guy you'd pass by on the sidewalk without looking at but whatever it is the girlies like - he's got it in spades.He ain't above schmoozing the chicks for bread either,if he's a bit short of the folding green.Basically the guy's a putz.OK,so he can sing a bit,but that don't make him Gigli,right,he's still a putz. That,basically,is the "book" for the George Sidney musical "Pal Joey". Fortunately it has some fine Rodgers and Hart songs and two strong if not particularly likable performances from Mr Frank Sinatra and Miss Rita Hayworth.The very beautiful Miss Kim Novak has eyes of the most startling colour,skin as smooth as a baby's and the air of slightly-bruised innocence that men of a certain age prize very highly.She plays Miss Hayworth's rival for the affections of Mr Sinatra.She mimes rather sweetly to "My Funny Valentine" and there are lots of close-ups of her eyes. Mr Sinatra was the byword for cool in 1957 but to more modern sensibilities some of his attitudes may find less favour than of yore. He certainly seemed to have no trouble suppressing his feminine side. Lines I laughed at when it first came out now seem distinctly unfunny. He seems to be polishing up his Las Vegas act.I loved the way he carries his mac over his shoulder and pushes his hat onto the back of his head, the passing of time has,unhappily,cast that as affectation not cool,and his snappy one-liners offensive,not sharp.Both he and Joey Evans I imagine would be easy men to love but hard men to like.