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Pal Joey [1957]
![Pal Joey [1957]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PVKX0ZDRL._SL160_.jpg)
The film also benefits from location shooting in San Francisco, caught in the moonlight-and-supper-club glow of the late 1950s. Sinatra does beautifully with the Rodgers and Hart classics "I Didn't Know What Time it Was" and "I Could Write a Book", and his performance of "The Lady is a Tramp" (evocatively shot by director George Sidney) is flat-out genius. Sinatra's ease with hep-cat lingo nearly outdoes Bing Crosby at his best. If not one of Sinatra's very best movies, Pal Joey is nevertheless a classy vehicle that fits like a glove. --Robert Horton
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
First born in the pages of The New Yorker, then translated into a hit Rodgers and Hart Broadway musical, the title character of Pal Joey had undergone quite a transformation by the time he hit the movies in 1957. He was a singer, rather than a dancer, but more importantly he'd had his rough edges sweetly softened; the callous heel dreamed up by novelist John O'Hara was more of a naughty scamp in the film version. However, Pal Joey remains delightfully watchable for two very good reasons: a terrific song score and a surplus of glittering star power. Frank Sinatra, at the zenith of his cocky, world-on-a-string popularity, glides through the film with breezy nonchalance, romancing showgirl Kim Novak (Columbia Pictures' new sex symbol) and wealthy widow Rita Hayworth (Columbia Pictures' former sex symbol). The film also benefits from location shooting in San Francisco, caught in the moonlight-and-supper-club glow of the late 50s. Sinatra does beautifully with the Rodgers and Hart classics "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and "I Could Write a Book" and his performance of "The Lady Is a Tramp" (evocatively shot by director George Sidney) is flat-out genius. Sinatra's ease with hep-cat lingo nearly outdoes Bing Crosby at his best, and included in the DVD is a trailer in which Sinatra instructs the audience in "Joey's Jargon", a collection of hip slang words such as "gasser" and "mouse." If not one of Sinatra's very best movies, Pal Joey is nevertheless a classy vehicle that fits like a glove. --Robert Horton
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The eponymous Pal Joey, born in the pages of The New Yorker then translated into a hit Rodgers and Hart Broadway musical, had undergone quite a transformation by the time he hit the movies in 1957. By then he was a singer rather than a dancer, but more importantly he'd had his rough edges sweetly softened; the callous heel dreamed up by novelist John O'Hara was more of a naughty scamp in the film version. However, Pal Joey the film remains delightfully watchable for two very good reasons: a terrific song score and a surplus of glittering star power. Frank Sinatra, at the zenith of his cocky, world-on-a-string popularity, glides through the film with breezy nonchalance, romancing showgirl Kim Novak (Columbia Pictures' new sex symbol) and wealthy widow Rita Hayworth (Columbia Pictures' former sex symbol).
Sinatra more than holds his own.
Review date: 2008-01-18 Rating: 6 out of 10
The only good thing about this movie is Frank Sinatra, and in particular his memorable performance of 'The Lady is a Tramp'. Cut this out and throw the rest away. Kim Novak's performance is wooden and Rita Hayworth's not much better. Moreover the rest of Rodgers and Hart's music is devalued by the fact that neither of the leading ladies are capable of singing, so their voices had to be dubbed by others. What a con'when others could have been recruited to fit the bill. Without Sinatra 'no stars'.
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Reviews
Star studded movie; adaptation of a great musical
Review date: 2007-09-06 Rating: 6 out of 10
This is a less than successful movie version of a hit 1940 Broadway musical Pal Joey, written by John O'Hara, with music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The musical is modified in several ways. Of the original 14 Rodgers and Hart songs, 8 remained with the movie. Sinatra sings classics such as; "I Didn't Know What Time It was" and "I Could Write a Book," and "The Lady Is a Tramp;" and "My Funny Valentine" by Linda English is perhaps the best parts of the movie.
The story is about a singer named Joey Evans (Frank Sinatra), known for his womanizing ways is an out of work singer looking for a job in San Francisco. He meets a chorus girl named Linda English (Kim Novak), slowly, but steadily their friendship blossoms into love and romance. In the meantime, he develops a relationship with a wealthy widow named Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth) to seek her help to finance his dream, "Chez Joey", a night club of his own. When the new night club is about to open, Vera finds about Joey and Linda, and she asks Joey to fire Linda, and he refuses, and Vera withdraws support for the night club. Joey and Vera use each other to the bitter end, ultimately Vera gives in, and Joey wins not only the club but also his prize, Linda. The movie has somewhat unrealistic ending; except for the fine performance of Frank Sinatra, his costars Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak are not very impressive.
sinatra ,hayworth ..shame about novak
Review date: 2005-03-20 Rating: 8 out of 10
as a ardent sinatra fan,he can do no wrong in my eyes and Rita Hayworth is superb too. The music,the songs are terrific. Even the dog is cute.
The downside is Kim Novak, who is beautiful..true, but an insipid performance and never really comes alive.
Prime Sinatra
Review date: 2005-01-07 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film is worth watching over and over again, if only to see Sinatra's rendition of "The Lady is a Tramp", which he sings with riveting style and musical finesse.
Based on a book and play by John O'Hara, it boasts some snappy dialogue and a fabulous Rodgers and Hart score, with songs like "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", "I Could Write a Book", "What do I Care for a Dame ?", "Plant You Now, Dig You Later", "Happy Hunting Horn" and "That Terrific Rainbow". Rita Hayworth does a sumptuous "Zip" (I love the way she uses her lavish Jean Louis gown in the number), and Kim Novak is absolutely stunning singing "My Funny Valentine". Novak was one of the loveliest and most underrated stars to ever grace the silver screen, and this was her second film with Sinatra, having done the dramatic "The Man with the Golden Arm" two years earlier.
The film only received some Oscar nominations (Art/Set Direction, Costume Design, Editing, Sound), but Sinatra did pick up a 1958 Golden Globe Best Actor/Musical-Comedy for his part as Joey, the womanizing, fast talking, con-man singer, who goes from town to town, leaving debts and broken hearts behind; Sinatra makes the most of the part, and one cannot imagine anyone else that could have played Joey to such perfection.
Terrific direction by George Sidney and choreography by Hermes Pan complement this trio of great stars and splendid music, with the backdrop of San Francisco and Harold Lipstein's cinematography.
Total running time is 109 minutes.
The essence of Sinatra
Review date: 2004-10-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
Joey is a womanising night club entertainer, picking up work where he can find it, conning his friends out of money but getting away with it because he still has a certain cheeky charm which is hard to resist. (Ask the showgirls in the club!). Sinatra gives the character life, partly because the night-club, hard drinking, atmosphere is so in tune with his own private life. The supporting stars, Hayworth and Novak, both looking their best, are credible characters and Hayworth's number "Zip" is a knockout, proving she'd lost none of her dancing ability. The rest of the cast fill out the story beautifully, particularly the little dog! But the film is Sinatra's and his performances of the wonderful Rogers and Hart songs could not be bettered. Great entertainment, great music and a supreme artist at the top of his game. They certainly can't make them like that any more.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Kim Novak
Bobby Sherwood
Barbara Nichols
Frank Sinatra
Rita Hayworth
Creators:
Rita Hayworth (Primary Contributor)
Frank Sinatra (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Cinema Club
Manufacturer: Cinema Club
EAN: 5014756120528
Binding: VHS Tape
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 1998-08-03
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Running time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1957-10-25
Language: English (Original Language)