Film Review
John O'Hara's musical play
Pal Joey
was a massive Broadway hit before it found its way onto the big screen,
with Frank Sinatra topping the bill with Rita Hayworth in one of
Columbia's slickest musical extravaganzas. What the plot lacks in
substance, the Rodgers and Hart numbers easily make up for in
class and good old-fashioned razzmatazz. Sinatra's presence alone
would have made this a classic,
but to have Ol' Blue Eyes sharing the limelight with sex goddess Rita
Hayworth and glamour puss Kim Novak is the nearest thing to Heaven for
lovers of the old Hollywood musical.
Pal Joey is the film in which Sinatra sings one of his best known numbers,
The Lady is a Tramp, stealing the
focus from a suitably sultry Hayworth as only he could. Other
numbers include:
There's A Small
Hotel,
I Could Write a Book,
Funny Valentine and a toned
down version of
Bewitched, Bothered
and Bewildered. Every number slots effortlessly into the
narrative so that the film glides along as smoothly as a
paddle-streamer. George Sidney directs the film with
the same effortless élan that distinguishes his other
great musicals, including
Anchors Aweigh (1945),
one of the first films in which Sinatra starred.
Not only is Frank Sinatra on top form as a singer here, his acting skills
are also in good order, although he almost allows himself to be
outstaged by a cuddly pooch in a few scenes. The chemistry between
him and his two leading ladies is spot on and makes for some
interesting character dynamics. Hayworth has rarely looked this
elegant and vulnerable; Novak has never looked more alluring and
innocent. (Who cares if both actresses were dubbed for their
songs?) Basking in the glow of such dazzling female pulchritude, Sinatra appears as
he must have felt - like a man who had just won the national lottery, and who can blame him?
© James Travers 2010
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
Arriving in San Francisco, two-bit cabaret singer Joey Evans soon talks
his way into a night club spot, although his reputation as a serial
philanderer precedes him. Can he help it if women find him
utterly irresistible? Within no time, he has hooked two desirable
young beauties, chorus girl Linda English and wealthy socialite widow
Vera Simpson. The latter is so smitten with Joey that she agrees
to finance his dream project, his own night club. Alas,
Chez Joey looks set to close even
before it opens when Vera jealously suspects that her lover only has
eyes for Linda...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.