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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
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).
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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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Joey Evans (Frank Sinatra) is a two-bit night club singer, womanizer, and cad. He lands in a San Francisco saloon and starts romancing a wealthy older woman (Rita Hayworth) and sweet chorus girl (Kim Novak).
When I saw this movie in 1957 I fell head over heels for Frank and the sophisticated night club scene, but now Frank's Joey seems like a heartless sleaze, the clubs are cheap, and the movie is hopelessly dated. It was made at the height of Frank's ring-a-ding-ding movie popularity, though, and he still charms despite playing a mean-spirited and selfish loser who is outweighed by both of his co-stars.Poor Rita looks drab and tired, a far cry from her earlier glory days. Kim is lovely (without those thick eyebrows from "Vertigo"), but her singing voice is a disaster and she isn't much of a dancer. A beatnik-style dance featuring both ladies is just embarrassing.
On the plus side, the songs are terrific. The show is filled with memorable Rodgers and Hart tunes such as "The Lady is a Tramp," "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered," "I Could Write a Book," "There's a Small Hotel," and "My Funny Valentine."
The movie is glossy and pretty with lavish gowns and furs and picturesque San Francisco as a location, but is definitely a product of its time. What was once ultra-cool and sophisticated now seems tawdry and pathetic. Good songs, though.
When I saw this movie in 1957 I fell head over heels for Frank and the sophisticated night club scene, but now Frank's Joey seems like a heartless sleaze, the clubs are cheap, and the movie is hopelessly dated. It was made at the height of Frank's ring-a-ding-ding movie popularity, though, and he still charms despite playing a mean-spirited and selfish loser who is outweighed by both of his co-stars.Poor Rita looks drab and tired, a far cry from her earlier glory days. Kim is lovely (without those thick eyebrows from "Vertigo"), but her singing voice is a disaster and she isn't much of a dancer. A beatnik-style dance featuring both ladies is just embarrassing.
On the plus side, the songs are terrific. The show is filled with memorable Rodgers and Hart tunes such as "The Lady is a Tramp," "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered," "I Could Write a Book," "There's a Small Hotel," and "My Funny Valentine."
The movie is glossy and pretty with lavish gowns and furs and picturesque San Francisco as a location, but is definitely a product of its time. What was once ultra-cool and sophisticated now seems tawdry and pathetic. Good songs, though.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The genius of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart is amplified in this spellbinding musical.After this role, Sinatra became Pal Joey with his trademark hat,suits and mac.With the best nightclub scene ever laid down on celluloid, Sinatra serenades Hayworth with The Lady is a Tramp, whilst Kim Novak is left to muse over her "Funny Valentine" as she attempts a striptease. The plot? Boy sings in club, scores with older woman, sees sense and goes back to young woman has been done before and since, but rarely with this panache, and never with songs like these: zip, bewitched, bothered, and bewildered and I could write a book all make this film a five star experience. Ring-A-Ding- Ding indeed!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Entertaining Classic!
I'm not a big Frank Sinatra fan but Pal Joey was a really good film. It has some good songs, really good score, set design and 3 great leads - Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak and Rita... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Janis Livens
Pal Joey
Some great songs in this musical including 'That's Why the Lady is a Tramp' and 'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered'. Sinatra, Novak and Hayworth at their best.
Published 7 months ago by Raffles Walker
video
a very good video,frank sinatra plays a good part as you would expect in this type of film,realy enjoyed it
Published 7 months ago by G. A. Griffiths
Wowweewowwow!
Despite its Broadway success, Pal Joey took his time reaching thescreen. Gene Kelly came to fame in the title role in the original Broadway production and was the logical first... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Trevor Willsmer
Great Songs...
I hadn't seen this movie for donkeys' years; my memories were fond though faded. So; I got the DVD. `Pal Joey' is not a highly-rated musical. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Seatinthestalls
frank is frank
When I saw this movie a long time ago I was impressed by the way this movie was made, now that I'm seeing this again I can only say this again... Read more
Published 21 months ago by amj2010
Pal Joey DVD
Im afraid that i cannot review this DVD as it did not arrive. I donnot know if it was a postal fault but i was charged for it. Read more
Published on 13 May 2010 by Mrs. Elaine Fegan
pal joey the dvd
I first saw the film many years ago,And enjoyed it imensly .The dvd is exellent
and I enjoyed once again. Read more
and I enjoyed once again. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by Ronald Toone
Don't buy this!
If you loved the silly and amusing theatre production - don't buy this.
Rita Haworth is tragically miscast, Kim Novak ain't worth a mnetion, Frank Sinatra just sings and lines... Read more
Rita Haworth is tragically miscast, Kim Novak ain't worth a mnetion, Frank Sinatra just sings and lines... Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2009 by DGM
Magnificent music: scrawny script
You'd think this would be better than the sum of its parts: Sinatra at the height of his vocal powers, Novak and Hayworth sumptious to look at... Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2009 by Shmorganzola
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