Pal Joey (1957)

Joey Evans is charming, handsome, funny, talented, and a first class, A-number-one heel. When Joey meets the former chorus girl ("She used to be 'Vera...with the Vanishing Veils'") and now ... See full summary »

Director:

George Sidney

Writers:

Dorothy Kingsley (screenplay), John O'Hara (from the musical play book by)

Stars:

Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rita Hayworth	...	Vera Prentice-Simpson
Frank Sinatra	...	Joey Evans
Kim Novak	...	Linda English
Barbara Nichols	...	Gladys
Bobby Sherwood	...	Ned Galvin
Hank Henry	...	Mike Miggins
Elizabeth Patterson	...	Mrs. Casey
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Franklyn Farnum	...	Guest at Charity Ball (scenes deleted)
Bess Flowers	...	Guest at Charity Ball (scenes deleted)
Pierre Watkin	...	Mr. Forsythe (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Joey Evans is charming, handsome, funny, talented, and a first class, A-number-one heel. When Joey meets the former chorus girl ("She used to be 'Vera...with the Vanishing Veils'") and now rich widow Vera Simpson, the two lecherous souls seem made for each other. That is, until Linda English comes along. Linda is a "mouse on the line" and built like there's no tomorrow. But she's the typical good little girl from a good little home -- just the right ingredient to louse up Joey's cushy set up.

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Plot Keywords:

chorus girl | fantasy sequence | backstage | bathtub | jealousy | 

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Taglines:

From Your Pal, Columbia!

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fickós Joey

Filming Locations:

Berkeley Train Station - 4th Street and University Avenue, Berkeley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Essex Productions, George Sidney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rita Hayworth's own singing voice is heard in the introductions to her songs otherwise dubbed by Jo Ann Greer.

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Goofs

Just before the Linda's arrival, Mrs. Simpson lights a cigarette and holds it with her right hand. Between cuts it appears in her left hand.

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Quotes

Linda English: What did I do last night?
Joey Evans: You kissed me.
Linda English: I wasn't myself.
Joey Evans: Whoever you were, you were great!

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Connections

Referenced in Full House: Pal Joey (1989)

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Soundtracks

"My Funny Valentine"
(uncredited)
Music by Richard Rodgers
Words by Lorenz Hart
Performed by Kim Novak (dubbed by 'Trudy Erwin' (a.k.a. Trudy Stevens)

User Reviews

Hayworth SIZZLES in this lavish musical production!

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!