Pal Joey (1957)

Joey Evans' a charming, handsome, funny, talented a-1st class, A-N°.1 - heel. When Joey meets the former chorus girl and now is the rich widow, Vera Simpson, the pair of lecherous souls seem made for each other.

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 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rita Hayworth	...	Mrs. 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' a charming, handsome, funny, talented a-1st class, A-N°.1... heel. When Joey meets the former chorus girl ("she used to be 'Vera...with the vanishing veils'") and now is the rich widow, Vera Simpson, the pair of lecherous souls seem made for each other. That is, until Linda English comes along. Linda's a "mouse on the chorus 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 set-up.

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Plot Keywords:

striptease | cable car | romantic rivalry | manipulative woman | female jealousy | 

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Taglines:

From Your Pal, Columbia!

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Billy Wilder was the original choice to direct, with Mae West and Marlon Brando in the lead roles. He discussed it with Columbia studio head Harry Cohn over lunch one day. Not only did Cohn turn down him as director, but he later sent Wilder a bill for their lunch.

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Goofs

After she stops Joey giving Snuff a chicken leg, Linda picks up her skirt with both hands to sit. The following shot shows her sitting with her hands leaning on the table.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Joey Evans: Now, wait a minute, fellas. You got this all wrong. I never laid a hand on her.
Policeman: Yeah, we got there just in time.
Detective: That's the trouble with you nightclub entertainers, you're all alike. You think you own every dame in the country.
Joey Evans: Now, wait a minute, show me a law in the country that says I can't buy a doll a friendly drink.
Detective: No law. Just don't buy a drink in your hotel room for a doll that's underage.
Policeman: Come on, let's get goin' bud.
Joey Evans: Now, wait a minute, how did I know she was jailbait? She ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Family Guy: Pal Stewie (2018)

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Soundtracks

Plant You Now, Dig You Later
(uncredited)
Music by Richard Rodgers
Performed by the Chorus

User Reviews

If you like musicals of this period, don't miss "Pal Joey."

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 1957 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Pal Joey

Filming Locations:

Pacific Avenue, between Montgomery and Kearny Streets, San Francisco, 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