Pal Joey (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'Pal Joey' (loosely adapted from a 1940 stage musical & directed by George Sidney) is an example of a movie that has many goods except for one glaring problem: I didn't like the story. And so, I give the film a B- because it is executed well enough despite my subjectivity issues. Ambitious nightclub singer/dancer Joey Evans (Frank Sinatra) is kicked outta of town for romancing the mayor's underage daughter {nice, huh?}, & ends up in saucy San Francisco. Joey runs into his old friend/band leader at the Barbary Coast Club & lands a job as an emcee from owner Mike Miggins. Joey hits on beautiful, bleach-blonde, & buxom Linda English (Kim Novak), a "nice girl" from a humble background who works as a lowly chorus girl at said club.
He also has eyes for a rich widow posing as a society lady, Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth); whom he recognizes as a former striptease chorus girl. Soon, he becomes her kept man; and she, his benefactress. Egotistical, restless, & arrogant, Joey realizes his ambition is to be the owner of a club he'd call 'Chez Joey'. And so, he becomes torn btwn. his own greedy instincts & the 2 women who are caught in his web. But Joey stands to lose the club before it even opens unless he makes the right choice in women. Vera gives him an ultimatum: ditch Linda from the show & marry me or else I won't let you run the club. From here on in, ridiculous sentimentality enters the plot; the idea being that the decision Joey makes will show who he truly loves. Well guess what ... Joey - in my eyes - only loves himself.
From beginning to end, Joey treats everyone like dogs. He even treats his dog better than the humans. I don't know if it's the source material, Sinatra's portrayal, or the nature of the title character, but I did NOT like Joey. Interestingly enough, I didn't care for another of Sinatra's big roles; in 1960's Can-Can with Shirley MacLaine. Those characters he plays are just unlikeable; though that opinion may vary depending on who you are. It's all a shame because, like I said, this movie has a lot for it. The color cinematography is gorgeous. The sets (Rita Hayworth's mansion) are eye-popping. The costumes are superb. The music by Rodgers & Hart is fantastic (gotta love songs such as: I Could Write a Book, My Funny Valentine, The Lady is a Tramp, & Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered). And I must note that Sinatra looks/sounds wonderful with all of these songs. Even while singing, no one can make the drag on a cigarette look better than Sinatra.
I also enjoyed the performances by Rita Hayworth & (particularly) Kim Novak. Hayworth just oozes sex appeal, charisma, & a regal nature that you just can't downplay. I wish her wavy reddish hair were down more and not in the matronly bun it was for more of the film, though. And Kim Novak really surprised me. Right from the opening scenes, I found her to be both beguiling AND very naturalistic in the "good girl" role. The way she quietly pines for Joey is heartbreaking. And by the end, you almost wish she would get over him because she doesn't deserve him ... at all. But this is a 1950s schmaltzy musical drama. You can bet that the Hollywood moral code would find a way to ensure a Happy Ending at all costs. Decent film. I just wish I liked the story & the lead character more.
He also has eyes for a rich widow posing as a society lady, Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth); whom he recognizes as a former striptease chorus girl. Soon, he becomes her kept man; and she, his benefactress. Egotistical, restless, & arrogant, Joey realizes his ambition is to be the owner of a club he'd call 'Chez Joey'. And so, he becomes torn btwn. his own greedy instincts & the 2 women who are caught in his web. But Joey stands to lose the club before it even opens unless he makes the right choice in women. Vera gives him an ultimatum: ditch Linda from the show & marry me or else I won't let you run the club. From here on in, ridiculous sentimentality enters the plot; the idea being that the decision Joey makes will show who he truly loves. Well guess what ... Joey - in my eyes - only loves himself.
From beginning to end, Joey treats everyone like dogs. He even treats his dog better than the humans. I don't know if it's the source material, Sinatra's portrayal, or the nature of the title character, but I did NOT like Joey. Interestingly enough, I didn't care for another of Sinatra's big roles; in 1960's Can-Can with Shirley MacLaine. Those characters he plays are just unlikeable; though that opinion may vary depending on who you are. It's all a shame because, like I said, this movie has a lot for it. The color cinematography is gorgeous. The sets (Rita Hayworth's mansion) are eye-popping. The costumes are superb. The music by Rodgers & Hart is fantastic (gotta love songs such as: I Could Write a Book, My Funny Valentine, The Lady is a Tramp, & Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered). And I must note that Sinatra looks/sounds wonderful with all of these songs. Even while singing, no one can make the drag on a cigarette look better than Sinatra.
I also enjoyed the performances by Rita Hayworth & (particularly) Kim Novak. Hayworth just oozes sex appeal, charisma, & a regal nature that you just can't downplay. I wish her wavy reddish hair were down more and not in the matronly bun it was for more of the film, though. And Kim Novak really surprised me. Right from the opening scenes, I found her to be both beguiling AND very naturalistic in the "good girl" role. The way she quietly pines for Joey is heartbreaking. And by the end, you almost wish she would get over him because she doesn't deserve him ... at all. But this is a 1950s schmaltzy musical drama. You can bet that the Hollywood moral code would find a way to ensure a Happy Ending at all costs. Decent film. I just wish I liked the story & the lead character more.