Review of Pal Joey (1957) by Blake P — 02 Feb 2012

Small time nightclub singer Joey Evans (Sinatra) wants to hit a bigger joint, and ropes in wealthy socialite and ex-performer Vera Simpson (Hayworth) into financing his dream nightclub. As his goal ends up becoming a reality, sexy but good-natured performer Linda English (Novak) enters into his life-- and his heart-- which angers the newly smitten Vera.

"Pal Joey" is one of the most underrated musicals of the '50's, if not of all time. Filmed in eye-popping Technicolor, instead of being just another run- of- the- mill musical, "Pal Joey" features some of the biggest songs of the decade, including "The Lady is a Tramp", "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered", "My Funny Valentine" and more.

But it's done with such style and grace that the film ends up being top-notch without having tons of show-stopping numbers other movies of the same genre have endured. Plus, we get a Golden Globe winning performance by Sinatra, great acting from newly famous Kim Novak, and a diabolical performance by the slowly fading Rita Hayworth in her last great movie.

"Pal Joey" is one of the quintessential Frank Sinatra musicals that should be rated more highly in the big movie book of best musicals. Recommended.