Musical numbers

Re-used

Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Music by Richard Rodgers
Produced by Columbia
Directed by George Sidney
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak
Screenplay by Dorothy Kingsley
Academy Award Nomination for best art direction, Sound Recording and Film Editing.
Overview
 Overview    Columbia Pictures originally obtained the screen rights to Pal Joey in 1941. When they were going to make a movie out of it they wanted Rita to play the younger showgirl, Linda and have her opposite Gene Kelly as Joey in an attempt to rekindle the success they had in Cover Girl. Vivienne Segal was to play Vera, the older woman. Both Vivienne and Gene would've been reprising the original roles they played in the Broadway version of Pal Joey. Unfortunately, MGM wouldn't loan Kelly to Columbia Pictures so the original screen version of Pal Joey was shelved.

For the screen version of Pal Joey that finally made it to the screen Columbia Pictures first wanted Marlene Dietrich or Mae West to play Vera. When that didn't work out Rita was offered the role of Vera, which she eagerly accepted. Frank Sinatra would play Joey and Kim Novak was given the plum role of Linda English. Rita would be playing the older woman but she was actually three years younger than Frank. At the time Frank was at the height of his success as a movie star so there was question as to who would receive top billing, Rita or Frank. Rita was given star billing and Frank said, "Who else but Rita should get top billing? After all, in my mind, she always was and always will be Columbia Pictures! The studio may have built her into a star but just remember it was Rita Hayworth who gave Columbia status."

Another thing people thought would be a problem was the casting of Kim Novak as the younger girl. People thought there'd be some sort of feud between Rita and Kim because Kim Novak was the actress Columbia Pictures was building up as Hollywood's new "love goddess", but there was no such rivalry. The two actresses got along well during filming. Years later, Kim remembered Rita fondly, saying, "she was always charming and gracious."


Reviews
Blighted Hollywoodization of the musical by John O'Hara, Richard Rodgers, and Lorenz Hart, with the score purified along with Joey's character. The heel-heroÑa hoofer in the Broadway versionÑis now a crooner, in line with the talents of Frank Sinatra. His singing helps things along, and he also does the only acting, though Kim Novak's vacuity is rather touching and isn't as laborious as Rita Hayworth's performance. (It is said that the studio was out to break Hayworth; she certainly doesn't seem to be getting a fair shake here.) This sad botch was directed by George Sidney; choreography by Hermes Pan. The songs include "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" "Bewitched," "The Lady Is a Tramp," and "There's a Small Hotel." With Elizabeth Patterson and Barbara Nichols. Script by Dorothy Kingsley, based on O'Hara's stage version of his stories in The New Yorker, written as a series of letters, signed "Your Pal Joey." The singing voice of Novak was dubbed by Trudy Erwin; Hayworth's singing was dubbed by Jo Ann Greer.


Overview
33" nowrap>  On TV   



Overview
33" nowrap>  Discography   

Concert Cast 1995
Studio Cast 1950
London Revival - 1980
Revival Cast Members - 1952
Studio Cast - (1957)
Film Cast
Pal Joey by Kenny Drew (Trio jazz )
Pal Joey Suite (Phil Wilson & the NDR Big Bannd)

Merchandise
Video & DVD




Sheet music:




Cds:
More Info Buy It NOW!
Pal Joey (1950 Studio Cast)
Pal Joey (1980 London Cast)
Pal Joey: 1995 Original New York Cast...
Pal Joey (1952 Broadway Revival Cast)
Pal Joey
Best Of Broadway, Volume 3: Pal Joey
Modern Jazz Performances Of Songs From...
Pal Joey Suite
Pal Joey by Kenny Drew
Pal Joey by Andre Previn


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