PAL JOEY

US, 1957, 111 minutes, Colour.
Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak, Barbara Nichols.
Directed by George Sidney.

Pal Joey is a big brassy musical directed by George Sidney who mode such lavish MGM spectaculars as The Three Musketeers and many musicals like Showboat.

The tone of the film is brash. The music comes from Rogers and Hart and features such popular songs as The Lady is a Tramp, There’s a Small Cafe. Frank Sinatra seems ideally cast in the central role and he brings his popular, even cheeky style to his character. The female leads are Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak. Rita Hayworth at this stage of her career was on the decline, Kim Novak at the height of popularity. They make a strange contrast in sex symbols of Hollywood.

The plot tends to be rather tawdry but in the familiar backstage human drama story. The film is colourful and may appeal to those who are interested in music plus plot.

1. How enjoyable as a musical and drama? Blend of all facets?

2. The impact of the sets, colour, songs and dances? American atmosphere?

3. The atmosphere of the 1950? how well re-created?

4. The film was based on a novel by John O'Hara. His preoccupation with American morals and mores? The fact that it was based on a stage play and a musical?

5. The impact of Frank Sinatra and his style? How satisfactory was the blending of the actor and the screen presence of Sinatra?

6. The presentation of Joey as a con man exploiting people's feelings? attraction to girls, money, con man at jobs? Taking over as compere and pursuing Vera and getting the apartment next to her, taking over Vera's parties, the auction? What insight into this kind of character? The irony of the title 'Pal'?

7. How did he change? What dreams of his own club? His jealousy of Vera, Linda's love, her growing sense of responsibility? Casting - for the strip? His resolution of the difficulties? The importance of the fantasy sequence with Linda and Vera dancing?

8. How convincing and real was the happy ending? Appropriate for this kind of film, the American dream?

9. The film's presentation of the American male and his chauvinism?

10. How attractive was Linda? Kim Novak’s style? Background of Albuquerque, her enjoyment of life, her capacity for love? Her drunk sequence? The effect of the strip on her? Her being prepared to sacrifice her job? A happy ending? A convincing heroine?

11. Vera as a counter to Linda? Theatrical, and strip background? Vulgarity, wealth and widowhood? San Francisco society, loving and using people? Jealousy and pettiness, the happy ending? A convincing character?

12. The contribution of minor characters like Gladys? the owner of the club, Joey's pal, the chorus girls and their devotion to Joey?

13. Comment on the use of the songs for each character eg Joey's singing "The Lady's a Tramp" to Vera? The use of the music for themes throughout the film?

14. How real and unreal are these American musicals? Any insight into America?