Pal Joey - 1957

Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak. Awesome.

The definition of Debonair is courteous, gracious, and having a sophisticated charm: a debonair gentleman. Jaunty; carefree; sprightly. Or in other words - Frank Sinatra!

Yes he can sing, but man this guy is so smooth as an actor that I had to keep shave my scruffy face right before the show so that my face would match his performance.

Hayworth was 40 years old when she made this movie. It was apparent to me during this film that Hayworth really only had a 10-15 year window to be a beautiful star. She was an alcoholic and a chain smoker her entire adult life. By 40 she looked like she was 50. her face is weathered and worn out. I have read that the media really beat her up during the last 25 years of her life because of her drinking. When she died at age 67 she had been suffering from Alzheimer's for 25 years but it went undiagnosed for 15 years according to her family. By age 50 she couldn't remember one line and producers and directors refused to cast her in movies because she just couldn't remember a line even if someone fed it to her - same as Brando in his older years (like when he was 70 not 50 like Hayworth)!

Okay back to the movie. Sinatra play Joey - the slickest nightclub performer of the 1950's (my guess). IMDB states this movies as - Joey Evans is charming, handsome, funny, talented, and a first class, A-number-one heel. When Joey meets the former chorus girl ("She used to be 'Vera...with the Vanishing Veils'") and now rich widow Vera Simpson, the two lecherous souls seem made for each other. That is, until Linda English comes along. Linda is 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 cushy set up.

Novak plays Linda English. Hayworth plays Vera Simpson. A night club performer who retires when she marries into money. Joey is able to win her over by treating her for what she truly is on the inside - a dame, rather than a rich woman.

3.5 stars because Sinatra is just fantastic in this one. I love all ths songs, it almost makes it feel like a musical, but there really is only 4 songs.