Pal Joey Kim Novak - A Look Back At A Classic
Step back in time to 1957, when a musical comedy called "Pal Joey" graced the silver screen, bringing together some truly big names in entertainment. This film, guided by George Sidney's vision, took its basic idea from the Rodgers and Hart musical play of the same name, and it really featured the talents of Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, and Kim Novak. It's a picture that, in some respects, still holds a lot of interest for folks who enjoy a good story with music and a touch of drama, you know, from that particular era of Hollywood.
The movie, "Pal Joey," is a romantic, musical story that captures the experiences of a character named Joey Evans. It explores his relationships and the choices he faces when he encounters different women in his life. This picture is, quite honestly, a very well-known part of the Kim Novak collections, showcasing her abilities alongside other famous people like Rita Hayworth and Frank Sinatra. It's interesting to consider how these big personalities came together for such a memorable production, which, apparently, has quite a history.
The original Broadway show of "Pal Joey" actually first opened its doors at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York City way back on December 25, 1940. It had a pretty good run, too, playing for 374 performances. So, when the movie came out seventeen years later, it had a bit of a legacy to live up to. This film, featuring Kim Novak, Rita Hayworth, and Frank Sinatra, along with Barbara Nichols, tells a tale that, in a way, still resonates with themes of ambition and affection, even all these years later.
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Table of Contents
- Kim Novak's Life and Career
- What's the Story with Pal Joey?
- Who All Appeared in Pal Joey?
- How Did Pal Joey Make It to the Big Screen?
- What Was the Music Like in Pal Joey?
- Did Kim Novak Sing in Pal Joey?
- What Was Kim Novak's Special Request During Filming?
- How Was Pal Joey Received by Viewers?
Kim Novak's Life and Career
Kim Novak, the legendary American actress, truly left her mark on the silver screen. She is, as a matter of fact, very well known for her portrayal in Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo," a picture that many consider a classic. Her wonderful career is showcased in a special collectable limited edition hardbox, which, quite frankly, gives you a good idea of her impact.
Her work in films like "Picnic" from 1955, "Pal Joey" in 1957, "Vertigo" in 1958, and "Bell, Book and Candle" also in 1958, all played a part in making Kim Novak the top movie draw in the world during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Her portrayals, which felt both moving and genuine, really connected with people, and that, you know, is something special for an actor to achieve. She had a way of bringing a certain truth to her characters, which, apparently, resonated deeply with audiences.
| Detail | Information from My Text |
|---|---|
| Known For | Performance in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo, Picnic, Bell, Book and Candle |
| Career Peak | No. 1 box office star in the late '50s and early '60s |
| Performance Style | Poignant and true life portrayals |
What's the Story with Pal Joey?
"Pal Joey" is, at its heart, a story about a cabaret singer named Joey Evans, and his romantic entanglements. The plot, as it unfolds, sees Joey charm a rich woman from high society, Rita Hayworth's character, into getting money to open his own place for music. However, things get a bit complicated when he becomes smitten with a very appealing dancer, played by Kim Novak. This creates a bit of a dilemma for Joey, forcing him to choose between the path that could help his career and the feelings he has developed for someone else. It's a classic tale, in a way, of ambition versus affection, and how those two things can sometimes clash quite dramatically.
The central conflict really takes shape when Joey, who has an easy connection with Vera Simpson, played by Rita Hayworth, finds himself drawn to Linda, portrayed by Kim Novak. Vera, a woman who used to dance in the chorus line and had since come into a lot of money, offers Joey a comfortable arrangement. They are, in some respects, two people with a fondness for playful flirtation who appeared to be a perfect match for each other, at least on the surface. But then Linda enters his life, and suddenly, Joey has to pick between what's convenient and something much deeper, something that, you know, feels far more real to him. This particular choice forms the emotional core of the picture, giving it a certain weight beyond just the songs and dances.
Who All Appeared in Pal Joey?
The cast of "Pal Joey" was, quite frankly, packed with some of the biggest names of the era, which, honestly, really added to its appeal. The film featured the talents of Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, and Kim Novak in the main roles. Beyond these three prominent individuals, Barbara Nichols also had a part in the picture. The dynamic between Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak, in particular, was something that captured a lot of attention, as they both competed for the focus of Frank Sinatra's character, Joey, throughout the story. It was, in a way, a battle of charms on screen, which, you know, makes for compelling viewing.
Harry Cohn, who was the head of Columbia Studios at the time, even suggested Marlene Dietrich for the role of Vera Simpson, which is interesting to think about. Ultimately, though, Rita Hayworth took on that part. Hayworth was cast as the older woman in the story, while Kim Novak played the younger woman, Linda. This casting choice really set up the kind of romantic tension that the story needed, with each actress bringing her own distinct style to the screen. It's pretty clear that the studio put a lot of thought into who would play these significant roles, and the combination of these stars, too, almost certainly drew a large audience.
How Did Pal Joey Make It to the Big Screen?
The journey of "Pal Joey" from a stage production to a motion picture was, apparently, a rather long one. It needed seventeen years to finally become a movie after its initial Broadway run. The original Broadway play actually starred Gene Kelly, who, of course, was a very well-known dancer and actor. When Kelly later went to MGM, there was a plan for it to be made into a film there, and the idea was that Kelly would play the same part he did on the stage. However, for whatever reason, that particular version never came to be, and the project remained in development for quite some time, which, you know, isn't all that unusual for big productions in Hollywood.
It's interesting to consider how many hands a project like this passes through before it finally gets made. The fact that it took so long for "Pal Joey" to reach the big screen suggests that there might have been a lot of different ideas about how to adapt it, or perhaps some challenges in getting the right combination of talent and resources together. When it finally did get made in 1957, it was under the guidance of George Sidney, and it featured a different set of stars, bringing a fresh perspective to the story that had, in a way, been waiting for its cinematic moment for nearly two decades. That kind of perseverance, too, is something that really stands out when you look at the history of films.
What Was the Music Like in Pal Joey?
The music in "Pal Joey" is, of course, a big part of what makes it a musical, and it features tunes from the Rodgers and Hart songbook. While Frank Sinatra, as Joey, sang all of his character's songs, it's worth noting that the singing for Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak was actually done by other people. Jo Ann Greer sang for Rita Hayworth, and Trudi Erwin sang for Kim Novak, or Trudi Stevens, as she was also known. This practice of having other vocalists provide the singing for actors was, you know, not uncommon in Hollywood during that period, especially for actors who might not have been primarily singers themselves. Hayworth, however, was allowed to record the introductions to her songs, which, in a way, still allowed her voice to be present in the musical numbers.
The movie's music collection first came out on November 11, 1957, and it really made an impact. One of the tunes from the picture, "The Lady Is a Tramp," shot up to the number two spot on the charts, which is pretty impressive. It shows just how popular the music was with the public at the time. Sadly, though, the original 1957 recording of the "Pal Joey" music collection is right now, apparently, just not available for listening online, which is a bit of a shame for fans who want to experience that particular piece of history. It means that to hear those specific recordings, you'd likely need to find a physical copy, which, you know, can be a bit of a treasure hunt these days.
Did Kim Novak Sing in Pal Joey?
When it comes to the singing in "Pal Joey," it's a common question whether the stars themselves provided their own vocals. In the case of Kim Novak, her singing was, in fact, done by someone else, a vocalist named Trudi Erwin, or Trudi Stevens. This was also the case for Rita Hayworth, whose singing was provided by Jo Ann Greer. So, while you see Kim Novak on screen performing the songs, the actual voices you hear for her musical numbers are not her own. This was, as a matter of fact, a fairly standard practice in Hollywood during that time, especially for actors who were primarily known for their acting rather than their singing abilities. It allowed the filmmakers to ensure a certain vocal quality for the musical performances, even if the on-screen talent wasn't a professional singer.
It's interesting to consider how this kind of vocal arrangement might have influenced the audience's perception of the film, or, you know, how it might have been received by music critics. Despite the fact that their singing was done by other people, both Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak still delivered performances that were considered strong and memorable in the picture. This suggests that their acting and screen presence were powerful enough to carry the musical numbers, even without their own voices. The focus, it seems, was on the overall portrayal and the story being told, which, you know, is pretty important for a musical drama like "Pal Joey."
What Was Kim Novak's Special Request During Filming?
Kim Novak, it seems, had a rather unusual request during the making of the 1957 musical "Pal Joey," where she appeared alongside Frank Sinatra and Rita Hayworth. Despite the film being set in a city, Novak, who really cared a lot for her horses, apparently made it clear she needed them kept right there on the studio grounds, or at least very nearby. This was, you know, a pretty unique demand for an actress working on a big Hollywood picture, especially one that didn't involve horses in the story itself. It shows just how deeply attached she was to her animals and how much she wanted them close by, even while working on a demanding film schedule. This kind of personal request, too, almost certainly raised a few eyebrows on set, but it seems to have been accommodated.
The fact that she was able to insist on something like this really gives you a glimpse into her personality and, perhaps, the kind of sway she had as a top star at the time. Most actors, in some respects, wouldn't be in a position to make such a specific and personal demand that wasn't directly related to their performance or the story. But Kim Novak, being a major draw, apparently had the ability to do so. It's a little detail from behind the scenes that, frankly, adds a bit of color to the story of how "Pal Joey" came to be. It highlights the unique characters involved in making these classic films, and how their personal lives, in a way, sometimes intersected with their professional ones.
How Was Pal Joey Received by Viewers?
"Pal Joey" is generally considered a pretty strong musical story, and it was made even better by the wonderful acting from its three main performers, especially Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak. While it was sold to the public as a musical, many people felt it was really more of a drama with songs, which, you know, is a bit of a distinction. Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak were quite charming in this more cheerful version of the original stage show, which had a rather downbeat feel. However, some viewers might have left the picture feeling a little put off by how hard it seemed to try and make Rita Hayworth's character seem less important. This particular aspect of the adaptation, apparently, didn't sit well with everyone who saw it.
One person mentioned finishing "Pal Joey" from 1957 feeling a little sad, even though the picture seemed to aim for happiness. This suggests that the adaptation of the original play from 1940, which was pretty dark, got a happier spin for the screen, but perhaps not everyone found that change entirely successful. The original play was known for being quite cynical, so putting a happy face on it for Hollywood was, you know, a pretty big creative decision. Despite any mixed feelings about the adaptation's tone, the film is still recognized for its strong performances and its place in the history of musical cinema. It's interesting to see how a story can be changed and reinterpreted for different audiences and different times, and "Pal Joey" is a good example of that process.
The picture is a romantic, musical story that captures the experiences of Joey Evans. When Joey meets Vera Simpson, a woman who used to dance in the chorus line and had since come into a lot of money, the two people with a fondness for playful flirtation appeared to be a perfect match for each other. "Pal Joey" is, as a matter of fact, a really wonderful film and a part of the Kim Novak collections. It features Kim Novak, Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, and Barbara Nichols. Hayworth was cast as the older woman, with Kim Novak playing the younger woman. Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth competed for the focus of Frank Sinatra's character in "Pal Joey," a 1957 song and dance film set in San Francisco. While Sinatra sang all of Joey's songs, Jo Ann Greer sang for Rita Hayworth, and Trudi Erwin sang for Kim Novak. The movie's music collection first came out on November 11, 1957, sending "The Lady Is a Tramp" to number two. Sadly, the 1957 recording of the "Pal Joey" music collection is right now just not available for listening online. Joey has an easy connection with Vera (Rita Hayworth), a former dancer who is now a rich widow. But when Linda (Kim Novak) enters his life, Joey suddenly has to pick between what's convenient and something much deeper. "Pal
Kim Novak-Pal Joey 3 Stock Photo - Alamy
Kim novak pal joey 1957 directed by hi-res stock photography and images
Pal Joey, (PAL JOEY) USA 1957, Regie: George Sidney, FRANK SINATRA, KIM
