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Pal Joey

Play trailer Poster for Pal Joey 1957,  1h 51m,  Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 89% 55 Reviews Tomatometer 60% 2,500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Joey Evans (Frank Sinatra) is a philandering San Francisco-based singer with big dreams of starting his own nightclub, Chez Joey, but chasing women keeps him even more occupied. Despite making a meaningful connection with lovely chorus girl Linda English (Kim Novak), it doesn't stop him from seducing the wealthy widow, and ex-burlesque dancer, Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth), who he hopes will bankroll his club. Ultimately, Joey has to decide who -- and what -- he most wants in life.
Pal Joey

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Anchored by a charismatic Frank Sinatra, Pal Joey thrives as a slick, song-driven musical, even as it tones down the bite of its stage origins.

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Critics Reviews

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Sumner Rand Orlando Sentinel Apr 1, 2026
Pal Joey...contains the best score Rodgers and Hart ever turned out for a Broadway show, and Frank Sinatra really does it justice. Go to Full Review
Kate Cameron New York Daily News Apr 1, 2026
3.5/4
Columbia has given the film a slick and lavish production and Sinatra does full justice to "There's A Small Hotel," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "I Could Write a Book," and "Do It the Hard Way." Go to Full Review
TIME Staff TIME Magazine Apr 1, 2026
The show is saved by Frank Sinatra, who does a tremendous job in the title role. Pal Joey was a hoofer in the play, and Sinatra does not dance a step in the film, but somehow he crowds the screen with rhythm every time he moves. Go to Full Review
Wanda Gibson Fresno Bee Apr 1, 2026
Pal Joey, a watered down motion picture version of the Broadway musical, is a pleasant evening's entertainment, especially for fans of Frank Sinatra, but Hollywood's superlatives do not apply. Go to Full Review
Irvine J. Vidacovich Jr. Times-Picayune Apr 1, 2026
Actor-crooner Sinatra was probably the only star who could play Joey on the screen, and with Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak providing the curves - well, why elaborate. Go to Full Review
Ray Oviatt Toledo Blade Apr 1, 2026
...this is a pretty tangy show retaining, within the limits of motion picture propriety, the earthiness of Mr. O'Hara's book. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rey S Mar 25, 2019 Like a lot of musical adaptations of the mid 20th century, the filmmakers attempted to completely rewrite the source material but ended up with something barely coherent. See more
Feb 2, 2019 The best musical movie ever made! With the best movie song ever sung: My Funny Valentine!
Theodore G Mar 15, 2018 I'm lukewarm on Frank Sinatra's acting ability, but this is the perfect role for him. He does a great job both being charming and borderline inappropriate. The plot reminds me of An American in Paris, with the guy stuck between the rich woman who is financing him and the young girl who he's in love with. There are some great songs here (The Lady is a Tramp, Bewitched). It sputters a bit toward the end but still a solid '50s musical. See more
Hermione R Jan 6, 2018 Frank Sinatra gives a quintessential performance in this sanitized version of the Broadway musical; Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak (both with dubbed singing voices) play the love interests; great Rodgers & Hart tunes include "I Could Write a Book," "The Lady Is a Tramp," and "My Funny Valentine." See more
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Pal Joey

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Cast & Crew

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George Sidney

Director

Rita Hayworth

Vera Simpson

Frank Sinatra

Joey Evans

Kim Novak

Linda English

Barbara Nichols

Gladys

Bobby Sherwood

Ned Galvin

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Pal Joey

Pal Joey (1957) Pal Joey (1957) Pal Joey (1957) Pal Joey (1957) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Joey Evans (Frank Sinatra) is a philandering San Francisco-based singer with big dreams of starting his own nightclub, Chez Joey, but chasing women keeps him even more occupied. Despite making a meaningful connection with lovely chorus girl Linda English (Kim Novak), it doesn't stop him from seducing the wealthy widow, and ex-burlesque dancer, Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth), who he hopes will bankroll his club. Ultimately, Joey has to decide who -- and what -- he most wants in life.
Director
George Sidney
Producer
Fred Kohlmar
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 25, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2010
Runtime
1h 51m
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