PAL JOEY

CAPSULE REVIEW –– Sinatra teams up with two of Hollywood's sexiest leading ladies – the red-hot Hayworth and the cool-blonde Novak – in this by the numbers musical. Frank plays Joey Evans a talented singer infamous for his way with the ladies, which usually lands him out of a job. He's determined to turn over a new leaf in San Francisco, to finally make something of himself. He promises to bring in high class customers, but is more interested in wooing one of the chorus girls. Linda (Novak) is a talented and classy young woman who wants nothing to do with Joey – at first. His easy charm soon has her and Ms. Simpson (Hayworth), a wealthy widow, on the hook. However, by using himself as the bait, he ends up with one of them controlling his heart and the other his career. Joey's torn between his naked ambition and seeing Linda naked. It's not hard to guess which desire wins. Hayworth and Novak present an interesting contrast through their characters, a true changing of the goddess guard. Both are strong, intelligent, decent women wrapped in intense sex appeal. They are both wonderful here. Sinatra is his usual charming self, though he never really connects emotionally with either of the ladies. Of course with that voice, who cares. An entertaining flick with great songs, great dames and a good sense of humor.