Pal Joey (1957)-"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered"

Cast:

Rita Hayworth ... Vera Simpson
Frank Sinatra ... Joey Evans
Kim Novak ... Linda English
Barbara Nichols ... Gladys
Bobby Sherwood ... Ned Galvin
Hank Henry ... Mike Miggins
Elizabeth Patterson ... Mrs. Casey

The rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Leon Alton ... Printer Salesman (uncredited)
Isabel Analla ... (uncredited)
Robert Anderson ... Policeman (uncredited)
Maurice Argent ... Second Tailor (uncredited)
Tol Avery ... Detective (uncredited)
Rita Barrett ... Stripper (uncredited)
Eddie Bartell ... Barker (uncredited)
Steve Benton ... Electrician (uncredited)
Barry Bernard ... Vera's Butler (uncredited)
Gail Bonney ... Heavyset Woman (uncredited)
Sue Boomer ... Secretary (uncredited)
Paul Cesari ... Pet Store Co-Owner (uncredited)
George Chan ... Chinese Pianist (uncredited)
Barrie Chase ... Dancer in Daydream Sequence (uncredited)
Sydney Chatton ... Barker (uncredited)
Nellie Gee Ching ... Chinese Dancer (uncredited)
Jane Chung ... Flower Lady (uncredited)
Jean Corbett ... Dancer (uncredited)
Oliver Cross ... Bit Part (uncredited)
Judy Dan ... Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
Giselle D'Arc ... Vera's Maid (uncredited)
Jules Davis ... Red-Faced Man (uncredited)
George DeNormand ... Bit Part (uncredited)
Helen Elliot ... Travelers' Aid (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum ... Person (uncredited) E
Elizabeth Fenton ... Chinese Dancer (uncredited)
Michael Ferris ... First Tailor (uncredited)
Bess Flowers ... Person (uncredited)
George Ford ... Electrician (uncredited)
Allen Gin ... Chinese Drummer (uncredited)
Everett Glass ... Pet Store Owner (uncredited)
Bob Glenn ... Sailor (uncredited)
Connie Graham ... Stripper (uncredited)
Bobbie Jean Henson ... Stripper (uncredited)
John Hubbard ... Stanley (uncredited)
Ellie Kent ... Carol (uncredited)
Cheryl Kubert ... Girl Friend (uncredited)
Pat Lynn ... Chinese Dancer (uncredited)
Ramon Martinez ... Headwaiter (uncredited)
Mara McAfee ... Sabrina (uncredited)
Henry McCann ... Shorty (uncredited)
Raymond A. McWalters ... Army Captain (uncredited)
Joe Miksak ... Barker (uncredited)
Ernesto Molinari ... Tony the Chef (uncredited)
Robin Morse ... Bartender (uncredited)
Jean Nakaba ... Chinese Dancer (uncredited)
Al Nalbandian ... Barker (uncredited)
George Nardelli ... Headwaiter (uncredited)
Bek Nelson ... Lola (uncredited)
Ilsa Ostroffsky ... Stripper (uncredited)
Roberto Piperio ... Waiter (uncredited)
Edith Powell ... Stripper (uncredited)
Jack Railey ... Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited)
Mabel Rea ... (uncredited)
Robert Reed ... Boy Friend (uncredited)
Hermie Rose ... Bald Club Owner (uncredited)
James Seay ... Livingston (uncredited)
Howard Sigrist ... Sidewalk Photographer (uncredited)
Jo Ann Smith ... Stripper (uncredited)
Genie Stone ... Girl (uncredited)
Frank Sully ... Barker (uncredited)
Betty Utey ... Patsy (uncredited)
Pierre Watkin ... Mr. Forsythe (uncredited)
Frank Wilcox ... Col. Langley (uncredited)
Frank Wilimarth ... Sidewalk Artist (uncredited)
Andrew Wong ... Chinese Club Owner (uncredited)
Lessie Lynne Wong ... Chinese Dancer (uncredited)
Barbara Yung ... Chinese Dancer

Crew:

John O'hara-Author 
George Sidney: Director
Dorothy Kingsley: Writer - based on the musical play 
Lorenz Hart: Source for Musical and Film
Richard Rodgers: Source for Musical and Film
Fred Kohlmar: Producer
Harold Lipstein: Cinematographer - Technicolor
Viola Lawrence: Editor
Jerome Thoms: Editor
Nelson Riddle: Musical Conductor
Walter Holscher: Art Director
William Kiernan: Set Decorator
Louis Diage: Set Decorator
Jean Louis: Costumes
Hermes Pan: Choreography
Ben Lane: Make Up
Helen Hunt: Hair

*This is the last post  in the 3 part seris of movies based on John O'Hara novels/shortstories

Behind the Curtain:

The original 1940 Broadway production was directed by George Abbott and starred Gene Kelly. There have been several revivals since, including a 2008–2009 Broadway run, and this 1957 film adaptation starring Frank Sinatra,Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak.

It is  based on a character and situations John O'Hara created in a series of short stories published in The New Yorker.

Lots of great songs  featuring Frank Sinatra, with words and music from Rodgers and Hart. Rita's voice was dubbed by Joann Greer. Kim's voice was dubbed by  Trudy Erwin.

• "There's A Small Hotel"
• "I Could Write A Book"
• "The Lady is a Tramp"
• "My Funny Valentine"
• "Zip"
• "What Do I Care For a Dame"
• "A Great Big Town"
• "I Didn't Know What Time It Was"
• "That Terrific Rainbow"
• "Bewitched"
• "Do It the Hard Way"
• "Plant You Now, Dig You Later"
• "Take Him"
• "Happy Hunting Horn"

Plot:

Frank Sinatra, riding high as an actor and a singer in 1957, the chance to play Joey Evans in the screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Pal Joey must have seemed irresistible, because Joey is nothing less than a failed Frank Sinatra. Frank sings several songs in the movie and he is  great!  He's a saloon singer who bounces from town to town, dame to dame, always hungry for the big time but too much of a heel and a phony to ever make it.

After being kicked out of one town he ends up in San Francisco. He winds up at  a floundering saloon that has lots of pretty dames for him to make passes at.  An old friend,Ned Galvin (Bobby Sherwood)is the saloon piano player. One of the dancers is wholesome Linda English (Kim Novak) and Joey  he is floored by her. Joey shows the owner that he can sing by belting out "There's a Small Hotel." The owner hires him on a temporary basis. Later that evening, the entire band is hired by society widow Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth). It turns out that she is a former stripper and is talked into performing her signature song "STRIP " at the charity auction.  Joey flirts and makes passes at Vera while Gawking at Linda. Vera shoots him down,but Linda does not have a clue at this point in the movie.

Next Ned walks Linda home, and Joey tags along. There happens to be a room available in Linda's building and Joey rents it. Very Interesting!

A few nights later, Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth) comes into the bar and claims she wants a serenade; after giving Joey the brush off at the auction, but she falls victim to his street-smart charms, especially after he croons "The Lady Is a Tramp."  The look on Vera's face is priceless.  Later, Vera sings "Bewitched ,Bothered and Bewildered." Rita's songs were dubbed by Joann Greer.

At one point Linda (Kim Novak) mouths "My Funny Valentine."  Actually sung by  Trudy Stevens.

Joey and Vera become a couple and she sets the crooner up in the swankiest nightclub on Nob Hill, to be called (what else?) Chez Joey, while also installing him on her lavish houseboat.

Will Joey be a kept man, complete with a fully monogrammed wardrobe, or go for true love? Hey, it was the '50s, so you can probably guess the ending. Also, I did not mention "Scruffy." He is a pooch that Linda and Joey adopt.

Goofs:

When Vera Simpson is singing "Bewitched" there is a very obvious mismatch between her lips and the words as she is turning away from the window.

Watch Frank  behind Rita Hayworth during the auction scene and "Strip" number. Swinging Frank  looks like he is having a ball!
 
Quotes:
Linda English: What did I do last night?
Joey Evans: You kissed me.
Linda English: I wasn't myself.
Joey Evans: Whoever you were, you were great!

Joey Evans: You treat a dame like a lady and a lady like a dame.


Awards:
1958 Academy AwardsNominated Best Art Direction
Nominated Best Costume Design
Nominated Best Film Editing
Nominated Best Sound Recording 
1958 Golden GlobesWon -Best Actor (Music/Comedy)-Frank Sinatra
Nominated-Golden Globe Best Motion Picture-Musical/Comedy  

Review:
With gorgeous location photography, a Richard Rogers score, and three terrific lead performances,add a cute doggie, and  Pal Joey is worth your time. It's a Gasser Man!

From The Terrace (1960)

This is the first in a three part seris on movies made from John O'Hara novels.

Cast:
Paul Newman - Alfred Eaton
Joanne Woodward - Mary St John
Myrna Loy - Martha Eaton
Ina Balin - Natalie
Leon Ames - Samuel Eaton
Elizabeth Allen - Sage Rimmington
Barbara Eden - Clemmie
George Grizzard - Lex Porter
Patrick O'Neal - Dr Jim Roper
Felix Aylmer - MacHardie
Raymond Greenleaf - Fritz Thornton
Malcolm Atterbury - George Fry
Raymond Bailey - Mr St John
Ted DeCorsia - Mr Benziger
Howard Caine - Duffy
Kathryn Givney - Mrs St John
Dorothy Adams - Mrs Benziger
Lauren Gilbert - Frolick
Blossom Rock - Nellie
Cecil Elliott - Josephine
Rory Harrity - Steve Rimmington
Ottola Nesmith - Lady Sevringham
Clive L. Halliday - Lord Sevringham
Gordon B. Clarke - Weinkoop
Ralph Dunn - Jones
Felippa Rock - Jean Duffy
Jimmy Martin - Sandy
William Quinn - Von Elm
Stuart Randall - Kelly
John Harding - Newton Orchid
Sally Winn - Mrs Pearson
Elektra Rozanska - Mrs Ripley
Clemmie Shreve-Barbara Eden


Crew:
Director and Producer-Mark Robson
Screenplay - Ernest Lehman
Source Material (from novel) - John O'Hara
Director of Photography - Leo Tover
Director of Photography - Sam Leavitt
Editor - Dorothy Spencer
Music - Elmer Bernstein
Art Direction - Lyle R. Wheeler
Art Direction - Maurice Ransford
Art Direction - Michael Richman
Set Deocrator - Walter M. Scott
Set Decorator - Paul S. Fox
Assistant Director - Hal Herman
Sound - Harry M. Leonard
Sound - Alfred Bruzlin
Musical Orchestration - Edward G. Powell
Special Effects - L. B. Abbott
Special Effects - James B. Gordon
Color Consultant - Leonard Doss
Makeup - Ben Nye
Hairstyles - Helen Turpin

Casting Notes:
Myrna Loy was an unexpected choice as Alfred's alchoholic,cheating mother. She does an excellent job.

Look for Barbara Eden in the Party Scene at the beginning of the movie. She has a few lines of dialog.

Production Notes:
O'hara's book was  a huge, bulging with an army of characters, and scanning the lifetime of one Alfred Eaton, a millionaire, who reached his fifties spiritually bankrupt—after two wives, children, mistresses and two wars. The film had to be cut to show only 15 yrs of Alfred's life.  Also, Alfred and Mary were childless in the film.

The film was released on July 16, 1960.

Plot:
The screen play was based on a best-selling novel of the same name by John O'Hara.  This is a handsome picture, well-performed and emotionally intriguing as it describes the rise of a young business man and the corrosive dead-lock of his loveless marriage.  Newman and  Woodward,(real life spouses) are supported by a great cast. Leon Ames and Myrna Loy play his parents.  George Grizzard, Patrick O'Neal and Elizabeth Allen do well in minor roles

Wealthy Philadelphian iron and steel heir Alfred Eaton (Paul Newman) wants no part of his father's (Leon Ames) business. He returns home to find the house empty and no one to meet him at the train station. The next scene shows Martha Eaton (Mryna Loy)drunk and passed out on an empty train.  Alfred learns that his father has gone to pick up his drunk mother. After experiencing horrors of war, and seeing upon his return home how his father hasn't warmed to him in the slightest, Alfred wants to strike out on his own. Years earlier, Samuel, his father (Leon Ames),  spurned Alfred after another son died young.  Samuel's  coldness also  helped turn his wife, Martha ,into an alcoholic adultress.  When Alfred tell his father about his plans, Sam to tells Alfred why he really doesn't love him, before dropping dead of a heart attack. Freed from his father's crushing, unloving influence, Alfred joins up with rich pal Lex Porter(George Grizzard), to design aircraft. Then, he pursues an engaged society girl Mary St. John and eventually marries her. A few years later, his career then takes an unexpected turn along with his marriage.

 Through a strange twist of fate, Alfred saves the life of mega-wealthy investment banker, James Duncan MacHardie's (Felix Aylmer) grandson, and guess who's on the fast-track to a partnership with the prestigious firm? After years of hard, punishing work away from home, Alfred loses his philandering wife to a former beau, swinger/swapper Dr. Jim Roper (Patrick O'Neal).

Will Alfred risk his career with a stuffy Wall Street firm by divorcing a restless, frankly promiscuous wife, who likes the "arrangement"? On a business trip, he meets Natalie, daughter of a coal mine owner and realizes that he is unhappy with his life and wants a "real" family. Natalie is played my Ina Balin, she is fresh-faced and sweet to watch. Should he start all over with a decent out-of-town girl (beautifully played by Miss Balin) who loves him?  Along the way their are juicy twists and turns that keep you interested. Watch the movie to find out who Alfred picks.

Costumes:
Studio costume designer Travilla should be noted for his wonderful costumes. He was most famous for his designs in the 50's for Marilyn Monroe. Here he presents a stunningly elegant collection of the best looks of the late 50's and early 60's. His designs are rich and restrained and a feast for the eye. In her first scene,(at Lex Porter's party), Joanne Woodward wears a gorgeous knockout gown.  She is also unforgettable in fur at the end of the movie.

Awards:
Ina Balin- Golden Globe Nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - 1960

Ina Balin-Golden Globe Winner- New Star of the Year-1960

Quotes:
Sage Rimmington: Oh, I'm curious. What does success look like when you turn off the lights?

Mary St. John: Oh, you're so impossible, Sage! You know that?

Sage Rimmington: I say if work is a man's mistress, then there's only one answer for the wife - another man!

Goofs:
Continuity: The amount of milk in MacHardie's glass changes between shots when he's alone with Eaton.

Continuity: During the billiard game between Mr. MacHardie and Alfred, as MacHardie lines up for his shot, the red ball disappears
 
Review/Final Thought:
From the Terrace is one of Paul Newman's lesser-known films, but it's a worthy showcase for the actor's developing screen persona. He is especially good in the scenes with Myrna Loy and Leon Ames. Joanne Woodward shows a glamorous sexy side of her personality. Who knew ?  Her icy cool old money Mary is just the perfect fortress to entice Newman. She plays the part as if she were born to it and in the end she is left hard, jaded and desperate. Patrick O'Neal was perfectly cast as the smarmy Dr. Jim Roper, the illicit lover of Mary St. John.  Elizabeth Allen is also good as "the bedhopping" Sage Remington. The only problem that I had was that the costumes did not match the time period in the book. It should have been reflective of an earlier era. The turn of the 20th century would have been a better starting point.  In the end, this movie is trashy fun.

A Sneak Peak at 2010 posts

In January, I plan to start a three part seris on films that were based on John O'Hara novels.

John O'Hara (January 31,1905-April  11, 1970, born in Pottsville, PA, had a long and distinguished literary career, most notably as a novelist and as a writer of short stories. Many of his stories were set in the coal mining region of Pennsylvania.  He was unable to attend college due to the premature death of his father. A theme that would appear in this works. He worked as a reporter for various newspapers before moving to New York City, where he began to write short stories for magazines. In his early days he was also a film critic, a radio commentator, and a press agent; later, with his reputation established, he became a newspaper columnist.  In the three and a half decades following the publication of his first novel, Appointment in Samarra, O'Hara wrote twelve novels, five novellas, fifteen collections of short stories, nine published or produced plays, three credited screenplays (along with several unproduced screenplays and uncredited work on a half-dozen other films), and three collections of essays. A Rage to Live, Pal Joey, Butterfield 8, and From the Terrace were turned into movies. More than 400 of his stories were published in magazines, including some 300 in The New Yorker.