Pal Joey

Pal Joey

'Kim Novak''s singing voice was dubbed by Trudy Stevens (nee Gertrude Ewan).

Billy Wilder was the original choice to direct. He discussed it with Columbia studio head Harry Cohn over lunch one day. Not only did Cohn turn down him as director, but he later sent Wilder a bill for their lunch.

Rita Hayworth plays the rich older woman keeping Frank Sinatra as her boy toy. In real life, Hayworth was only in her late thirties when she made this film and was three years younger than Sinatra.

Rita Hayworth's own singing voice is heard in the introductions to her songs otherwise dubbed by Jo Ann Greer.

After Columbia producer Harry Cohn saw the success of Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth in Cover Girl, he promised this film to them. (Kelly had his big break by creating the role of Joey Evans on Broadway.) Sadly, the story took another 15 years to reach the screen and by that time, Kelly was under contract to MGM. Hayworth was cast as the older woman, with Kim Novak now playing the younger woman.



Columbia Studios head Harry Cohn suggested Marlene Dietrich for the role of Vera Simpson. Dietrich turned down the part but suggested her friend Frank Sinatra for the role of Joey after Gene Kelly was denied the part. Cohn suggested Jack Lemmon before Sinatra was eventually cast.

The original Broadway stage production of "Pal Joey" opened at Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York City on December 25, 1940 and ran for 374 performances.


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