Pal Joey (1957) "Bewitches You!"

Pal Joey (1957) / Columbia Pics
Directed By: George Sidney
Starring: Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra & Kim Novak

Costume Design: Jean Louis (gowns) 

~ Nominated for 4 Academy Awards in 1958 including: Best Costume Design, Best Art Decoration-Set Decoration, Best Film Editing & Best Sound, Recording. Along with winning a Golden Globe in 1958 for Best Motion Picture Actor (Musical/Comedy) for Frank Sinatra.

Tagline: "From Your Pal, Columbia!"

Beautiful Rogers & Hart standards are set with this great musical comedy with famous Nelson Riddle at the helm orchestrating the songs such as: "The Lady Is A Tramp" "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," "I Could Write a Book" and "There's A Small Hotel."  Rita Hayworth performs a very eye catching number: "Zip."

Plot:

It is the swinging 1950's with the hippest San Francisco singer Joey Evans (Sinatra). Joey is the definition of a bachelor with loving the ladies and the nightlife. The one thing though Joey did not plan for while doing his routine is meeting the blonde beauty chorus girl Linda English (Novak). Linda is a sweet woman that makes Joey think about love and committment though it does not stop him completely in his tracks. Joey also has his eyes set on a wealthy widow Vera Simpson (Hayworth).

Joey's idea is to romance the lovey Vera while being with Linda. Vera could finance Joey's dream project which is "Chez Joey" a night club all of his own. There is of course a hidden agenda that he is romancing from Vera while having the true romance with Linda the up-coming star. Joey would love to have his own club where he could do his own jazz sets for the rest of his career with a set of lovely ladies around him. What more could a man want?

The club is then purchased to Joey's sheer delight. There becomes an issues though that Vera is very aware of Linda and how Joey hired her as an employee at the club. Vera demands that Joey ends his relationship with Linda and to fire her as well and since the money is coming from her there is not a lot of options but there is true love between the couple so he refuses. Vera needless to say is angry with the refusal to fire and end it with Linda so she closes the club down. Linda finds out what has occurred then meets with Vera and mentions she would quit in order to save the club. Vera is thrilled and offers her hand in marraige to solidify everything but is rejected by Joey.  The big question is will Joey give-up on his lifelong dream for the club or will he go with what is normally against his grain and be with Linda? This film is a gem that you will have to see to find out!

Gilda (1946) "Put The Blame on Mame!"

Gilda (1946) / Columbia Pics
Directed By: Charles Vidor
Starring: Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford & George Macready

Gowns By: Jean Louis


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Taglines:

Gilda gambles as recklessly as she lives!

"I was true to one man once... and look what happened..."

RITA HAYWORTH...dynamic as never before...scaling new dramatic heights in her most exciting role!
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Review by Variety Magazine:

 "Hayworth is photographed most beguilingly. The producers have created nothing subtle in the projection of her s.a., and that's probably been wise. Glenn Ford is the vis-a-vis, in his first picture part in several years...Gilda is obviously an expensive production — and shows it. The direction is static, but that's more the fault of the writers."

Plot:

An American gambler Johnny Farrell (Ford) just arrives in Buenos Aires. Johnny cheats while there at the game of craps and is rescued from Ballin Mundson (Macready) during a robbery. Ballin mentions to Johnny a GREAT place to really make money is an illegal casino nearby but to get his skills up to snuff. Of course hearing about the instant money Johnny ignores the message of practicing his hand at gambling and goes right to the casino where he is caught cheating and is brought to the owner who is none other than Ballin. Johnny is hired by the casino as an employee.

Enters, Gilda (Hayworth) the new and most dazzling wife to the huge boss Ballin. Ballin met the seductive Gilda while on vacation and had a whirlwind romance and wed during that time, that is just how much magic this Gilda has over men! It is very clear when seeing the relationship between Gilda and Johnny that they had known each other in the past and have history. This become very clear to the new husband, Ballin who then questions them and of course both deny it.

Gilda and Johnny get into a very heated confrontation in her bedroom which ignites the passion and romance they hold for one another. The relationship that Gilda and Johnny have is very heated and dynamic since they ignite the deepest emotions from one another. Gilda behind her husband's back see's other men which she knows will drive Johnnny mad since she is blatantly odvious in front of him.

Ballin later is doing things that are questionable and fakes his own death which leaves Gilda a widow along with the estate. Gilda and Johnny then wed and are very happy in their new life. Johnny actually weds Gilda to punish her and has her held hostage in her own home and leaves her home with guards so no guests and no fun can occur. Gilda tries to tempt his anger to set her free of this horrible marriage by doing several actions such as the very memorable striptease along with singing "Put The Blame on Mame." in front of other men. Then more stunning and shocking surprises happen that test this couple that are soo passionate with hatred at this time, but do they deeply still love on another? This classic film noir will keep you guessing and hooked, one of Rita Hayworth's best!!!

In Pictures: Rita Hayworth

In Pictures: Rita Hayworth
Here is our 21st installment of this very successful feature to "Love Those Classic Movies!!!" This article is simply an enjoyment via beautiful pictures of our favorite golden age classic stars. Not a lot of writing at all or tid bits or extras just simply as it is stated, "in pictures!" Hope you all enjoy one of the original great actress's of the silver screen Rita Hayworth and her brilliance in pictures, cheers!!!!