Pal Joey
Pal Joey
Arranged And Conducted By Lew Raymond
Cover Model: Kim Novak (Columbia Picture Star)
Tops L-1607
From the back cover: Pal Joey is a colossal heel – indubitably. In the musical theatre, however, it is sometimes meant to make a hero of a heel – a sort of Blight in Shining Armor. Just how does one accomplish this bit of wizardry?
The stunt is no snap. After all, it takes consummate skill to make a congenital louse likable. But on the inspired typewriter of John O'Hara the abracadabra was at least halfway complete when he finished the book for the Broadway show nearly 17 years ago.
Yea, only half complete – because a story line is a story line, and when a writer calls a spade a spade or a rake a spade, he's stuck with it-unless the magic of music is working for him full force. An audience can be expected to beg for a surfeit of hocus-pocus only if you spellbind them with the rare potion of melodies and lyrics beautiful, brilliant, beguiling.
When the songs in Pal Joey emanate from such senior sorcerers of musical comedy as Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart . . . with the baton their wand, lo, the heel is transformed into an ingratiating, charming scamp, more a roue than a rat-at any rate, a tolerably tainted saint.
Very briefly, this is the substance of Pal Joey, long-run Broadway hit musical comedy now transposed into a highly successful Columbia motion picture starring Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak.
Careful handling of the musical stardust is, of course, essential. To this end TOPS artists and repertoire executives came up with a gloriously extravagant combination: orchestra under the direction of gifted conductor-arranger Lew Raymond and a glittering cast of singers established in their profession and prime favorites of audiences the world over.
THE LADY IS A TRAMP is traditionally a breezy, no-illusions type number, manifestly created expressly for Martha Tilton's liltin' style. The famed ex-Benny Goodman vocalist is in her element.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS proves ideal material for tenor Clark Dennis, longtime radio and television favorite with lovers of fine singing.
WHAT IS A MAN finds June Hutton pondering this timeless enigma. From the surefire quality of her rendition, however, one cannot but feel that this lass really knows the answer.
YOU MUSTN'T KICK IT AROUND is an admonition young newcomer Bob McKendrick heeds well. This vocalist is really climbing steadily up the ladder..
I COULD WRITE A BOOK is tenderly conveyed by the romantic singing team of Martha Tilton and Curt Massey, veteran star songsters of their own NBC T.V. show. THAT TERRIFIC RAINBOW is winsomely handled by Betty Baker, the better half of Disneyland Musical Conductor, Buddy Baker.
BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEWILDERED, wistful reflection on the bitter- sweet mysteries of love, is done sweet justice by motion picture, radio and television star Marilyn Maxwell.
THERE'S A SMALL HOTEL conjures an intimate sentimental nostalgia as Curt Massey gives it a thorough going over with baritone masculinity.
ZIP is the kind of novelty number zippy Marilyn Maxwell performs with the conviction of a topflight trouper.
PLANT YOU NOW, DIG YOU LATER is Clark Dennis' way of saying, "If it's a good song, then let me at it." His experience and versatility are powerfully showcased here.
MY FUNNY VALENTINE is surely one of the best known standards of Rodgers and Hart. Here it is in caressing rendition by June Hutton, glamorous cornerstone for many years of the famous Modernaires vocal group with Glenn Miller's orchestra.
Overture
The Lady Is A Tramp - Martha Tilton
I Didn't Know What Time It Is - Clark Dennis
What Is A Man - June Hutton
You Mustn't Kick - Bob McKendrick
I Could Write A Book - Curt Massey / Martha Tilton
The Terrific Rainbow - Betty Baker
Bewitched - Marilyn Maxwell
There's A Small Hotel - Curt Massey
Zip - Marilyn Maxwell
Plant You Now, Dig You Later - Clark Dennis
Funny Valentine - June Hutton
