“Who else but Rita should get top billing? After all, in my mind, she always was and always will be Columbia Pictures! The studio may have built her into a star but just remember it was Rita Hayworth who gave Columbia status.”Vgl. lorenzhart.org
nytimes.com
“There is no doubt that this is largely Mr. Sinatra’s show. As the amiable grifter with an iron ego, he projects a distinctly bouncy likable personality into an unusual role. […] He gets a professional assist from Miss Hayworth, who undoubtedly will be the envy of all women. As the red-haired charmer whom he finally rejects, she wears a succession of negligees and gowns that would make any couturier drool.”A. H. Weiler: Screen: ‘Pal Joey’ Back on Broadway; Sinatra Is Starred in Film of Hit Show. In: The New York Times, 28. Oktober 1957.
“Pal Joey is a strong, funny entertainment. […] Frank Sinatra is potent. He’s almost ideal as the irreverent, free-wheeling, glib Joey. […] Hayworth, no longer the ingenue, moves with authority as Joey’s sponsor and does the ‘Zip’ song visuals in such fiery, amusing style as to rate an encore. Standout of the score is Lady Is a Tramp.” Vgl. Pal Joey. In: Variety, 1957.
web.archive.org
“George Sidney directs in sleek style that perfectly complements the movie’s star, Frank Sinatra. It’s a classic Sinatra performance, detached and casual […]. He’s matched by gorgeous Rita Hayworth alternating between fire and ice, and, even though dubbed, making Zip a riot and Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered steam up the screen. Kim Novak is game, but she doesn’t stand much of a chance up against these two. The songs, by Rodgers & Hart, are absolutely first-rate, and they’re presented here to their best advantage. Overall, Pal Joey is a stylish and winning musical presented with a great deal of panache.” Craig Butler: Pal Joey (1957) (Memento vom 30. März 2017 im Internet Archive) bei AllMovie (englisch)
