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Pal Joey (1950 Studio Cast)

by: Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Vivienne Segal

Release Date May 13, 2003
Brooks Atkinson wrote of "Pal Joey," "Although it is expertly done, can you draw sweet water from a sour well?" He was referring to the anti-hero lead character. Unsympathetic lead characters make for limited positive response to musicals, as others have discovered as well. Witness, "What Makes Sammy Run?" "Do I Hear a Waltz?" and "Sweet Smell of Success."
"Psl Joey" cannot claim great reception for the original production, although revivals have fared better.
I do not find this to be one of Rodgers and Hart's better scores. There are only two stand-out songs, "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" and "I Could Write a Book." Three of the numbers were parts of a night club routine, and really add nothing to the plot. The rest ... Read More: