Novak convincingly portrays a semi-naive ingenue who cuts through Joey's cynicism and blather. Pal Joey isn't a classic film and doesn't offer much that can't be found in the plots of about a jillion other films. However, those films don't feature one Francis Albert Sinatra, and though I've never been a fan of the man, he portrays our rather sleazy lead character in a very charming and witty manner. Add in fine performances from the supporting cast and you have a surprisingly entertaining little flick. PJ seems inconsistent but generally strong.
Jagged edges pop up from time to time but seem minimal.
The print used appears pretty good for an old movie. I noted some general speckling at times and some rare scratches or marks. Grain is a bit of a problem, though, and appears more frequently than I'd like. Colors stand out on this DVD and are terrifically brilliant and bold. Black levels also look deep and rich, and shadow detail generally appears appropriately heavy without any overly opaque tones.