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The Pajama Game

The Pajama Game

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $15.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Once-A-Year Chance of a Lifetime!
Review: If you have never seen a Doris Day film before, let this one be your introduction to one of the finest entertainers of all time. It's the bouncy, musical story of a pajama factory caught up in a labor/management problem.....but that just serves to provide a foundation for a sparkling, lively show with memorable songs ("Hey, There". "There Once Was A Man", "Hernando's Hideaway", etc.), great Bob Fosse-choreographed dances, and outstanding performances from all involved. And Doris....well, let's just say that she and John Raitt are movie magic together.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rivals ¿Calamity Jane¿ as one of Doris¿s best musicals
Review: In The Pajama Game, based on the Broadway musical written by George Abbot and Richard Bissell, Doris Day plays Babe Williams, the head of the union grievance committee who fancies sexy out-to-prove-himself John Raitt, playing Sid Sorokin, the new superintendent of the "Sleep-Tite Pajama Company. Despite their differences, they fall in love and the eternal battle between man and woman ensues in this delightful musical comedy, with added intrigue between Hines, (Eddie Foy, Jr) the over-jealous efficiency expert, and girlfriend Gladys, (Carol Haney) the boss's private secretary. Set against the backdrop of a long-standing union/management dispute, the company is soon boiling over with all sorts of passions. An unlikely scenario that is never-the-less great fun with plenty of hit songs and dance numbers that carry you along with its energy. Choreographed by Bob Fosse, the film features such musical numbers as "Hey There, You With the Stars in Your Eyes," "Once a Year Day", "Small Talk", "Steam Heat," and "I'm Not at All in Love." Verdict: The Pajama Game rivals "Calamity Jane" and "Love Me or Leave Me" as one of Doris's best musicals.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: It's a really bad plot, but good songs
Review: It's a really bad plot, really thin characters, and mostly (except for the Fosse numbers), unimaginative choreography. But it's got great music and some personable stars.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: PAJAMA WARNING
Review: JUST PURCHASED THAT LOVELY LIVLY MUSICAL THE PAJAMA GAME, BUT WHAT A TERRIBLE TRANSFER TO DVD, SO FARR IT IS THE WORST DVD I HAVE GOT IN MY COLLECTION. THE COLOURS AND THE VISION REGARDS FOCUS ARE FIRST CLASS HORRIBLE.I SHOULD HAVE PAYED MOORE ATTENTION TO OTHER REVIEWS, WARNER BROTHERS SHOULD IM SURE HAVE LEFT IT ON VHS. W/BROTHERS I FEEL SHOULD REFUND ME AND ANY ONE ELSE WHO THINKS THE SAME AS I DO.ANY WAY I AM LANDED WITH IT BUT CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHOW IT OFF.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Local 343 Amalgamated Shirt & Pajama
Review: Labor relations in a pajama factory. This is the world into which songwriters Adler and Ross managed to weave a string of Broadway standards ("Hey There", "Hernando's Hideaway") in the musical "The Pajama Game".

In 1955 it opened on Broadway with legendary director George Abbot at the helm and newcomer Bob Fosse making his debut as choreographer. John Raitt (the original Billy Bigalow in "Carousel"), Eddie Foy Jr., and Retta Shaw all earned praise for their work and Carol Haney delivered a career-making performance in a supporting role. (A week after the show opened, Carol Haney was ill so her understudy, chorus girl Shirley McLaine, went on in the part with no rehearsal. She was a great success, especially to film producer Hal Ashby who was in the audience to see Haney. He brought McLaine to Hollywood to star in his upcoming Hitchcock film, which started Shirley's career.)

In 1957 Warner Brothers brought the entire cast and production team from New York to do the film version. All, that is, but one. Janice Paige was replaced by Doris Day as Babe Williams, the feisty union garment worker opposite John Raitt's suave role as Pajama Factory manager, Sid Sorokin.

Doris Day comes across with a bit more grit in both her acting and her voice than many may be expecting. But she makes a great Babe - whether belting "I'm Not At All in Love" or cooing the romantic ballad "Hey There". John Raitt is equally adept as Sid and does so well with his tough guy good looks, that you wonder why Hollywood failed to cast him in any of his previous stage hits. But it's that full baritone voice that knocks you over. A voice of such lush timbre that contemporaries like Frank Sinatra and Gordon McRae pale in comparison.

Carol Haney is a hoot as the zany (and at one point hilariously drunk) bookkeeper, Gladys. And Eddy Foy Jr, a veteran vaudeville clown shows off as her insanely jealous boyfriend. (Ever hear of Eddie Foy and the Seven Little Foy's? That's where Eddie Jr. got his start with his father and siblings.) The script also allows small chorus parts like Barbara Nichols as the dopey blond Poopsie, Thelma Pelish as the zaftig Mae, and Jack Straw as the nebbish Prez to shine in their roles and even gives them some of the best lines. (Mae: I like a man with spunk. Poopsie: You like a man, period!)

Broadway's George Abbot teamed with Stanley Donen ("Singing in the Rain") as director. But the other breakout talent here was Bob Fosse ("Cabaret" and "All That Jazz"), doing his first (credited) choreography for film. He stages the star turns (Day's "Not at All in Love" and Raitt's "Small Talk", for example) like a pro. But he shines in the chorus numbers. Once a Year Day" explodes in athletic dances reminiscent of Michael Kidd ("Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and "Hello Dolly"). And the mysterious "Hernando's Hideaway" is done in total darkness with the singers lit only when they strike a match.

But the number that shows us what Fosse would become is undeniably "Steam Heat". What would normally have been a throw-away number (a little amateur entertainment for a union rally) is infused with the slinky, inverted style that would become his trademark. No one had ever seen anything like it in 1957, and it "stops the show", so to speak, were that possible in film.

For all the music and comic shenanigans, the film never looses the flavor of working class people in a small factory town. "Pajama Game" may not top its contemporaries like "Gigi" and "Singing in the Rain" - but it's not trying to. It's just a slice of middle America filled with some fine song and dance numbers and some of the top Broadway stars of the day.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Local 343 Amalgamated Shirt & Pajama
Review: Labor relations in a pajama factory. This is the world into which songwriters Adler and Ross managed to weave a string of Broadway standards ("Hey There", "Hernando's Hideaway") in the musical "The Pajama Game".

In 1955 it opened on Broadway with legendary director George Abbot at the helm and newcomer Bob Fosse making his debut as choreographer. John Raitt (the original Billy Bigalow in "Carousel"), Eddie Foy Jr., and Retta Shaw all earned praise for their work and Carol Haney delivered a career-making performance in a supporting role. (A week after the show opened, Carol Haney was ill so her understudy, chorus girl Shirley McLaine, went on in the part with no rehearsal. She was a great success, especially to film producer Hal Ashby who was in the audience to see Haney. He brought McLaine to Hollywood to star in his upcoming Hitchcock film, which started Shirley's career.)

In 1957 Warner Brothers brought the entire cast and production team from New York to do the film version. All, that is, but one. Janice Paige was replaced by Doris Day as Babe Williams, the feisty union garment worker opposite John Raitt's suave role as Pajama Factory manager, Sid Sorokin.

Doris Day comes across with a bit more grit in both her acting and her voice than many may be expecting. But she makes a great Babe - whether belting "I'm Not At All in Love" or cooing the romantic ballad "Hey There". John Raitt is equally adept as Sid and does so well with his tough guy good looks, that you wonder why Hollywood failed to cast him in any of his previous stage hits. But it's that full baritone voice that knocks you over. A voice of such lush timbre that contemporaries like Frank Sinatra and Gordon McRae pale in comparison.

Carol Haney is a hoot as the zany (and at one point hilariously drunk) bookkeeper, Gladys. And Eddy Foy Jr, a veteran vaudeville clown shows off as her insanely jealous boyfriend. (Ever hear of Eddie Foy and the Seven Little Foy's? That's where Eddie Jr. got his start with his father and siblings.) The script also allows small chorus parts like Barbara Nichols as the dopey blond Poopsie, Thelma Pelish as the zaftig Mae, and Jack Straw as the nebbish Prez to shine in their roles and even gives them some of the best lines. (Mae: I like a man with spunk. Poopsie: You like a man, period!)

Broadway's George Abbot teamed with Stanley Donen ("Singing in the Rain") as director. But the other breakout talent here was Bob Fosse ("Cabaret" and "All That Jazz"), doing his first (credited) choreography for film. He stages the star turns (Day's "Not at All in Love" and Raitt's "Small Talk", for example) like a pro. But he shines in the chorus numbers. Once a Year Day" explodes in athletic dances reminiscent of Michael Kidd ("Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and "Hello Dolly"). And the mysterious "Hernando's Hideaway" is done in total darkness with the singers lit only when they strike a match.

But the number that shows us what Fosse would become is undeniably "Steam Heat". What would normally have been a throw-away number (a little amateur entertainment for a union rally) is infused with the slinky, inverted style that would become his trademark. No one had ever seen anything like it in 1957, and it "stops the show", so to speak, were that possible in film.

For all the music and comic shenanigans, the film never looses the flavor of working class people in a small factory town. "Pajama Game" may not top its contemporaries like "Gigi" and "Singing in the Rain" - but it's not trying to. It's just a slice of middle America filled with some fine song and dance numbers and some of the top Broadway stars of the day.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very entertaining
Review: Oldie but goodie - watch this and you'll know where Bonnie Raitt got her talent - from her super dad who sings and belts it out romantically in this funny musical. Very entertaining - even years later.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Classic Doris Day fun!
Review: One never knew that watching the lives of workers from a pajama factory could be so much fun. Workers become agitated over wanted raise, and "Babe" Williams (Doris Day) must chose between her man (John Raitt) and her cause. Wonderful songs like "There Once Was a Man" and "Small Talk". You won't regret watching this movie; highly recommended!!!!! Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Taboo....is acceptable
Review: Only Doris Day could make this "bedroomsie" type movie G rated. A delightful, carefree style of life is portrayed in this "Doris-classic" movie. Anyone who loves her voice or beauty will enjoy this movie. Hollywood should return to making more movies like this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WAS A CLASSIC, IT STILL IS, AND WILL ALWAYS BE
Review: sheer energy, robust song and dance, dazzling cast, superb choreography, terrific plot, highly romantic, solid plot, loveably funny, stylized lyrics, superbly photographed...think I need to say more?


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