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America's pastime gets a Faustian twist in this 1958 studio musical, which recounts the ballpark bargain struck by an aging Washington Senators fan obsessed with helping his team trump the Yanks. With echoes of the real-life 1919 Shoeless Joe Jackson scandal, and tart observations on the tradeoffs between youth and experience, Damn Yankees fuses a classic dramatic dilemma with musical comedy to often charming effect.

In transferring George Abbott's Broadway hit to the screen, codirectors Abbott and Stanley Donen are smart enough to retain Richard Adler and Jerry Ross's clever songs, Bob Fosse's sizzling choreography (with Fosse himself on camera for the sultry mambo number), and stars Ray Walston and Gwen Verdon, reprising their devilish turns as the Horned One himself, Mr. Applegate, and his temptress, Lola. Where the team strikes out, unfortunately, is in their concession to marquee politics, handing the pivotal role of Joe Hardy to handsome, vapid, celluloid heartthrob Tab Hunter, whose thin voice and unsteady screen presence argue that he should have stayed in the dugout.

Walston is reliably spry and acerbic as the canny archangel, and Verdon, in one of her rare starring screen turns, confirms the comedic timing and sexy, muscular grace that made her a deserved draw in subsequent stage hits including another Fosse triumph, Sweet Charity. With her combination of feline grace and alternately steely, flirtatious femininity, Verdon makes you believe her when she sings, "Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets." --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Whatever Lola wants she gets!
The film version of Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse's first success together. With Ray Walston as the devil and Verdon as his muse, Lola, this film can not fail to please. An excellent example of Fosse's early choreography. Unfortunately, its producers thought that they could cut "The Game", a wonderful song sung by the Senators. A must for any musical video collection

Hollywood's Hall of Famer: a Grand Slam!
Forget about carping reviews. If you like: musical comedies; baseball;Gwen Verdon; selling your soul to the Devil; great dancing; happy endings; ironic gambits reaffirming olde time(pre-PM) morality, DAMN YANKEES is grand slam hit.This film adaptation of Broadway's World championship rendering of "The Year The Yankees Lost the Pennant" is classic Americana(It's more like"The Devil & Daniel Webster" than Goethe's Enlightenment epic,"Faust"). Tab Hunter does a fine job as guileless, baseball-loving, middle-aged dreamer who sells his soul to Mr.Applegate (My Favorite Devil/Martian; "Paint Your Wagon" schemer,Ray Walston).

Star of the show is Gwen Verdon. She's the devil's 007-ette,LOLA with"license to get-down".Down and sassy-classy she bedazzlingly is,as she funks; punks;Bob Fosse's-n-weaves/"sleezes" her way on Applegate's satanic service to seduce Superstar Joe Hardy into "eternal contract".WHATEVER LOLA WANTS (ultimately)she doesn't get. Because...like the show's theme banners...YOU GOTTA HAVE HEART! In The Ninth,Verdon's not-so-wicked witch of the West(like this superbly entertaining; funny; full-of-good-will fun flick) has Valentine Heart to the max.If you're a Yankee fan (as lovers of baseball begrudingly become)catching a glance of baseball legend Mickey Mantle in the film is a nice touch recalling innocence in values that've been lost to the Real Applegate and cohorts.Being from Houston, I look forward to some Yankee greats pitching for us next year. Until then, DAMN ASTROS(er)YANKEES is a Hollywood Hall-of-Famer well worth checking-out and cheering on.

SONG LEFT OUT!!!
This movie has been one of my top 20 favorites for a long time. I first saw it on television in the mid sixties. The very first song that begins the movie during the opening credits is "Think About The Game". When the home video was released, this song, sung by the Senator's while Joe Hardy was busy with the Shifty McCoy trial, was, without explanation or reason, was stupidly left out of the video version. I feel cheated and wanted my money back. Can anyone tell me why?

Thank-you.

Good soul-searching musical.
This is another film which would probably be better rated if it wasn't so slavishly compared to its stage original. It does its job just fine, thank you, but you must remember that stage and film are two different media. In the conservative postwar 50's there was very little controversy shown (or allowed to be shown) in the film and TV media; a Faustian book made into a film musical probably scared the Hays moral office to death! That said, the Abbott-Donen collaboration does a more than competent job of telling the story, and scores an extra base hit retaining most of the Broadway cast of the show in the first place. I've read that the studio tried to lure Marilyn Monroe into playing the Lola role (and assuring box-office returns), but the producers were smart enough to know that the role needed a real dancer-actress combination. In short, it needed Gwen Verdon. It needed her special brand of eccentricity, sexiness, and heartbreak. And it got her. If you're still not convinced, take another look at the exquisite cafe' dance of "Two Lost Souls."

How Lola can he go?
Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo is the mysterious "Joe Hardy" who makes a pact with the Devil to be young again and the greatest baseball wonder the Washington Senators have ever seen. His agreement comes with an "out" clause but hired temptress, "Lola" uses all of her most beguiling tricks in order to put the vamp on innocent Joe and keep him from short-changing the Devil of another hard-earned soul.

Gorgeous boy Tab Hunter plays the part of quiet, innocent and unpretentious Joe, an easy soul target for the Devil and his indebted temptress, played by Gwen Verdon. Although the singing was slightly less than what it could have been, the dance parts were terrific.

Unfortunately, this famous Broadway show was placed before a movie camera and little was done to take it from the ranks of the contrived enthusiasm of a play to the artful poise of a feature film. The scripts made for stiff dialogue and the sets were composed as they would have been on a fixed stage. What could have made for a very entertaining musical became a stage play adapted by convenience with no consideration for creative filming. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Doris Day & John Raitt, Wonderful in "The Pajama Game"
Doris Day, without a doubt, was the greatest female musical/comedy star Hollywood ever produced. I know that Judy Garland fans will disagree, but, I like Doris better.

When "Pajama Game" was brought to the screen, Doris Day was given sole star billing, of course, with Raitt, Carol Haney and Eddie Foy, Jr. getting secondary rankings. Mr.Raitt had top billing on Broadway, but this was Hollywood.

Miss Day was fascinating as Babe Williams, head of the grievance committee at the Sleep Tite Pajama Factory. She falls in love with the new forman, played by Raitt. A 7 1/2 cent raise is at stake for the workers, with management playing dirty tricks.

The musical score is great. Doris Day was in wonderful voice which was clear and poinant as she reprised that marvelous standard, "Hey There". "I'm Not at All in Love" was very entertaining with Day really showing us how a musical number should be done.

With Raitt, she does the standout "There Once Was A Man", and they both perform to perfection. What a great number!

The songs that were omitted from the original Broadway cast, were not missed here. I would love for Doris to have had another ballad, perhaps they could have written something special for the film version.

Carol Haney was fun as Gladys and danced up a storm with Bob Fosey's signature choreography in two highlights of the film, "Once a Year Day" and "Steam Heat.

Eddie Foy, Jr., Barbara Nichols, Rita Shaw and Thelma Pelish, all holdovers from the stage version added much to the proceedings.

Stanley Donen's direction was deft. This is one of his best pictures, but he never mentions it in documentaries on him. I don't understand why he consentrates on "Funny Face". This is a much better film.

Rivals ¿Calamity Jane¿ as one of Doris¿s best musicals
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.

Doris Day in a pajama-factory musical.
Very seldom seen Doris Day film. This one is a musical in color. Unusual and perhaps unattractive to watch because it is set in a shirt & pajama-making factory. Doris Day plays Babe Williams. She is the tough-cookie that's part of the grievence committee and goes by the rule book. After having to get both sides of the story after two men had a fight, the workers tease her that she will fall in love with the man she dislikes. But if you know any Doris Day film, she will be in love soon.I liked the railroad lot set, though and nighttime rain through the window is a nice shot. Not one of my favorite Doris Day films. May I suggest Billy Rose's Jumbo?

perfect except for doris
This amazing dvd is wonderful, put the overly peppy and smiley Doris Day is atrocious! Why could they not have put Janis Paige-The original broadway Babe- in the picture!

I GOT STEAM HEAT
The pajama factory setting is a little awkward and it doesn't really jive with the spirited song and dance numbers, which are constatly splendid. When the whole factory goes on a company picnic, you know this Broadway musical longs to be as big as "Oklahoma!", but is constrained by the very little framework of a labor dispute in a clothing factory. Still, you may be surprised to find the host of wonderful recognizable songs that originated from this musical, the cast is exceptional, and if you like Doris Day, well, you may find yourself in 'que-sera-sera' heaven. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This 1957 version of the Tony-winning Pajama Game is one of the finest film adaptations of a hit Broadway musical. The story is simple enough: Babe Williams, the head of a pajama company's grievance committee, falls for an exec--the new superintendent--Sid Sorokin (John Raitt). Doris Day, as Babe, has never been so efficiently cute. Raitt starred in the Broadway version, as did much of the film's cast (Day replaced original stage star Janis Paige). The Pajama Game is filled with recognizable, classic songs, done so well and danced so athletically that this musical can engage an action-film fan. Bob Fosse's trademark choreography shines.

Check out two numbers danced by the late, underused, and underrated Carol Haney, who performs amazing feats for "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway." Both Day and Raitt deliver lovely renditions of "Hey There." They're also supported by a great cast that includes, in addition to Haney, a slyly coy Reta Shaw and a dynamic Eddie Foy Jr. --N.F. Mendoza ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Doris Day & John Raitt, Wonderful in "The Pajama Game"
Doris Day, without a doubt, was the greatest female musical/comedy star Hollywood ever produced. I know that Judy Garland fans will disagree, but, I like Doris better.

When "Pajama Game" was brought to the screen, Doris Day was given sole star billing, of course, with Raitt, Carol Haney and Eddie Foy, Jr. getting secondary rankings. Mr.Raitt had top billing on Broadway, but this was Hollywood.

Miss Day was fascinating as Babe Williams, head of the grievance committee at the Sleep Tite Pajama Factory. She falls in love with the new forman, played by Raitt. A 7 1/2 cent raise is at stake for the workers, with management playing dirty tricks.

The musical score is great. Doris Day was in wonderful voice which was clear and poinant as she reprised that marvelous standard, "Hey There". "I'm Not at All in Love" was very entertaining with Day really showing us how a musical number should be done.

With Raitt, she does the standout "There Once Was A Man", and they both perform to perfection. What a great number!

The songs that were omitted from the original Broadway cast, were not missed here. I would love for Doris to have had another ballad, perhaps they could have written something special for the film version.

Carol Haney was fun as Gladys and danced up a storm with Bob Fosey's signature choreography in two highlights of the film, "Once a Year Day" and "Steam Heat.

Eddie Foy, Jr., Barbara Nichols, Rita Shaw and Thelma Pelish, all holdovers from the stage version added much to the proceedings.

Stanley Donen's direction was deft. This is one of his best pictures, but he never mentions it in documentaries on him. I don't understand why he consentrates on "Funny Face". This is a much better film.

Rivals ¿Calamity Jane¿ as one of Doris¿s best musicals
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.

Doris Day in a pajama-factory musical.
Very seldom seen Doris Day film. This one is a musical in color. Unusual and perhaps unattractive to watch because it is set in a shirt & pajama-making factory. Doris Day plays Babe Williams. She is the tough-cookie that's part of the grievence committee and goes by the rule book. After having to get both sides of the story after two men had a fight, the workers tease her that she will fall in love with the man she dislikes. But if you know any Doris Day film, she will be in love soon.I liked the railroad lot set, though and nighttime rain through the window is a nice shot. Not one of my favorite Doris Day films. May I suggest Billy Rose's Jumbo?

perfect except for doris
This amazing dvd is wonderful, put the overly peppy and smiley Doris Day is atrocious! Why could they not have put Janis Paige-The original broadway Babe- in the picture!

I GOT STEAM HEAT
The pajama factory setting is a little awkward and it doesn't really jive with the spirited song and dance numbers, which are constatly splendid. When the whole factory goes on a company picnic, you know this Broadway musical longs to be as big as "Oklahoma!", but is constrained by the very little framework of a labor dispute in a clothing factory. Still, you may be surprised to find the host of wonderful recognizable songs that originated from this musical, the cast is exceptional, and if you like Doris Day, well, you may find yourself in 'que-sera-sera' heaven. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

interestingly bad
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz met on the set of this lowbudget 1940 musical. Ball plays Connie, a spoilt hardhearted woman, who has suddenly decided to eschew the Ivy League to attend her father's alma mater Pohatawny College in small-town Louisiana.

Unknown to Connie, her father has hired a quartet of bodyguards to transher to Pohatawny and keep an eye on her. She has more than an education on her mind -- there is a writer who lives nearby with whom she is having an affair. The guys meantime become football heros and enjoy their status of big men on campus at a school where women outnumber men 10 to 1.

The movie is full of annoying song-and-dance numbers (although Ball has a wonderful singing voice, unknown to fans of her hit show 'I Love Lucy', where she screeched like a crow as a running gag.) Inexplicably, a white actress with a black wig is supposed to be a Mexican student -- I did not get that until halfway through the film. Were there REALLY no available Mexican actresses in 1940? Hmmmm.

very fun
this film was very fun to watch as it was very upbeat and filled with music. it was especially interesting to watch knowing that the greatest romance of the century started as a result of the movie being made (of course i mean lucy and desi's). i would recommend that if your in the mood for a harmful upbeat comedy (and/or happen to love lucy and desi) you should rent this movie.

LUCY MEETS DESI
This pleasantly modest little film from 1940 is important as a footnote in the history of Hollywood: it was during its filming that rising 29 year-old movie comedy actress Lucille Ball met a 23 year-old Cuban Conga drummer named Desi Arnaz! It's a fast-paced musical comedy full of peppy performances and musical numbers. Lucy plays an heiress who takes a shot at campus life accompanied by a quartet of bodyguards, all of whom are topnotch football players...Ann Miller dances up a storm and Desi delivers a hot conga interpretation of SPIC AND SPANISH. Upon meeting Desi, Lucy once remarked "It was NOT love at first sight. It took 5 minutes!" Lucy and Desi married in Greenwich, Connecticut on November 30, 1940. Eleven years later, I LOVE LUCY would make Ball and Arnaz America's most beloved couple in the entertainment world. Van Johnson made his film debut in this musical frolic, the score of which includes the perennial Rodgers and Hart tune I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS.

Too Many Girls
This movie is a must see for Lucy and Desi fans as they met and fell in love while making it. Lots of fun music and dancing and you will also see a young Betty Grable too. ... Read more