Today’s quick review: The Pajama Game. Sid Sorokin (John Raitt) is the new superintendent of the Sleeptite Pajama Factory. His appointment comes at a tense time in the company’s history, months into negotiations over a seven-and-a-half-cent raise for the workers. But when Babe Williams (Doris Day), the hard-nosed head of the Grievance Committee, catches his eye, it begins a courtship that spans the management-labor divide. As the negotiations heat up, Sid’s and Babe’s burgeoning relationship put to the test as the duties of employment clash with the duties of the heart.
The Pajama Game is an upbeat romantic musical set against the backdrop of a labor dispute in a pajama factory. John Raitt and Doris Day have an adversarial chemistry that’s brought out by their headstrong characters. Sid pushes for a date, only to be met with Babe’s skepticism that a relationship between them could work out. Sid persists and is eventually successful, but every step of the way is a playful fight that gives the movie’s romance a feisty character. The plot is typical for a musical, just a simple story padded out to movie length by its songs.
The soundtrack of The Pajama Game is well-written and full of life, ranging from defiant proclamations of love to labor anthems extolling the virtues of seven-and-a-half cents. Every number has charm and cheer, and many are accompanied by raucous dancing. Musical fans should give The Pajama Game a watch for its light, romantic plot and its great soundtrack. While the movie won’t sway any musical haters, it’s a delightful, straightforward entry in the genre.
6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a catchy soundtrack and sentimental value.