Guys and Dolls (1955/I)

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers:

Jo Swerling (book) and
Abe Burrows (book) ...

Release Date:

16 January 1956 (Brazil)

Genre:

Musical | Comedy | Romance | Crime

Plot:

In New York, a gambler is challenged to take a cold female missionary to Havana, but they fall for each other, and the bet has a hidden motive to finance a crap game.

Plot Keywords:

Craps | Gambler | Bet | Police | Song

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Marlon Brando	...	Sky Masterson
Jean Simmons	...	Sergeant Sarah Brown
Frank Sinatra	...	Nathan Detroit
Vivian Blaine	...	Miss Adelaide
Robert Keith	...	Lt. Brannigan
Stubby Kaye	...	Nicely-Nicely Johnson
B.S. Pully	...	Big Jule
Johnny Silver	...	Benny Southstreet
Sheldon Leonard	...	Harry the Horse
Danny Dayton	...	Rusty Charlie (as Dan Dayton)
George E. Stone	...	Society Max
Regis Toomey	...	Arvide Abernathy
Kathryn Givney	...	General Cartwright
Veda Ann Borg	...	Laverne
Mary Alan Hokanson	...	Agatha

Runtime:

150 min | 152 min (with overture and exit music)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Sound System) (magnetic prints) | Mono (optical prints)

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | West Germany:12 | Australia:G | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #17617) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Australia:PG (cable rating)

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn/Warner Hollywood Studios - 1041 N. Formosa Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Trivia:

One of the songs not featured in the movie is Adelaide's and Sarah's duet "Marry the Man Today," which may have been considered to be too derogatory.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Adelaide is singing "Adelaide's Lament", she goes to the medicine cabinet and opens the doors. To her left is a gray dress hanging on a hanger. The camera view then shifts to her face as seen through the medicine cabinet, while she sings, and the gray dress is visible behind her. From that perspective, the gray dress should be to her left (camera right), and NOT visible when looking into the room through the back of the medicine cabinet.

Quotes:

Lieutenant Brannigan: [to Big Jule at Mindy's] Where are you from, sir?
Big Jule: East Cicero, Illinois!
Lieutenant Brannigan: And what is your occupation?
Big Jule: I'm a scoutmaster!
Lieutenant Brannigan: Don't ever help my mother across the street!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Just Shoot Me!: Lies & Dolls (#3.13)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Follow the Fold

Simply a great screen adaptation of a stage classic!

In 1954 Marlon Brando was THE hot actor after his performances in Streetcar Named Desire and On The Waterfront. Frank Sinatra had yet to re-invent himself on the silver screen. But Sinatra's portrayal as the erstwhile Nathan Detroit, helped re-establish Sinatra with his fans.

It is a great screen version of a great play and the choices of leads and support players are terrific. Imagine a movie where Brando sings? This was his one and only singing role as he portrayed Sky Masterson. In addition the female leads, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine(replaying her stage role as Nathan's long suffering girlfriend Adelade), put in superlative efforts. Special mention goes to the great Stubby Kaye(as Nicely Nicely), and with all due respect to Eric Clapton, no one's version of Rockin' The Boat even comes close to Stubby's. Sheldon Leonard, who would go on to fame as TV producer of such shows as The Danny Thomas Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show does "Harry The Horse" wonders, B.S.Pulley is excellent as the harsh mannered and rough talking "Big Julie", and even Regis Toomey offers his excellence as "Brother Arvide".

It is one of the fun musicals to see, good comedy, and you get Sinatra and Brando. Soooooo "Luck Be A Lady Tonight" and brother..."it's your dice"