Guys and Dolls (1955)
Guys and Dolls (1955)
Though I wouldn’t rate it as one of my favorite musicals I think the first scene with Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons in the mission where they make “the deal” is worth the price of admission. What great dialogue! Any doubts I had about Brando in the role were erased after watching it even though his singing was pretty hard to bear. Frank Sinatra & Vivian Blaine also star in this Joseph L. Mankiewicz (All About Eve (1950)) directed & written Samuel Goldwyn (The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)) produced film. In this Damon Runyon story Brando plays Sky Masterson a gambler who agrees to assist Nathan Detroit (Sinatra) so that they can have their “craps” game by putting one over on Sarah Brown (Simmons) who runs a mission in need of “buns on seats” (sinners to convert). Stubby Kaye and Sheldon Leonard also play memorable roles. Four minor Academy Award nominations: Color Art Direction-Set Decoration Cinematography & Costume Design as well as Score. “Luck Be A Lady” is #42 on AFI’s 100 Top Movie Songs of All Time. #23 on AFI’s 25 Greatest Movie Musicals list.
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