Guys and Dolls

3/28/2020

I've always been a bad guy, and a bad gambler. From now on, I would like to be a good guy, and a good gambler. I thank you. Guys and Dolls is directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and collectively adapted to screen from the play by Mankiewicz, Jo Swerling, Abe Burrows and Damon Runyon. It stars Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine, Robert Keith, Stubby Kaye, Sheldon Leonard, B.S. Pully and Johnny Silver. Music is by Frank Loesser and cinematography by Harry Stradling Sr. Gambler Nathan Detroit (Sinatra) has few options for the location of his big craps game. Needing $1,000 to pay a garage owner to host the game, Nathan bets Sky Masterson (Brando) that Sky cannot get virtuous Sarah Brown (Simmons) out on a date. Despite some resistance, Sky negotiates a date with he

2/8/2021

I think I used to like musicals more than I do now, or else I am more particular about them. I wasn’t over impressed with this classic. The acting was credible and the plot jumped along nicely. It oh, the music. When they jump into song, you are not supposed to wish they were still speaking, are you? And it wasn’t even the quality of the singing; I don’t have all that a discerning ear for music. The songs just didn’t appeal to me, andnthatbisnthe point with a musical, right? Perhaps it is just me. Maybe I have listened to the pulse station on Sirius satellite too long and I require a hook to pull me in.

11/14/2022

Despite the reported controversy over who played whom in this enjoyable adaption of Damon Runyon's short stories, I reckon they got the choice right. Frank Sinatra is "Nathan Detroit" host of a legendary weekly crap game in New York. Only this week, with some big out-of-town hitters including legend "Sky Masterson" (Marlon Brando) in town - he can't find a venue, unless he can find $1,000. Catch 22? Brando, meantime is bet that he cannot get hoity-toity local Christian mission Sergeant "Sarah Brown" (Jean Simmons) to go to Havana with him. There is a bet riding on just about everything here.... What sets this apart for me, is that it is dominated by the male characters; there are few of the traditionally heavily choreographed dance routines; the characterisations have more punch - especial