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• Guys And Dolls - Runyon With Music

  • Bruce Reber
  • 6/22/11

  "Guys and Dolls" (1955) is an entertaining musical comedy based on a Damon Runyon story, featuring colorful New York characters and a great Frank Loesser music score. The photography, sets and costumes also add to the overall atmosphere of this classic musical. It would have liked to see "Guys and Dolls" with the two male leading roles reversed, i.e. Marlon Brando as Nathan Detroit and Frank Sinatra as Sky Masterson. I hear that Sinatra really wanted the role of Sky, and he was quite disappointed when it went to Brando. I think that Sinatra was way more suited for the role, especially the "Luck Be A Lady" number, which Brando sings (he was certainly one of the greatest actors ever, but he left much to be desired as a singer). Sinatra got some payback later on when he scored a huge hit with "Luck Be A Lady", which went on to become one of his all-time standards. Jean Simmons, Vivian Blaine, Stubby Kaye and the rest of the cast all give good performances in their roles, but the casting of Brando seems to be the one gaffe in an otherwise excellent film. One of the popular male vocalists of the day should have been cast as Sky, but I don't know who it could have been.

• Sinatra vs. Brando

  • Annie
  • 5/22/11

  I've seen this movie countless times since I was a kid. I've always loved it; love the sets, colors, songs and acting...wellll, except for Brando. I've never liked Brando even when I was a kid. It was interesting (and not surprising) reading Rob Nixon's "behind the camera" scuttlebutt on the rivalry between Sinatra and Brando. It's unfortunate, though, that Mankiewicz seemingly sided with Brando--I thought him a better judge of character--he's certainly a brilliant director. I agree with Sinatra (if he really said it) that Brando is one of the most over-rated actors ever. He [Brando] has never brought me to tears, say the way Sinatra did in Von Ryan's Express, Some Came Running, and From Here to Eternity (where, incidentally, he played a supporting role and stole the screen!). If Brando was over-rated as a musical thespian--which I think he was, Sinatra was most certainly under-rated as an actor. Whenever I think of this film, I think of Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine, and Stubby Kaye...I always forget that Brando and Simmons were also in this film. I'll bet I'm not the only one.

• Classic Musical

  • GenevieveRose
  • 2/10/10

  Guys and Dolls is yet another over-achieving musical from the days of true show business. Well cast, and even a believable story, nearly every song is hit-worthy and just begging to be sung along to. Frank Sinatra is marvelous as Nathan Detroit, playing his part with melancholic passion fitting to his character, and who needs to ask whether The Voice had great songs or not? Marlon Brando does, however, very nearly steal the show as Sky Masterson. Perhaps Marlon could never have been a singer, but only one song, 'Luck Be a Lady' reveals his if-y voice. However, it is sung with such passion and meaning that it hardly matters that he was no crooner. Jean Simmons is delightful, as are the other characters. This film will make you laugh and sigh. It is one of those which can be watched over and over, and then over again.

• A Little Bit of Everything

  • Vicki
  • 4/14/08

  This is one of my favorite musicals. Everyone in the movie plays a great part, and it has something for everyone! Who knew Brando could be in a musical? This is a MUST SEE for anyone that appreciates a good love story, a good comedy and/or a good musical.

• great

  • megan
  • 11/30/06

  This is a good movie with good acting. I was hooked to watching it right away. Nice romance story. The begining of the typical guy dates girl because of bet. guy falls in love with girl until she is told about bet.

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