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Amazon.co.uk Review
This CinemaScope treatment of Frank Loesser's hit Broadway musical Guys and Dolls is a deeply rewarding visual and musical experience. Frank Sinatra turns in one of his best screen performances running a close second to Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons, looking adorable and singing sweetly. In essence this is a piece of photographed theatre mounted on a handsome scale. The striking set designs and a brilliantly executed soundtrack are courtesy of two Broadway craftsmen Oliver Smith and conductor Jay Blackton. Photographer Harry Stradling brings a meticulous eye for detail when his camera stationed on the auditorium side of the frame, peers into Miss Adelaide's bathroom cupboard as she views the lines of medicine bottles in her celebrated "lament". Sinatra, in his vocal prime, sings a new number to Adelaide (Vivian Blaine)--arranged by Nelson Riddle--and Brando and Simmons strike chords in all their scenes from their opening duet "I'll Know" through to their evening out at a Havana bistro where she gets pie-eyed on a Bacardi milk-shake, tipsily wondering "If I were a Bell". Stubby Kaye also from the Broadway cast recreates the show-stopping "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat". Michael Kidd's choreography for "Luck Be a Lady" is razor-sharp and superbly captured in the CinemaScope format, though the formalised staging of the opening ought to have been rethought for this medium. The biggest pity is that Loesser amended some of his lyrics and replaced several tunes from his original score with inferior material.
On the DVD: The DVD trailer hosted by Ed Sullivan makes much of the $1,000,000 cheque producer Samuel Goldwyn paid for the rights and the previews of the picture he obtained for his weekly television show. There's no denying that the remastered stereophonic soundtrack captures the Broadway sound to thrilling effect without it being overglamorised. The picture looks splendid too--never settle for the compromise version we've endured all these years on television! --Adrian Edwards
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm always looking out for videos to amuse both adults and children, and this is a jewel that my 10 year old adored. The dramatisation of Damon Runyon's classic short stories about small-time crooks, mobsters and chorus girls it starts with a long and very funny sequence tracking a pickpocket ambling through a crowded Times Square and getting away with tourists' wallets etc. The theme of "dolls" having the upper hand over "guys" made into a kind of ballet, and by the time three of the "guys" are gathered to give their illegal betting tips, a mood of 1950s liveliness and innocence established.
Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) runs the "oldest floating crap-game in New York", but gambling is illegal and Brannigan, a cop, is makig life uncomfortable for him just as some big gamblers have flown into town. Nathan can hold his game in a garage only if he pays $1000 to the owner, but how to get the money? He spots Skye Masterson (Brando), who boasts all girls are the same, and bets him that even he can't succeed in getting the prim Salvation Army militant, Sarah Brown, to go out with him that evening. However, Skye succeeds in persuading her by promising to bring "a dozen hardened sinners" to her mission the following night. They go to Havana - only to fall in love. In order to make good his bet, Skye then has to pin his hopes on a single roll fo the dice...
Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) runs the "oldest floating crap-game in New York", but gambling is illegal and Brannigan, a cop, is makig life uncomfortable for him just as some big gamblers have flown into town. Nathan can hold his game in a garage only if he pays $1000 to the owner, but how to get the money? He spots Skye Masterson (Brando), who boasts all girls are the same, and bets him that even he can't succeed in getting the prim Salvation Army militant, Sarah Brown, to go out with him that evening. However, Skye succeeds in persuading her by promising to bring "a dozen hardened sinners" to her mission the following night. They go to Havana - only to fall in love. In order to make good his bet, Skye then has to pin his hopes on a single roll fo the dice...
The songs, dances, costumes and script crackle with old-fashioned glamour and wit. Brando can't sing for toffee, but it doesn't matter because he's got everything else. Jean Simmons is perfect - sweet and a bit coarse underneath, and Vivian Blaine as Miss Abigail a perfect combination of cat-like shrewdness and kittenish naivety. Ol' Blue Eyes typecast as a seedy low-lifer. Pure joy.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
Of the 4 leads in this musical,only Vivienne Blaine belongs in a musical, being a major vaudeville & Broadway singer & hoofer before this was made.
Despite this, it's a thoroughly enjoyable experience, good colour and sound and an outstanding supporting turn by Stubby Kaye. Jean Simmons retains her English innocence well as a Salvation Army lass and even assists in helping you forget that Damon Runyon's picaresque language translates hopelessly to screen.
But the best bits are Brando & Sinatra. Brando surprisingly fits well into Sky Masterton and tackles things with enthusiasm. There's also a permanent smirk on his face, because he knows that Frankie wanted HIS part all along, and doesn't it show! Frankie's face throughout looks like he's performing One more for my Baby or Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week.
If you wonder how the film ever got finished in those circumstances, don't worry-it did! It's amazingly good half-a-century on, and a must have-good musical,good laugh,too!
Despite this, it's a thoroughly enjoyable experience, good colour and sound and an outstanding supporting turn by Stubby Kaye. Jean Simmons retains her English innocence well as a Salvation Army lass and even assists in helping you forget that Damon Runyon's picaresque language translates hopelessly to screen.
But the best bits are Brando & Sinatra. Brando surprisingly fits well into Sky Masterton and tackles things with enthusiasm. There's also a permanent smirk on his face, because he knows that Frankie wanted HIS part all along, and doesn't it show! Frankie's face throughout looks like he's performing One more for my Baby or Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week.
If you wonder how the film ever got finished in those circumstances, don't worry-it did! It's amazingly good half-a-century on, and a must have-good musical,good laugh,too!
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I would say that anyone who loves musicals will
have seen guys & Dolls-to any one who has not seen this Musical and has no more than a passing
interest in musicals then make the effort- it will
be an experience you will not forget-Marlon Brando singing "A Woman In Love" to Jean Simmons
after he has taken her for dinner in Havana Cuba
is a joy- and Sinatra singing to adelaide the "sue Me " number when she finds that he is running "crap games" and the line of the song "Sue me" -sue me-sue me- shoot bullets through me-I love you- it makes you feel sorr7y for them both-but alls well that ends well when they finally marry in a double wedding ceromony with Brando & Jean Simmons---go out and buy -borrow (-but don't steal,) the video or dvd
and have yourself a ball!!
have seen guys & Dolls-to any one who has not seen this Musical and has no more than a passing
interest in musicals then make the effort- it will
be an experience you will not forget-Marlon Brando singing "A Woman In Love" to Jean Simmons
after he has taken her for dinner in Havana Cuba
is a joy- and Sinatra singing to adelaide the "sue Me " number when she finds that he is running "crap games" and the line of the song "Sue me" -sue me-sue me- shoot bullets through me-I love you- it makes you feel sorr7y for them both-but alls well that ends well when they finally marry in a double wedding ceromony with Brando & Jean Simmons---go out and buy -borrow (-but don't steal,) the video or dvd
and have yourself a ball!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Guys and Dolls DVD
The Guys & Dolls DVD arrived on time, in the condition as advertised.
An excellent and enjoyable film for a Wet Sunday afternoon to see a Young Marlon Brando and Frank... Read more
An excellent and enjoyable film for a Wet Sunday afternoon to see a Young Marlon Brando and Frank... Read more
Published 21 days ago by David J. Nield
From stage to screen
"Guys and Dolls" is just about my favourite musical; not only does it boast a wonderful score, but it has a great book and a galaxy of unforgettable characters drawn directly from... Read more
Published 24 days ago by M. Joyce
Old ones are the best
It is good to see the old shows - an array of talent not usually associated with musicals. Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons singing, Frank Sinatra, Vivienne Blain - a great line up. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ruby2shoes
skippy
Of all the musicals I believe this to be one of the best. Although made a long time ago it has stood the test of time. Read more
Published 3 months ago by skippy
Watchable musical with some fantastic choreography
Guys and Dolls (1952) is a watchable musical about love relationships, identity, and life in an age marred by drink and gambling. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Miami
Guys and Dolls
A lovely happy film with many memorable songs that leave you humming long after the film ends. It is a good mixture of comedy and music with lovely characters like Nathan Detroit... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jan Headland
Guys and Dolls Movie 1955
An excellent movie spoof set around illicit gambling in New York circa 1935; gambling was then it appears illegal, so Nathan Detroit ran a floating Crap game to avoid the New York... Read more
Published 8 months ago by drrdf
guys and dolls
A classic musical, the songs and dancing are set pieces and if you buy this then you probably already know what you are buying. Includes interesting anecdotes in the extras.
Published 9 months ago by Isadora
guys and dolls
Beautifully written story. Wonderful characters.Sinatra is as good as hes ever been. Brando is surprisingly good and Stubby Kaye as Nicely Nicely Johnson is brilliant. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Graham
A great classic must-have
Everything from Marlon Brando's understated acting, to the cinematography of this film is great. Fabulous performances, even if Jean Simmons' singing wasn't top calibre.
Published 10 months ago by JC
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