Has Your Tween Seen "Guys and Dolls"?

Source: Gary Dennis

(33 ratings)

Note from Tween Parent: As part of our ongoing commitment to bring our readers thoughtful ideas, insights and information related to preteen parenting, we're pleased to introduce a regular entertainment feature highlighting classic movies to share with your tween. We'll be tapping into the archives with the help of Gary Dennis, classic film authority and founder of Gary Dennis' Movie Place of New York City. Stay tuned and enjoy!

Guys and Dolls (1955)

Originally a Broadway hit, the movie is a nice introduction to both Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. The story, based on Damon Runyon's tales of old New York, focuses on Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) who is having a really hard time finding a location for the current week's "Oldest Established Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York". Big Jule, a Chicago mobster, and every serious gambler in New York City are depending on Nathan Detroit to come through with a place for the game. It turns out that the only spot he can find costs $1,000 (about $8,500 today). To get the money, he bets prolific gambler Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando) that Sky can't get Miss Sarah Brown (Jean Simmons) to go with him to Havana for dinner. Meanwhile, nightclub singer Miss Adelaide (Vivian Blaine, reprising her Broadway performance) wants Nathan to marry her after their 14-year engagement. And to top it all off, a very nosey Police Lieutenant Brannigan always seems to show up at the wrong time.

Genre: Musical, Comedy, Romance, Crime...

Rating: Not Rated*

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Starring: Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons, Marlon Brando and Vivian Blaine

Highlights

Musical numbers include the songs: "Fugue for Tinhorns", "Luck Be a Lady", "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat".

Insider Scoop/Trivia (for Parents!)

• Since the role of Sky Masterson was originally written for a singer (and the role of Nathan Detroit was originally written for a non-singer), Mr. Sinatra wanted the role of Sky Masterson. He was rumored to be so disturbed about the casting that he referred to Mr. Brando only as "Mumbles."
• The songs, "A Woman in Love", "Pet Me Poppa" and "Adelaide" were written for the screen version and were not in the original Broadway show. As a part of the Broadway production, the Nathan Detroit character didn't sing in the title song; it was added to the film to increase Mr. Sinatra's singing part.
• Gene Kelly was originally sought for the role of Sky Masterson, but MGM (the studio that Mr. Kelly was under contract with) refused to allow Mr. Kelly to make a film with Samuel Goldwyn. Grace Kelly was originally pursued for the role of Sarah Brown. It was also rumored that Marilyn Monroe wanted the role of Adelaide but the director didn't want to work with her again (she had a small role in All About Eve (1950); Mr. Mankiewicz avoided her by saying that he hadn't received her calls).
• Jerry Orbach, who later played Sky Masterson in a 1965 Off-Broadway revival of the stage production, makes an un-credited appearance in one of the early scenes of the film. Twenty years old at the time, Orbach is seen spinning around as a customer in one of the chairs at the barbershop, and shaking Mr. Sinatra's hand as the main part of the song "The Oldest Established" begins. Orbach sings the single line "Why, it's good old reliable Nathan".
• Mr. Brando was not known for his musical abilities, but he is recognized for having done a good job in the role. His songs were pieced together from several short takes (if you listen, it might seem as though he doesn't breathe). The editing worked, and besides, the tweens are not ready for A Streetcar Named Desire!

Recognition

Guys and Dolls won two Golden Globes and was nominated for four Academy Awards. In 2004, the American Film Institute ranked the song "Luck Be a Lady" at #42 on their list of the 100 greatest film songs. In 2006, Guys and Dolls ranked #23 on the American Film Institute's list of best musicals.

* In the United States, the Motion Picture Association of America, through the Classification and Rating Administration, issues ratings for movies. The system was instituted in November 1968 and is voluntary; however, most movie theater chains will not show unrated domestic films and most major studios have agreed to submit all titles for rating prior to theatrical release.

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The venerable Gary Dennis launched the website, nycmovieplace.com, after closing his retail location, Movie Place, in New York City. Upon the store's closing, he auctioned off what was considered one of the greatest private collections of DVDs and videos ever assembled! Visit Gary's website at nycmovieplace.com for his truly unique brand of movie suggestions and commentary.