Vital Stats:
Year: 1955
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Stars: Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine, Stubby Kaye, Sheldon Leonard
Choreographer: Michael Kidd
Music & lyrics: Frank Loesser
Based on stories by: Damon Runyon
Summary:
Gambler Nathan Detroit is under a lot of pressure. Not only is his fiancee of 14 years getting tired of waiting for him, but he also can't find a place to hold his permanent floating crap game. In an attempt to get the money to pay for a gambling location, Nathan makes a $1000 bet with high-roller Sky Masterson. Surely Sky can't talk missionary Sgt. Sarah Brown into going to Havana with him. Or can he?
Memorable Moments:
The title song, the city sewer performance of "Luck Be a Lady", and the show-stopping "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat".
What I love about it:
Two fun numbers by the ladies: "Adelaide's Lament", ("a person can develop a cold") and the rum-induced-exuberance of "If I Were a Bell". Actually, a big part of the fun of the latter song is watching Brando react to the rum-induced-exuberance. (And while we're on the subject, you have to give Brando credit for doing his own singing, in the same movie as the incomparable Frank Sinatra, too.)
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7 comments:
I love the movie version. Frank Sinatra singning "Adelaide, Adelaide, ever lovin' Adelaide is takin a chance on me." It's not in the broadway or traveling shows, but I love it.
I was part of the ensemble in a performance of Guys and Dolls once upon a time. This musical will always hold a special place in my heart.
This was my fave as a kid. My school put on the play, and I really wanted to be in it, but there are like NO girl parts! (Besides the main dolls.) Our brown-noser choir director decided to cast the School Administrator's daughters as the two female leads. I suppose I should be thankful I was offered the next biggest female role ... but I turned it down since it was the crazy religious mission director lady. I ended up just selling tickets.
Oh, and as a side note ... I could never figure out whether I had a bigger crush on Nat'an or Sky.
Oh, I saw this one in London with Ewan McGregor in it! It was pretty amazing! :)
Jess, I also enjoy the change from "My Time of Day/I've Never Been in Love Before" to "A Woman in Love" in the movie. The way they used it throughout the time in Cuba by playing it in slightly different ways was great. I do miss "A Bushel and a Peck" though.
David, it's cool that you got to be part of the show!
Cesia, sorry that you didn't get to be part of the show exactly. I think it would be really fun to play Adelaide, although I identify more with Sarah. And I used to be a bit torn on Nathan and Sky,too. Now when I watch, it's Sky, hands down. What was I thinking?
MovieNess, I'm jealous of you seeing Ewan! I imagine he would make a good Sky.
Yeah, they did a good job not just filming the play for this one. Many musicals are just lifted straight from the stage, and Guys and Dolls does a great job of becoming a movie. Also, the new broadway version stars Lauren Graham as Adelaide!
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