Guys and Dolls: A Colorful Musical in the Underbelly of New York
Directed by Joseph Mankiewicz
“I am not putting the knock on dolls. It’s just that they are something to have around only when they come in handy… like cough drops.”
sky masterson
Guys and Dolls sashays onto the screen with vibrant colors and musical numbers in the underbelly of New York City shining a light on their illegal activities. Following a successful Broadway play, the musical is adapted for the screen with its screenplay and direction crafted by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Opening with a crap game played by Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Benny Southstreet, and Rusty Charlie these three men rollick along the streets. Engaged in an ambitious gamble concerning a racehorse, they open with a number called “Fugue for Tinhorns.” Subsequently, one of our protagonists emerge onto the screen with chants regarding her own virtue – Sergeant Sarah Brown, the leader of the local Save-A-Soul Mission. She leads with a song of judgement and repentance to “Follow the Fold” and save your souls. On another lead, we meet Nathan Detroit, the notorious illegal floating crap game dealer who employs Benny and Nicely. Detroit wants to organize another crap game, however, with the overbearing police presence from Lt. Brannigan, tension arises. Eventually, he finds another place to hold the game, but a hefty payment is required. Burdened with the responsibility of securing this venue and dealing with a doll that just wants him to give up the crap game and get married – Detroit enters a deal with the metaphorical devil. Sky Masterson is introduced, fully donned in black and with insurmountable amounts of cash and charm. Willing to bet on almost anything, Detroit manages to make a bet with him. A woman of Nathan’s choice must be taken to Havana, Cuba with Masterson. Detroit chooses the most rigid he could find, Sergeant Sarah Brown. Herein is where the clash lies as Masterson and Brown contend on their worldviews and an enemies-to-lovers relationship is established – which is very prevalent trope in printed and digital media. As Masterson attempts to persuade Brown, Detroit is preoccupied with winning back the affection of Miss Adelaide, his doll.
Headlined by Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit, the casting directors could not have chosen a better person for this musical regarding belting notes. His acting fell a little flat, but his singing was superb, if Anchors Aweigh is anything to go by (one of my favorite Sinatra musicals). Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson did a stellar job as the charming, and surprisingly moral gambler. He holds his own during his musical numbers, especially the duet with Jean Simmons titled “I’ll Know.” Simmons as the militant yet gorgeous Sarah Brown meshes well with Brando as their interactions are more of a push and pull. Vivian Blaine as Miss Adelaide is superb as she reprises her role from the early 1950s Broadway production of Guys and Dolls. This film has had an impact on popular music. The most modern and innovative pastiche like this musical is the “Alright” music video by Janet Jackson from her Rhythm Nation 1814 album. It captures the essence of the 1950s MGM musicals classics but is fresh with political statements using Zoot Suits and the use of popular dancers during those eras like the Calloway Brothers and Cyd Charisse. Her video is a callback to the classics which is something I always love to see. Though I may love it, the film adaptation faces many criticisms. One of the main ones being that the film is inferior to the Broadway due to casting choices.
Guys and Dolls, the musical film, is held up today with entertainment and beautiful colors. There is a bit of mixed reviews where the film is denigrated based on its inferiority to the Broadway play. Nevertheless, it is a solid watch if you are a fan of 1950s musicals.
The Island Cinephile 
