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When you see a guy reach for stars in the sky...

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5 Jul 23rd, 2007 

21 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
Excellent cast, catchy songs, entertaining storyline

Disadvantages:
No special features on the DVD

Recommendable Yes:

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Soundtrack

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About me:

I'm a marine biology student, a waitress, and a nutty 21-year-old girl. I have a mild obsession wi...

Member since:08.04.2007

Reviews:11

Members who trust:4

Guys And Dolls is without a doubt one of my favourite musicals ever made! The film was released back in 1955, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and it’s certainly stood the test of time.

The general plot is fairly simple; gambler Nathan Detroit who runs the 'oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York' needs $1000 to bribe Joey Biltmore in order to obtain a location to run the floating crap game. In order to obtain the money, Nathan bets high-flying gambler Sky Masterson (after a failed bet involving cheesecake and strudel!) that he cannot take a specific 'doll' to Havana. Sky agrees to the bet, and Nathan names the woman - a well-meaning 'missionary doll' who spends her days attempting to convert the sinning gamblers of New York - by the name of Sarah Brown. An additional complication to the storyline is Nathan's fiancee Miss Adelaide, a singer at the Hot Box nightclub. They've been engaged for 14 years, and Adelaide (from whom Nathan is concealing that he's still running the floating crap game from) is getting restless...

Without ruining the ending for anyone, this is one of the most entertaining and delightful musicals ever made. With a witty script, funny storyline and hilarious supporting characters such as Colonel Brannigan, Nicely Nicely Johnson and Big Jule, Guys And Dolls is a classic. The film also has an all-star cast with Frank Sinatra starring as gambler Nathan Detroit, Marlon Brando playing Sky Masterson, Vivian Blaine playing the talented Miss Adelaide and Jean Simmons playing Sargeant Sarah Brown. With Frank Sinatra as part of the cast, obviously you'd expect fantastic vocals, however the well-written lyrics and exceptional choreography boosts Guys And Dolls into a class of its own.

The songs from this musical are utterly unforgetable; from the catchy number Guys And Dolls, argumentative Sue Me, heartfelt Adelaide's Lament, the somewhat bacardi-fuelled If I Were A Bell, the classic Luck Be A Lady, and of course my personal favourite song, Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat!

The DVD itself unfortunately lacks any real special features. It has subtitles in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Dutch, and it also has the chapter selection feature common to most DVDs. It also comes only in widescreen, like many films dating from the fifties. However aside from the lack of special features, the DVD is quite good - considering it's a relatively old film, the sound quality and picture are excellent.

In short, this film won't change your life, it's not deep and meaningful and it probably won't make you think overly! However it is a fantastically entertaining story about men, women and love (with gamblers, missionary workers, dancers, catchy songs and bacardi thrown in!) and is a delightful way to spend a rainy afternoon. I've watched this film umpteen times, and I think it's an utter classic - I highly recommend you watch it, and I dare you not to tap your toes along to Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat!!! 

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Comments about this review »

M.Newcastle 04.09.2009 12:39

Great film!

n13roy 01.09.2007 22:40

Nice, easy to read and helpful review there..........Roy......

S.Bate 08.08.2007 07:52

One that I need to get round to owning. Shame you don't get too much extra with it, but well worth adding to the collection.

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Guys And Dolls DVD

Guys And Dolls DVD

Based on the Broadway show from the Damon Runyon short story and filled to the brim with ... more

Frank Loesser tunes such as "Luck Be a Lady" and
"Sit Down  You're Rocking the Boat " this
outrageously comic film featuring Marlon Brando's
bold musical debut is ...

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