Guys and Dolls Overview:

Guys and Dolls (1955) was a Musical - Romance Film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and produced by Samuel Goldwyn.

The film was based on the short story The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown written by Damon Runyon published in Collier's and as a Musical (Jan 28, 1933 (magazine) and Nov 24, 1950 - Nov 28, 1953 (play performed at 46th Street Theatre, NY)).

SYNOPSIS

Brando's bold musical debut based on the Damon Runyon comedy - adapted by director Mankiewicz - about gamblers and a Salvation Army lass. Sky Masterson (Brando), veteran gambler, takes a bet from Sinatra that he can win the heart of a "soldier" in the Salvation Army. The Loesser tunes include "Luck Be a Lady," and Blaine, Kaye, Pully, and Silver reprise their Broadway roles.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1955 --- Ceremony Number 28 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Oliver Smith, Joseph C. Wright; Set Decoration: Howard BristolNominated
Best CinematographyHarry StradlingNominated
Best Costume DesignIrene SharaffNominated
Best Music - ScoringJay Blackton, Cyril J. MockridgeNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Guys and Dolls (1955)

By Beatrice on Feb 23, 2016 From Flickers in Time

Guys and Dolls Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz Written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz from the play by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and stories by Damon Runyon 1955/USA The Samuel Goldwyn Company Repeat viewing/Netflix rental #309 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Sky Masterson: Oh, yeah. Nine ... Read full article


Eles e Elas / Guys and Dolls (1955)

By L? on Dec 11, 2015 From Critica Retro

Eles e Elas / Guys and Dolls (1955) Com mil d?lares, Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) pode resolver todos os seus problemas, que envolvem d?vidas, jogos ilegais e um noivado que j? dura 14 anos. Ele v? sua grande oportunidade de conseguir o dinheiro na figura de Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando),... Read full article


Guys and Dolls (1955)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 4, 2014 From 4 Star Films

Headlining this film are Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra as Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit respectively. Both men are high stakes gamblers and things have heated up in town because the police are trying to crack down on a floating crap game. That’s not the only thing that turns hot though. M... Read full article


Guys and Dolls (1955)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 4, 2014 From 4 Star Films

Headlining this film are Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra as Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit respectively. Both men are high stakes gamblers and things have heated up in town because the police are trying to crack down on a floating crap game. That’s not the only thing that turns hot though. M... Read full article


Kristen Recasts the Classics: Guys and Dolls

on Apr 26, 2013 From Journeys in Classic Film

I started this column looking at the “brilliant” idea Hollywood has to remake Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca. ?I figured I’d have a few months, at least, before the next round of studio execs picking random old movie titles out of a hat would happen. ?Alas, it was not to be. ?Via... Read full article


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Quotes from

Nathan Detroit: Still, you will admit that Mindy's cheesecake is the greatest alive.
Sky Masterson: Gladly. Furthermore, I am quite partial to Mindy's cheesecake.


Sky Masterson: [after Sarah orders milk in a Havana nightclub] Now, don't make a spectacle of yourself... You are a United States citizen in a foreign country, have you no pride in what the rest of the world thinks about Americans?


Nathan Detroit: If a guy did not have a doll, who would holler on him?


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Facts about

After a tryout in Philadelphia, the play opened on Broadway on 24 November 1950 and closed on 28 November 1953 after 1200 performances. The play won a Tony for best musical and another for best choreography for Michael Kidd, who staged the dances and musical numbers in this movie. Original cast members included Robert Alda (father of Alan Alda) as Sky Masterson, Isabel Bigley as Sarah Brown, and Sam Levene as Nathan Detroit. Vivian Blaine as Adelaide, Stubby Kaye as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, B.S. Pully as Big Jule and Johnny Silver as Benny Southstreet all appeared in their original Broadway roles for the movie.
The original Broadway production of "Guys and Doll" opened at the 26th Street Theater on November 24, 1950, ran for 1200 performances and won the 1951 Tony Award (New York City) for the Best Musical. Vivian Blaine and Stubby Kaye recreated their stage roles in the movie version.
Marilyn Monroe wanted to play Adelaide, but director Joseph L. Mankiewicz didn't want to work with her again (she appeared briefly in All About Eve) and supposedly pretended he never got her phone messages. Betty Grable was in talks to play Adelaide but when she canceled on the director to be with her sick dog, she was dropped. Judy Holliday was also briefly considered for the role.
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Also directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz




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Also produced by Samuel Goldwyn




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