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

Benny Southstreet: [about the cab that Nathan told him to take Adelaide to the Hot Box in] But who's going to pay for it?
Miss Adelaide: I am, of course!


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?


Sky Masterson: 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.


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Facts about

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.
The character of Sky Masterson is rumored to be based upon New York sportswriter - and former frontier marshal - William Barclay 'Bat' Masterson. In another rumor, according to David Blaine's book "Mysterious Stranger", Sky Masterson was one of the few men to successfully con gangster Al Capone.
Marlon Brando had been cast in the role of Sky Masterson, a role coveted by Frank Sinatra, while Sinatra was relegated to the supporting role of Nathan Detroit. Relations between the two actors were strained during production. Many years later, Brando said of Sinatra, "Frank's the kind of guy who, when he gets to Heaven, is going to give God a hard time for making him bald."
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Best Costume Design Oscar 1955











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Also directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz




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Also produced by Samuel Goldwyn




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