Guys and Dolls (1955)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Luke B

  
  The opening says it all. Or rather, shows it. A beautifully choreographed piece sets the tone of the film, the city, and the characters. As we follow a watch being stolen numerous times, it shows us the petty crime, and the fun and exuberant dances show us the whimsical nature.… More
  The opening says it all. Or rather, shows it. A beautifully choreographed piece sets the tone of the film, the city, and the characters. As we follow a watch being stolen numerous times, it shows us the petty crime, and the fun and exuberant dances show us the whimsical nature. Sinatra is great as Nathan Detroit, and Brando shows us a completely new side to himself. Sure, his singing may have been cut and pasted from multiple takes, but cinema is all abut creating illusions. The film may be gentle and obvious, but none can deny the sheer excellence of routines, such as the sewer craps game. Making good use of color, movement, humor, and songs, this is a classically addictive film.

• AJ V

  
  If you don't think Brando has range, you need to see this movie. I love it, the songs are good, the actors are good, the story is interesting, and it's exciting and romantic too. I love it.

• Mark H

  
  Bouncy MGM musical set during the late 1940s detailing the activities of petty criminals and professional gamblers in New York . Nathan Detroit bets that Sky Masterson can't take uptight, ultraconservative Sarah Brown to Havana on a date. Detroit hopes to win $1000 so he can… More
  Bouncy MGM musical set during the late 1940s detailing the activities of petty criminals and professional gamblers in New York . Nathan Detroit bets that Sky Masterson can't take uptight, ultraconservative Sarah Brown to Havana on a date. Detroit hopes to win $1000 so he can secure a place for his crap game. As with most musicals, the plot is merely an excuse to sing a lot of songs. The enjoyable score includes such classics as "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat", "Luck Be a Lady" and "Fugue for Tinhorns". The cinematography, costumes and Michael Kidd's choreography are marvelous as well. However the film's exalted reputation is overrated. Non-singers Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando are adequate, as is the rest of the cast, but no one is particularly exceptional. Even Frank Sinatra, who was reportedly unhappy with not playing Sky Masterson, gives a rather cheerless performance. The studio bound production is stagy and artificial, unbefitting a story set within the streets of New York City. And the film's bloated 150 minutes will test even the most ardent theater fan. A good adaptation, just not a great one.

• Conner R

  
  A bland musical that has very little personality or originality. Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra were entertaining, but served very little importance. The film has no depth or meaning, resulting in a forgettable experience.

• danny d

  
  take two of my favorite actors of all time, leave one (sinatra) in his element, and challenge the other more talented actor (brando) to step out of his a bit, and you get a genuine musical masterpiece. the film is nearly perfect, great dialogue, mostly great music, and a perfect cast… More
  take two of my favorite actors of all time, leave one (sinatra) in his element, and challenge the other more talented actor (brando) to step out of his a bit, and you get a genuine musical masterpiece. the film is nearly perfect, great dialogue, mostly great music, and a perfect cast of characters, and i was enthralled for the entire 150 minutes. one of my favorite films.

• Jennifer X

  
  Question: Does Marlon Brando sing in this? Yes, very badly. But how awesome that this is a GANGSTER musical, and a surprisingly legitimate gangster musical at that. I love the careful grammar and careful disuse of contractions. Mankiewicz has the most interesting repertoire.

• Lanning :

  
  Da streets are covered with tourists, and I do not want you molested. <p> This is a wonderful movie; I watch it probably once every three or four weeks. I'm surprised that I've never commented on it before now. Or maybe I have, and my comments have disappeared.… More
  Da streets are covered with tourists, and I do not want you molested. <p> This is a wonderful movie; I watch it probably once every three or four weeks. I'm surprised that I've never commented on it before now. Or maybe I have, and my comments have disappeared. <p> Brando was terrified about doing his own signing, but hey, he bit the bullet and did it. Not operatic, by any means, but more than good enough. Big points to him for that. <p>If you've read other comments I've made about Sinatra, you know that I like his acting very much, both in comedy and in drama. I believe he is very much underrated as an actor, and, ironically, a wee bit overrated as a singer. He's a very good singer, but I think his singing ability, as I mentioned with Judy Garland, has made it hard for people to see beyond his voice to his excellent acting ability. Personally, I think Nathan Detroit and the love of his life, Vivian Blaine as Miss Adelaide, are the true stars of this one. Although I love the chemistry between Brando and Simmons as well. <p>To give you a little bit more about Brando versus Sinatra, if you've ever heard a Sinatra recording of "Luck Be a Lady," then you may know what I'm about to say. Brando's pacing of that song in this film is excellent. It captures the kind of desperation point he's at. Sinatra's is, well, a little too somber. Almost too reflective. Brando is desperate for love and for honor in that sewer at this moment. It's a life-changing moment. It's not just another one of his "sky" high wagers. This one is for the moon. His rendition nails that high desperate hope for luck to be with him on all fronts. <p> Anyway, this is a definite must-see for any Hollywood musical buffs.

• Stella D

  
  two for brando's singing, tho he's not as bad as clint eastwood in paint your wagon; the rest for some really good musical numbers. the film might have been improved had brando and sinatra traded roles. also too looong. fun acrobatic dancing, snappy dialogue and that… More
  two for brando's singing, tho he's not as bad as clint eastwood in paint your wagon; the rest for some really good musical numbers. the film might have been improved had brando and sinatra traded roles. also too looong. fun acrobatic dancing, snappy dialogue and that bacardi flavoring makes a big difference...

• Ken S

  
  Brando's singing is sort of like the last person to finishing a marathon. You're just proud of them for the effort, even if the performance is a lack luster. Snappy dialog and a few great numbers make this a very watchable musical if you're into that sort of thing

• Alexander W

  
  Hey the reason you won't like this is because ITTTS TOOO OLD AND BORIING.. But I have found some very funny and entertaining movies which are much older than the films released these years. Its funny, its entertaining. Musical good singing.

• moon r

  
  hey! alla dese hardcases are really alright, yeah, so whatta youse gettin' all bent outta shape about anyways...you should take a powder or you know what, okay? what's not to like here? it's got everyting dat yer family might enjoy, even if dey don't, so watch it,… More
  hey! alla dese hardcases are really alright, yeah, so whatta youse gettin' all bent outta shape about anyways...you should take a powder or you know what, okay? what's not to like here? it's got everyting dat yer family might enjoy, even if dey don't, so watch it, or else you'll get yours...

• jay n

  
  love the play, love the music, love Jean Simmons but have never been able to get more then 20 minutes into this

• Mike T

  
  Such a charming, funny film with fantastic performances from the entire cast. It's a very well-directed film. Mankiewicz makes brilliant use of color and stylistically choreographs the picture's numerous catchy songs. Brando, despite a questionable singing voice, flexes his… More
  Such a charming, funny film with fantastic performances from the entire cast. It's a very well-directed film. Mankiewicz makes brilliant use of color and stylistically choreographs the picture's numerous catchy songs. Brando, despite a questionable singing voice, flexes his considerable acting muscles once again with a performance that is as charismatic as it is convincing.

Read all 13 featured audience ratings