Guys and Dolls (1955)

	Directed by: Joseph L. Mankiewicz	COUNTRY USA GENRE Musical NORWEGIAN TITLE Guys and Dolls RUNNING TIME 150 minutes
	Produced by: Samuel Goldwyn
	Written by (based on the book and show): Joseph L. Mankiewicz Ben Hecht

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Sky Masterson	Marlon Brando	½
Sister Sarah Brown	Jean Simmons	½
Nathan Detroit	Frank Sinatra	½
Miss Adelaide	Vivian Blaine
Nicely-Nicely Johnson	Stubby Kaye
Lieutenant Brannigan	Robert Keith
Harry the Horse	Sheldon Leonard
Arvide Abernathy	Regis Toomey
Big Jule	B.S. Pully

Review

What were once lavish studio sets and well-choreographed sing-and-dance numbers now come off as respectively contrived and stilted in this romantic musical. Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra gained more attention for their off-screen feud – which stemmed from Sinatra's jealousy of Brando's status and lead role combined with Brando's unwillingness to let anyone win a battle of testosterone or pride with him – than for their interplay on-screen, which is more or less non-existent. The two stars are not the real problem here, however; Sinatra is reliable as always, and Brando both sings surprisingly well and has quite a bit of chemistry with his co-star Jean Simmons. The problem is rather the film's slight script and dated conflict between good (here meaning righteousness and piety) and bad (here meaning debauchery). This dichotomy may have served a purpose back in 1955, but today it feels sophomoric and reduces the drama to Sunday school level, effectively dampening any sort of sexual tension Brando and Simmons may have cooked up. The film's best assets are a few quippy exchanges and a couple of enjoyable musical numbers, but it's not enough to keep Guys and Dolls relevant sixty years on.