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


See all Guys and Dolls articles

Quotes from

Nathan Detroit: [after losing a bet that he cannot say what color his tie is] Polka dots. In the whole world, only Nathan Detroit could blow a thousand bucks on polka dots.


Sergeant Sarah Brown: [after Sky confesses that their date is just part of a bet] Why not? You're a gambler. And darling... you are also a chump.


Sky Masterson: We have time to catch the last plane back to New York.
Sergeant Sarah Brown: People miss planes. It happens.
Sky Masterson: Yeah? It also happens that people win with loaded dice.
Sergeant Sarah Brown: I know what I'm doing.
Sky Masterson: Do you, kid?
[kisses her nose]
Sky Masterson: I don't.


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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 audio for each of Marlon Brando's musical numbers is constructed from multiple takes.
This was the only Samuel Goldwyn production to be released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
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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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