Guys and Dolls (2000, DVD)

The DVD for 1955's "Guys And Dolls" is a fantastic movie! Musicals are one my favorite kinds of movies, especially the classics. So I knew when I bought this movie that I was in for a treat! Not only that, but the cost was low. I only paid $9.99 for it, and it was worth every penny!

First of all, "Guys And Dolls" is glittering with some of the most famous celebrities of all time. Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine, Marlon Brando, and Jean Simmons light up the screen with heartwarming performances.

Now for a brief overview of the plot. The film begins in the busy and wild tourist attraction known as Times Square. Tourists, cons, beauties, gamblers, etc flood the street. We are soon introduced to a group of gamblers, as well as the most well-known host of a crap game around: Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra). Nathan is constantly being hassled by Lt. Brannigan (Robert Keith) for hosting his illegal gambling outings. Nathan is a nice guy, and tries to be fair but is still stern and determined to make his games successful. But he is running out of places to host! The only one willing to cooperate is asking for $1,000.

Meanwhile, Nathan has been engaged for many years to a lovely show performer named Adelaide (Vivian Blaine). Adelaide is basically a ditz, but is loyal to the extreme to Nathan. She wants nothing more than to marry him, but he always puts it off. She is quite funny and Nathan can easily make her think anything he wants her to. Adelaide is by far my favorite character. Her songs and lines are delightful! Vivian Blaine is an amazing actress and any scenes with Adelaide are almost always hilarious.

So, back to Nathan's $1,000 problem. Because he needs money fast, he sets a bet with "high roller" Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando). Sky is known to make a bet on almost anything. In fact, he once bet a great amount of money that one raindrop would drip down a window before another raindrop would! Sky also quotes his father's advice frequently. Sky believes that every female (which he refers to as "dolls") are all alike, and that he could easily charm any "doll" out there. So Nathan bets him $1,000 that he cannot charm the innocent Sarah Brown (Jean Simmons).

Sarah Brown is a missionary who is new to New York City. She is stern in her ways and very moral. So when the "sinner" Sky Masterson asks her out to lunch at Havana, Cuba, she instantly becomes suspicious.

I don't really want to give the rest away, because I think it is alot more fun just to watch the movie! My favorite scene is probably the bar fight. It is hilarious! When Sarah punched the woman all the way across the room I roared with laughter!

Not only is the acting amazing, but the performances are just as great! All of the main characters sing, as does some supporting actors such as Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Stubby Kaye)in the song "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat". My favorite songs in the movie are probably "Pet Me, Poppa" which is an "alley cat" performance by Adelaide and her dancers and also the hit song "Luck Be A Lady". Marlon Brando sings "Luck Be A Lady", but I've heard Sinatra sing it somewhere and Sinatra's version is better. However, Brando still does a decent job. I also enjoy the songs "Adelaide's Lament", "Sue Me", "If I Were A Bell", and all the rest!

The set design is also a great spectacle in itself. It is bright, dazzling, and full of enthusiastic extras.

This movie has it all! Great acting, amazing musical performances, laugh-out-loud comedy, and an all-star cast. I am a big fan of Frank Sinatra, so this movie is also a must-see for any Sinatra fan. It is a little long (2 hours and 29 minutes), so younger viewers might get a little bored. However, people over the age of 13 or so will probably be able to keep the attention to enjoy this film all the way through.

Sadly, there is only one special feature on this DVD and that is the original theatrical trailer. But this trailer is quite unique which explains why Samuel Goldwyn paid $1 million dollars just to get the rights to make the movie. But there is also a neat little sleeve inside the cover of the DVD which explains countless interesting facts about the movie.

Enjoy "Guys And Dolls"! It is an unforgettable classic musical that has some of the greatest songs ever heard in a movie!