Guys And Dolls (DVD 2001)

Based on the Broadway show from the Damon Runyon short story and filled to the brim with Frank Loesser tunes such as "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat," this outrageously comic film featuring Marlon Brando's bold musical debut is a colorful tale about gamblers, a feisty Salvation Army lass, and a dance-hall girl with a pining heart.

Veteran gambler Sky Masterson (Brando) takes a bet from Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) that he can win the affection of a "soldier" (Jean Simmons) in the Salvation Army, setting himself up to lose both his money and his heart. Romance is the last thing the gambler and the missionary expect, and they fight against their attraction for all they're worth in glowing singing and dancing numbers.

Love proves to be contagious as spicy dancer Miss Adelaide, in a role re-created for the screen from Broadway by showstopper Vivian Blaine, is determined to get her fiance, Nathan, to the altar one way or another. Stubby Kaye and B.S. Pully also reprise their stage roles in this glorious Cinemascope film that earned four Academy Award nominations. GUYS AND DOLLS consistently ranks among the most popular film musicals of all time.

Don't be fooled this film is much more than it looks, don't get me wrong it looks great, whoever did the wardrobe deserves an Oscar..but..there is a sinister side to it and if you look hard enough you'll find more behind the glamour than just a really smart Hollywood musical..hidden behind the glitz are dark themes of redemption, supressed female sexuality,the power of alchohol to lower resitance to temptation,the buying and selling of souls, religeous conversion,incompetant policemen,lies, seduction, cheating, double cross...but why spoil a delicious romantic musical...its only fantasy..and Brando and Simmons are terrific!