I do love musicals, and occasionally watch something like "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" or "Calamity Jane". They are silly, but if the songs are good, if the chemistry is right, well, I can forgive a lot. I usually say my favorite musical is "Les Miserables", but that means seeing it in the theater. I'm not a fan of the recent film. And I have a big soft spot for "Annie Get Your Gun", because of the delightful songs and spectacle and feminist edge to the story. But last night we saw "Guys and Dolls" again. You know how I know how much I like it? Something was defective with the DVD we'd had for years, and I actually ordered another. I really wanted to have it at my fingertips.
The story is sillier than silly, but it somehow works. Some Times Square petty gamblers are looking for a spot for a craps game, and Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) is the facilitator, but can't get a space because the police are determined to jail them all. He can get a garage if he has a thousand bucks, so he bets Skye Masterson (Marlon Brando) that he can't take a Salvation Army prude (Jean Simmons) to Havana for the night. The subplot is the threat of Nathan and Adelaide breaking up because she's given him an ultimatum after a fourteen years engagement to marry her or it's over. The chemistry is so great between Brando and Simmons, and because Frank Sinatra is perfectly cast and Vivienne Blaine is adorable, and mostly because of Stubby Kaye, as Nicely Nicely the film is sheer fun. The dance choreography is goofy, the costumes bright and colorful and a handful of the songs are super terrific. At the beginning and end, Kaye leads two rousing, clever songs, and his tenor, in contrast to his chubby form (think opera) brings comic delight to the viewer. "Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat" is a finale that leaves me humming and singing for hours after.
Brando actually insisted on singing himself, and he does fine, and Simmons is as well. Their attraction is believable and the scenes in Havana funny and charming. You really believe they fall for each other that night. That they are both gorgeous helps. Their sudden commitment contrasts with the interminable engagement of Nathan Detroit and his doll. Both ways happen in life, and nobody has to change their stripes to get married. Sarah Brown is in her Salvation Army uniform when she marries, and Adelaide is in full frou-frou. There is a nice little message about not trying to change the other person, and the movie is long over before you realize Nathan and Skye have no legitimate way of earning a living. Oh, well. You can't have everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment