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Editorial Reviews
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The original 1950 production of this classic played the mythical Damon Runyon world of New York City gamblers a lot straighter than the 1992 Broadway revival did. In fact, 1950 reviewers called this the "South Pacific of crapshooters." Alas, Guys and Dolls plays a lot better as a cartoon-like "fable" in the 1990s--which is why the revival is probably the definitive recording while this one is more a historical artifact. Still, it's a gas to hear Robert Alda (Alan's dad!) and Sam Levene originate the roles of Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit, while both Vivian Blaine and Stubby Kaye (who actually gets most of the showstoppers) would repeat their roles in the otherwise dreadful 1955 Brando/Sinatra film version. And the Frank Loesser music is always great. --Bill Holdship
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A remastered CD of a Broadway masterpiece with some bonuses,
By
This review is from: Guys & Dolls: A Decca Broadway Original Cast Recording (1950 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)
Not all that many musicals can brag that more than half the songs have become standards. And in these days of the "one tune show" (if that many), it is the revivals of the Oldie Greats that represent the American Musical at its best. And high up there stands <Guys & Dolls>. I will grant that the recording of the last revival is quite good and certainly more complete than the original cast recording from 1951. But the soloists (if we forget the relatively lackluster role of Sarah) cannot replace the Damon Runyonesque cast of the original: Robert Alda, Vivian Blaine, Sam Levene, Pat Rooney, Sr., and Stubby Kaye. Therefore any collection of Broadway history must include this older release.So just in case you do not yet own a copy, know you by this presence that Decca has reissued it on CD (012 159 112-2) with four bonus tracks from the film for those who think Marlon Brando renditions are worth hearing. Add to which, the booklet has some excellent photos from the 1950 production. 'Nuff said. Run out and grabbit.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Original Cast,
By
This review is from: Guys & Dolls: A Musical Fable Of Broadway (1950 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)
As the son of the original musical director of "Guys & Dolls", I can see why you said that the show only works as a cartoon. Thats because you've only seen the show done in that manner and not played "real" the way it's supposed to. The characters of Sky, Sarah and especially Adalaide should NEVER be made fun of. When the show works the best is when the audience thinks they could leave the theatre and run into those people on the street and not in the Sunday comics. "Guys & Dolls" should be done the way "Fair Lady", "West Side", etc are AND not cut like the last revival, with dances that relate to the story, not just pretty "steps".If we only had critics even on the level of John Chapman around today. The reason I gave only 4 stars to the recording is the 50's sound of the recording and that they didn't record so much of the score. But if you listen to the original orchestrations you can hear how even the relate to whats being said, listen to "I'll Know" and the difference between Sky's section and Sarah's Then listen to what they did in the revival.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Desert Island Bradway Recording Must,
By furiant@sprint.ca David Cavlovic (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Guys & Dolls: A Musical Fable Of Broadway (1950 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)
Was there ever a time Guys & Dolls was out of the record catalogues? Like "I Love Lucy" does a day go by without some group performing this picture perfect Runyonesque hommage that is amongst the top five greatest musicals of all time (including Showboat and Oaklahoma)? MCA's CD re-issue, complete with the original liner notes and additional notes that serves as a neccessary "antidote" to the original notes, is a must for anyone who loves good music. Now, don't misunderstand me. There's nothing wrong with the original notes. Just that, like the rest of New York, critic Louis Untermeyer was intoxicated with the brilliance of the lyrics, score and the casting (why did they cast Marlon Brando in the film instead of Robert Alda? What a big mistake!). As Max O. Preeo, the writer of the "antidote" notes states, "Untermeyer greatly oversimplified Guys and Dolls' success". This was done with good intentions, of course. Nevertheless, the entire CD package is the best issue yet of Guys & Dolls. The two programme notes, original artwork from the first DECCA issue, photos from the production itself; what a wealth of treasure to accompany the wonderful music. Loesser is a master composer whose style can range from Jazz to Beethoven-type harmonies, with a lyrical singing line that singers would expect from Mozart Arias. Incredible music that easily places one in the world of "petty-gamblers", Salvation Army members and show girls. All this from the same composer of the score for Danny Kaye's film "Hans Christian Andersen"!!
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