I love how he just awkwardly sits back in his seat after he’s done delivering one of the greatest showstoppers in Broadway history It’s particularly great because a moment like that couldn’t be done onstage, as there’d be no silence thanks to an ecstatic audience
the funny thing too is that all the gamblers, even big julie, were singing their hearts out, and then at the end when nicely nicely sits down its almost as if they are looking at him with contempt loll
Stubby Kaye was my amazing and talented uncle! He married my dad's sister Angela Bracewell who was a dancer at the famous London Paladium! She was also the girl on the popular show " Beat the Clock!" Rest in Peace Stubby Kaye! ♥️
@@grennmanalieshi Hi Thanks for responding. So, about that time Stubby was involved in a childrens' TV Talent show, called Stubby's Silver Star show. It was on the UK commercial ITV channel Reddifusion. He may well have been in a stage show in London too at the time, perhaps Guys And Dolls. I was a young contestant on the TV show, lucky enough to be in two shows, a heat and semifinal. I remember him very well, just lovely with the very young (and nervous) kids on live TV. He co-presented with Muriel Young, very well known on childrens TV at the time. So I was just curious that maybe that was the time he met your Auntie!
@@grennmanalieshi So she was a Tiller Girl! Amazing! I remember Beat The Clock it was an interlude of games with participating audience members during the live broadcast of Sunday Night At The London Palladium. Hosted most famously by Bruce Forsythe.
The thing about Stubby Kaye's character in Guys and Dolls (and a lot of the other gamblers in this) is that even though he claims he's a bad man who gambles and drinks whiskey, you never believe a word of it because he's just too darn lovable!
If you know anything about musical composition and musical theater, you'll appreciate the pure genius of this scene. Yeah, and it's also Stubby Kaye's greatest performance; A legacy in a single song.
ayokay123 or even if you DON'T know anything about musical composition you will appreciate the genius of it. I adore it. Oh and I DO know something about musical composition - but you really don't have to!
ayokay123 I’m new to musical theatre and I really like the pure gold that is this scene. Sadly, as a violinist in the pit orchestra, I have to play the depressing part of the song
This is arguably the greatest comic song of any American musical. I particularly like the way Loesser injects "churchy" harmonies at appropriate points. (He also does this in "The Oldest Established".)One of the marks of a great comic song is that it's fun to sing. This one definitely is.
[NICELY] I dreamed last night I got on the boat to heaven And by some chance I had brought my dice along And there I stood, and I hollered, "Someone fade me" But the passengers they knew right from wrong For the people all said "Sit down, sit down you're rockin' the boat" The people all said "Sit down, sit down you're rockin' the boat And the devil will drag you under By the sharp lapel of your checkered coat Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down Sit down you're rocking the boat" I sailed away on that little boat to heaven And by some chance found a bottle in my fist And there I stood nicely passin' 'round the whiskey But the passengers were bound to resist For the people all said "Beware you're on a heavenly trip" The people all said "Beware, beware you'll scuttle the ship And the devil will drag you under By the fancy tie 'round your wicked throat Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down Sit down you're rockin' the boat" And as I laughed at those passengers to heaven A great big wave came and washed me overboard And as I sank, and I hollered, "Someone save me" That's the moment I woke up, thank the Lord And I said to myself "Sit down, sit down you're rocking the boat" Said to myself "Sit down, sit down you're rocking the boat For the devil will drag you under With a soul so heavy you'd never float Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down Sit down you're rockin' the boat" Sit down you're rockin' the boat Sit down, sit down you're rockin' the boat Sit down, sit down Please be seated
The genius of this song and this moment: It legitimizes Nicely's transformation. It demonstrates to the police that a real meeting is happening. It makes every guy in the scene likeable. It's Nathan's first truth to Adelaide ("I'm going to a prayer meeting."), which makes how they end up (no spoilers) more realistic and is the beginning of them turning a real corner. It's full of redemption. All of this in a couple of showstopping minutes.
Sure, and realistic. It happens that way, sometimes. In the story, the Sky gets converted too, and has some fun with the unnamed narrator: I see The Sky the other night at Forty-ninth Street and Broadway, and he is with quite a raft of mission workers, including Mrs. Sky, for it seems that the soul-saving business picks up wonderfully, and The Sky is giving a big bass drum such a first-class whacking that the scat band in the chop-suey joint can scarcely be heard. Furthermore, The Sky is hollering between whacks, and I never see a guy look happier, especially when Mrs. Sky smiles at him out of her hundred-per-cent eyes. But I do not linger long, because The Sky gets a gander at me, and right away he begins hollering: "I see before me a sinner of deepest dye," he hollers. "Oh, sinner, repent before it is too late. Join with us, sinner," he hollers, "and let us save your soul." Naturally, this crack about me being a sinner embarrasses me no little, as it is by no means true, and it is a good thing for The Sky there is no copper in me, or I will go to Mrs. Sky, who is always bragging about how she wins The Sky's soul by outplaying him at his own game, and tell her the truth. And the truth is that the dice with which she wins The Sky's soul, and which are the same dice with which Brandy Bottle Bates wins all his potatoes, are strictly phony, and that she gets into Nathan Detroit's just in time to keep The Sky from killing old Brandy Bottle.“
P. S. You can’t be sure if the Sky’s conversion is real, or if he just wanted the doll. Or a mixture? Who knows, people are complicated, and Runyon knew it.
Shared with Turner Classic Movies -- along with a request that they include this one soon as a "musical matinee" feature: "Favorite comment [below] from D. LEIGH (3 years ago) "The genius of this song and this moment: It legitimizes Nicely's transformation. It demonstrates to the police that a real meeting is happening. It makes every guy in the scene likeable. It's Nathan's first truth to Adelaide ("I'm going to a prayer meeting."), which makes how they end up (no spoilers) more realistic and is the beginning of them turning a real corner. It's full of redemption. All of this in a couple of showstopping minutes." [P.S. Total agreement with comment by:] Ann Melissa Richards 1 year ago "I enjoyed reading your incisive comments. I think what you are saying is true and deep."
Not many performers have Sinatra sing in the chorus while they have the lead. Shows both what a performance Stubby Kaye gave and professional Sinatra was.
binaway Actually, Sinatra was a rather rude performer on set. He practically threw temper tantrums on set because Brando got the role of Sky Masterson over him.
When Sinatra later recorded a g&d ensemble album (Martin, Crosby, Sherman, Sammy) he took over numbers from the characters that sang them. My impression was he struggled to let others take the limelight
binaway Sinatra was a spoiled brat. He wanted to be Sky but didn't get his own way. Shame he wasn't squashed when he and Doris Day made Young at Heart, which he ruined as he changed the ending! The power and ego of the (small)man beggars belief.
Yep, a fantastic Pop-styled show tune employing the “Call and Response” tradition of Black Spirituals (later Gospel) done beautifully by orchestrators: Skip Martin, Nelson Riddle, Albert Sendrey, and of course, the great Stubby Kaye!
Absolutely unbelievable. I don't know how many times I've watched this, and it doesn't stop being magic. Some of the best two minutes Broadway ever had. And the wonderful fit of "someone fade me/someone save me"...man, that's songwriting.
Future production, please take note of the tempo of the chorus in this version. This is the right call. Too many times I've seen this song done with a lackadaisical tempo on the chorus and it's completely the wrong style. There needs to be an imperative urge behind his words on the chorus. That's the subtext of having him sing that fast on the chorus.
Favorite musical, tied with, “Guys and Dolls” for favorite number... Yes, sir, when you see a guy reach for stars in the sky, You can bet that he's doing it for some doll When you spot a John waiting out in the rain, Chances are he's insane, as only a John can be for a Jane. When you meet a gent paying all kinds of rent For a flat that could flatten the Taj Mahal, Call it sad, call it funny, but it's better than even money, That's the guy's only doing it for some doll...
What is it about this fantastic performance that is so moving and makes you want to watch it over and over? The lyrics and the pacing is such marvelous genius! Yeah Frank Loesser and Stubby!
Same to me, I'm never tired of it and every time I get goosebumps. How I would have lived to see this on scene (and I mean THIS, not the overacted versions that we find on you tube from modern theatrical productions).
It's widely thought that Sinatra and Brando were terribly miscast for their roles in this film. Stubby Kaye sang this role in the Broadway production, and carried his polish into the film. He is also recognized as Marrying Sam in "Li'l Abner", but pretty much fell into guest appearance cameos during the rest of his career. Hell of a voice and personage on stage.
If ever there was a part Sinatra was born to play, it was the lead, Sky Masterson. Why they gave it instead to a guy who couldn't even sing, "Mumbles" Brando, still baffles me.
PRR5406 I wish I could have seen this in its original broadway production, I’ve always thought the ending was forced. Seven Brides is still my fav from that era.
I actually enjoyed watching Jean Simmons and Brando kind of uncomfortably belting out Broadway show tunes, but it's a wonderful high when you get to this great number, so beautifully sung and acted out with impeccable polish by a performer who's the real deal.
Gene Kelly wanted to play in this movie but MGM would not release him. Betty Grable was wanted for the role of Miss Adelaide but blew off an appointment with Sam Goldwyn and it cost her the part.
I did this show 35years ago and had the role of NICELY NICELY! I loved doing that show! We had a professional director, Mike Monahan and choreographer, Ann Monahan! We did the show at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino California. It was a WOW! The show is magical as well! A simpler time in life. I have always believed that both Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra were miscast in their roles as they were not electrifying enough for such a great show! I truly hope I get to do that show again someday soon. I still sing Guys and Dolls and Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat! Still gets me great applause and makes me very happy!
I was just thinking that identical thought. Genuine talent, subtle performance nuances, and despite questionable casting choices, the principle roles gave 100%.
That immediate change between the shy fat man in a poorly fitting jacket to a bombastic singing god then right back again in mere seconds. It really is true, they don't make them like they used to anymore.
I don't know if you've seen the full film, but Nicely is quite a charming, if slightly put-upon, sidekick for Nathan Detroit. This scene is a testament to Stubby's acting talent. You genuinely believe he's had some sort of crisis of conscience, and when he started testifying you believe he's found salvation Great actor Great singer
Sam The Shade (Stubby) and the Sunrise Kid (Nat) - Billed as "The Shouters". Nat's performance is amazing considering he was dying of lung cancer (and died four months before the film premiered).. Stubby also did a stint as the host of a kids' game show called "Shenanigans" which was created to promote Parker Brothers games.
I love it, the ledgeandery Subby Kay was one of the greatest preformers. When he was in the west end with Guys And Dolls he used to get coal from my grandad who was a coal man then. Paul Bacchus esq
An outstanding incredible NUMBER ever! Merci beaucoup for this incredible incomparable remastered rendition rendering. Merci beaucoup from Paris France
I've seen this a million times, so I won't repeat any of the obvious, but there is someone in this film who deserves a fine review, even at this late date. The beautiful young Hispanic man in the red shirt in the front of the chorus. He may be forgotten, but he will never be unloved. After all these decades, this is why we don't put up stupid fences...hopefully this will give y'all a chance to check out all the other so very talented people on the screen.
I had a crush on him when I first saw this and my admiration for him has never diminished. He was also in L'il Abner. I wish they didn't cut the credits so we could have some idea of his name.
I finally found out the beautiful dancer's name, but I now doubt that he was Hispanic. His stage name was Bert May. His birth name was Bertram Milton Mayer. He died last April at the age of 95.
The man who played Big Julie was BS Pully. He was a stand up comedienne, popular Broadway actor and was casted in several films. He was actually a very nice, friendly and warm man. He was married for 35 years which his marriage ended when he died of a heart attack at age 62. His son is a big time lawyer. Sinatra originally wanted the role of Sky Masterson. He and Marlon Brando did not get along too well during the production of the film.
@@PandaParade Darn, it's always the best guy from the choir. I know that feeling. Couldn't get a solo when I tried out in my choir. But overall, that's great! What solo did you get?
Arthur Muñoz the song "waving through a window" from dear Evan Hansen The choir at the end all sang the "oh" chords and I sang the chorus ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kfnMvo87fQU.html
Mr. Leonard was an outstanding actor, director and legendary producer of some of the most popular television shows in television history - the Danny Thomas, Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke Shows, Gomer Pyle, USMC and I Spy, among others.
I performed this last year as nicely nicely and it was possible the most invigorating number I've ever been a part of. the laugh was the absolute best part and i wish I could do it again
No, because now in the theater the emphasis is no longer on staging a good story and entertaining the audience....nowadays, you've got to be "socially aware" in order to "educate" audiences. That self-righteous, self-important diva Lin-Manuel Miranda jumps immediately to mind.
30 years ago, I had the honor of playing Nicely Nicely Johnson in our community theater. I was in my mid-30s and understood the legacy I would be carrying with me every night. In 6 weeks, we open "Guys and Dolls" again. This time I will be singing about sheep's eyes and lickerish tooth. I have appeared in over 2 dozen shows at our Community Theater, and had some great roles. This role, and this song, are my favorites. Thank you, Mr. Loesser. Thank you, Mr. Kaye.
I was lucky enough to have this part in our High School Musical many years ago. This inspired my younger brother to take up theatre and he performed it as well a couple years back. I love this musical and Stubby really stole the show in this production.
