Neither of the leading men in Guys and Dolls represent the traditional model of masculinity in the 50s. Nathan runs a floating crap game and has been engaged to Adelaide for fourteen years, denying her the domestic bliss she desperately yearns for. Sky is a master gambler, a high risk taker, who travels from hotel to hotel and thinks all dolls are the same "like cough-drops." Both of these characters suggest a different masculinity then the typical white-collar, suburban males, because there's no denying the fact these are MEN.
Sinatra has graduated from the effimenate roles of his earlier musicals. He knows how to handle a doll (even if Adelaide is his weakness), he's the leader not the follower, and there's no trace of a form-fitting sailor suit! For the majority of the movie Sinatra seems comfortably cool and confident. He walks at a slower tempo holding his arms behind his back. His words are accentuated and contain none of the earnest whine Clarence had. The only moments when Sinatra's acting felt forced was when he is nervously awaiting the outcome of his bet with Nathan. The chewing and spitting of his fingernails seemed cliche, only done for a laugh.
Marlon Brando's performance as Sky Masterson the gambler with a heart of gold who knows the Bible better than the missionaries draws upon his method acting, but falls far from his performances in films like A Streetcar Named Desire or On the Waterfront. He injects Sky with subtle nuances like the way he points his hat to emphasize his points, and his penetrating gaze into Miss Sarah Brown's soul. These don't make up for his mediocre singing though. When he broke into song I felt like saying, "Shhh . . . Just keep talking please. Leave it to Sinatra." Sinata performs his songs with ease and grace. Overall I give Brando points for his acting, and Sinatra points for his singing. (A groundbreaking statement I'm sure.)
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