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.
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."
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.
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.
[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
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.
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).
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!
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!
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'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.
SIT DOWN YOU'RE ROCKIN' THE BOAT - favorite version, the original by Stubby Kaye (1955) “ … and I hollered, 'Someone fade me' ... Google to ask: “What does 'someone fade me' mean?" Urban Dictionary replies: "When you're playing in a open game of craps (not in a casino), you need someone to put up money against what you're betting. The person putting up that money is fading you ... " “Tell us, Nicely” says Sinatra's character in the film version: “Tell us, in your own words.” What follows - Stubby Kaye's performance (with chorus) --- is many people's favorite moment in musical film history. If you've never seen it, you are in for a treat. Better than the Broadway performance, because he sits down in silence. In the theater the audience goes nuts. A show stopper as they used to say. Thanks for sharing a version with (deservedly) 1.2M views Nicely D. Celebrated elsewhere [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
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."
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.
Goodness classics like these need to be shared with today's world made requirements for kids to watch several times through out their school careers so that they can catch on to the subtle and not so subtle messages these types of movies send.
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
An outstanding incredible NUMBER ever! Merci beaucoup for this incredible incomparable remastered rendition rendering. Merci beaucoup from Paris France
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
My mom loved this scene/song. I do too. I always think of her now when replaying it. I smile remembering how animated she'd get replicating Stubby Kaye's flawless performance. She turned me on to so many great cinema classics. RIP
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 was just thinking that identical thought. Genuine talent, subtle performance nuances, and despite questionable casting choices, the principle roles gave 100%.
Recently saw an extraordinary production of Guys and Dolls at The Bridge Theatre, London...promoting me to want more; thank you Frank Loesser and thank you Stubby Kaye for your original rendition that sets the bar so high🙏🌈
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...
I played Nicely Nicely Johnson in a school production of 'Guys and Dolls'. I still remember every word of this song, 28 years on! I remember feeling very hot - they padded me out as I was a little slim. ;) This is the first time I have every seen the song in the 1955 film. Shameful, I know.
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 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
Oh my God, I didn't even realize that. AWESOME observation!!!! I think the word "bashful" would probably describe it better.
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
Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat
His sit
I've always loved Guy's and Dolls. Kinda wish church was still a big deal like it was in the '50's.
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! ♥️
OMG!! When was that. Was he in London then? Around 1962/3?
@@lyntedrockley7295 Yes! I was born in 1962!
@@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!
@@lyntedrockley7295 Yes! She was the beat the clock girl and performed as chorus girl at the London Paladium!
@@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 all he does is gamble and drink is he really such a bad guy?
He also eats a sandwich. He felt a little faint.
I love when he hits the high notes. He has such a pure tone.
And just a touch of an absolutely genuine New York accent.
@@Tmanaz480 born and raised in Morningside Heights!
Vinny D he does!
And he always makes it look easy.
He was a wonderful singer and performer, he made the movie the hit that it was.
"And the devil will drive you under..."
This line always has such a beautifully melancholy inflection. So wonderful.
drag you under
*drag
Yeah, it's clearly drag.
Just finished two weeks of playing Nicely. An absolute gift of a part. I felt Stubby Kaye was watching over me.
Wow, how great! :)🙂
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.
GrizzledGeezer somebody else totally agree
ayokay123 What Marin’ Sam from Lil Abner...
In Broadway, they called this an Eleven O'Clock number, it was a big second or third act tune that got everyone singing along before the finale.
Happy 99th birthday, Stubby Kaye! You were, and still are, a Broadway legend.
We'll always have him on film. A really underrated star, in my opinion.
There have been many fine productions of Guys and Dolls since it first opened, but Stubby Kaye will always and forever own this song.
To this DAY this number remains one of my favorites from any musical. It simply fascinates me!
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.
I enjoyed reading your incisive comments. I think what you are saying is true and deep.
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."
@@HooDatDonDar Superb. Deepest thanks for sharing, Hoo Dat Don Dar [ ! ]
For my money, one of the great numbers in musical history. Who could equal, much less surpass, Stubby Kaye's rendition?
Ronald McDonald
@@tytus2170 Perhaps, but probably not.
Imagine being able to create something so iconic on Broadway and then on the big screen. What a joy that must have been for Mr. 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.
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.
Maybe Sinatra was so generous because it was Stubby Kaye's number, not Sinatra's.
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
Also, you can see sometimes if you watch Sinatra, he didn't sing some of the lines.
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.
Nicely Nicely Johnson gets the absolute best, most spine-chilling song in the entire show!
Stubby is brilliant in this. Notice his moves and expressions are not stage-big. He's pulling back slightly for the camera.
Exactly, a text book case of knowing just how to subtly adjust a stage performance for the screen.
[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
WOW!!!! and the melody is so unbelievable
@@lovebanditrecords2 there are some subtly tricky intervals in there aren't there? It's easy to sing it almost correctly.
..Passin’ out the whiskey..
Anytime you catch a Stubby Kay number you know it’s gonna be amazing 🎭🎶. Definitely one of my favorite musical theatre artists!!
The golden age of musicals; will we ever see their like 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.
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).
Probably my favorite show tune of all time. Love the play on his name midway through.
James Didn't realize there was a pun until you said that
This is my favorite showstopper song. No one will ever do it better.
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!
EVERYTHING about this scene screams brilliant. Everything............... Oh, and when Stubby finally sits down in the end.....................
When he picks up his hat at the end it brings a tear to the eye. Genius.
Beautifully done! It must take balls to sing this number on stage. It requires a lot of strength, and there's nothing whatever to hide behind.
That's it. I need to watch this movie again!
Stubby Kaye is perfectly cast in this role. He has a similar persona in Sweet Charity. Take a look at him in that movie version of the play also.
Jean Simmons was gorgeous, ESPECIALLY in a uniform!
I’m singing this in my musical theater and let me tell you, this song is a masterpiece and extremely fun.
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 am singing it in a show in march
Stubby Kaye had one of the best, purest set of pipes in show biz. Those B-flats near the end are out of this world.
This scene and the song and chorus was pure magic. The harmonizing and him hitting those high notes is incredible. 👍🏻👌🏻
As much as I have issues with other casting choices with this movie. I think Stubby Kaye is the exception. He nailed this part.
One of the greatest showstoppers in the history of theater and film!
Is this song copyrighted?
@@lukasphillips7311 Since it was written by Frank Loesser and published in 1950, I would think that it's still under copyright.
@KDoyle4 ok thank you
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.
Legendary showstopper! Inimitable, too. Thank you.
One of my fav all time Broadway numbers !!!
@mem...But could you see Carol Burnett singing this song? She, like Martha Raye, had a way with a song.
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.
@@TheAureliac thanks for the update.
I remember playing nicely nicely back in secondary school, this song in particular and it will forever remain a GOATED BANGER TO THIS DAY!!!!
My teacher sang this every time someone stood up😂
That must have been a very musical class.
Did he also sing "Sit down, John, sit down John, for God's sake John, sit down" from "1776?"
Stubby Kaye is my spirit animal.
He was a gem. What a great scene this is. One of my most favorite musical numbers of all time.
"And the devil will drag you under. With a soul so heavy you cannot float. Sit Down x5 You're Rockin the Boat!"
Can't stop listening...
It's Over 9000 Productions nice avatar XD but yeah one of my fav showtunes!
It doesn't get any better than this! A joy to watch!
SIT DOWN YOU'RE ROCKIN' THE BOAT - favorite version, the original by Stubby Kaye (1955)
“ … and I hollered, 'Someone fade me' ...
Google to ask: “What does 'someone fade me' mean?" Urban Dictionary replies:
"When you're playing in a open game of craps (not in a casino), you need someone to put up money against what you're betting. The person putting up that money is fading you ... "
“Tell us, Nicely” says Sinatra's character in the film version: “Tell us, in your own words.”
What follows - Stubby Kaye's performance (with chorus) --- is many people's favorite moment in musical film history. If you've never seen it, you are in for a treat. Better than the Broadway performance, because he sits down in silence. In the theater the audience goes nuts. A show stopper as they used to say.
Thanks for sharing a version with (deservedly) 1.2M views Nicely D. Celebrated elsewhere [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
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."
Cracking 2024 Summer Once More!!!! Sit Down Your rocking boat!!
This was my Christmas movie this year. Well worth watching.
This appears about eight times in my "Showtunes but I'm in a good mood" playlist.
I got the pleasure of watching this with my daughter for the first time. She didn't get it but loved the musical numbers. This being her favorite lol.
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.
Made a year after my birth I've grown up with wonderful films like this, and grown old watching them with great affection.
Goodness classics like these need to be shared with today's world made requirements for kids to watch several times through out their school careers so that they can catch on to the subtle and not so subtle messages these types of movies send.
One of the very best of all time. Lyrics, music, and the amazing Stubby.
Those 84 haters dont know what cheerful testimony music sounds like!
That coda is just as much fun to listen to now, as it was my very first time hearing it! ❤
Such a cracking song. He makes it look effortless. What a wonderful performance. ❤
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
An outstanding incredible NUMBER ever! Merci beaucoup for this incredible incomparable remastered rendition rendering. Merci beaucoup from Paris France
One of the most memorable performances in the history of (Broadway) entertainment.
You are right, Jay Young!
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
THIS IS my favorite song like I never heard it before and watched last night and my head exploded
An incredible big man singing, what a good voice! E
My mom loved this scene/song. I do too. I always think of her now when replaying it. I smile remembering how animated she'd get replicating Stubby Kaye's flawless performance. She turned me on to so many great cinema classics. RIP
*This guy looks like someone's high school principle.*
lol
How about "principal"?
Douchebag
We don't need these types of comments for musical theater, thanks 😐
You have that backwards.
I think this is the greatest show stopper ever.
Stuuby Kaye was always amazing. People may remember he was one of the troubadours with Nat King Cole in the movie "Cat Ballou."💖💖🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Loved that movie! Thanks for reminding me!😊
Another one of my favorite role of his is Marryin' (yes no 'g') Sam in Li'l Abner. Another musical I can watch over and over.
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.
Beautiful.
Much under rated talent......fabulous voice
Please Hollywood, bring this kind of entertainment back.
I was just thinking that identical thought. Genuine talent, subtle performance nuances, and despite questionable casting choices, the principle roles gave 100%.
One of favorite scenes from any musical 💙
Recently saw an extraordinary production of Guys and Dolls at The Bridge Theatre, London...promoting me to want more; thank you Frank Loesser and thank you Stubby Kaye for your original rendition that sets the bar so high🙏🌈
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...
Ugh haven't listened to this in so long. How could I forget how good this is so good??!!
I've seen so many productions of this song from Broadway casts, but no one even comes close to Stubby Kaye
Truth.
Whenever my brothers and I used to misbehave as children, my mum would shout "Sit down, sit down, sit down, you're rocking the boat!"
Fun fact for those who didn't know: Stubby Kaye was one of the three actors from the original Broadway and London productions to reprise their role.
Robert Alda should have made it four. He had the looks and the voice.
Like Jose Ferrer, talent drives this act. He’s not getting by on his looks.
Preach it, Brother Nicely!
It got Audrey Hepburn.
His voice is like honey and so perfectly executed and unique!
I played Sarah in a high school stage production and it's one of my favorite memories. ❤
I first heard this at a Wichita South High School production about 1971 or '72. I was about 11 years old; burned itself into my memory!
I just auditioned for this show at my school today and I went for nicely nicely Johnson 🍕🍕🍕
Did you get him? :o
Paul Luna yes
Congrats! I got Benny three years ago in my high school production!
ok well Luna Sun.. don't leave us hanging, post the video, we wanna see it!
I just auditioned for him too and got him too
BEST SONG IN THE *MOVIE*!!!!!
STUBBY KAYE WAS THE GREATEST! 🙂👍
I played in the orchestra for this broadway show. It was a lot of fun.
Who loved watching films like this sprawled on the couch with a full tummy after eating a great big Sunday roast?
I played Nicely Nicely Johnson in a school production of 'Guys and Dolls'. I still remember every word of this song, 28 years on! I remember feeling very hot - they padded me out as I was a little slim. ;) This is the first time I have every seen the song in the 1955 film. Shameful, I know.
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.
An incredible outstanding 35 millimeters stereophonic soundtrack from Hollywood history !Merci beaucoup for this incomparable rendering!
Magnetic recording--one of the spoils of WW2--was a revolution in fidelity. A bigger leap than even digital audio.
Thank you for posting this gem!!! so wonderful - ahh when Broadway meets Hollywood and it works!!! just great
Que gairebé 70 anys després d'aquesta cançó, un jubilat de Barcelona com jo continui gaudint del seu art,ho diu tot del talent del gran Stubby Kaye.
This has always been my favorite version of this song
I have never seen this movie but now I want to and must do so as soon as possible...
Stubby really really really can sing man. He's just great.
One of my favorite show tunes, sung by the best character in any show.
ONE OF THE BEST EVER! BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO! Emmanuel from Paris France
One of the great performances of a song in musical!
There are not enough superlatives to describe just how good Stubby is in this scene.
Superb…just plain superb!!!
Stubby kaye in all his wonderful glory. Love his voice.
My absolute favourite musical number.