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Marty
1955
Delbert Mann's big-screen remake of Paddy Chayefsky's 1953 teleplay, one of the most successful works of film's Golden Age, stars Ernest Borgnine as Bronx butcher, Marty Piletti. A good-natured man, if plain and overweight, the 34-year-old bachelor has become fed up with the dreariness of life with vacant, dead-end friends like .. Read more
| Starring | Ernest Borgnine, Betsy Blair, Esther Minciotti, Karen Steele |
|---|---|
| Director | Delbert Mann |
| Genres | Drama |
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Marty
Delbert Mann's big-screen remake of Paddy Chayefsky's 1953 teleplay, one of the most successful works of film's Golden Age, stars Ernest Borgnine as Bronx butcher, Marty Piletti. A good-natured man, if plain and overweight, the 34-year-old bachelor has become fed up with the dreariness of life with vacant, dead-end friends like Angie (Joe Mantell), omnipresent relatives like his cousin Tommy (Jerry Paris), and his nagging mother, Theresa (Esther Minciotti), with whom he shares a house. Often rejected by women, he feels that he is too unattractive to marry, and is far from eager to endure further humiliation. Still, Marty finds himself at a local dance hall, where he angrily refuses a man who offers him a few bucks to take home a blind date who has turned out to be a dog. The butcher seeks out the humiliated woman, Clara (Betsy Blair), who's in tears, and after he comforts her, they return to the dance. As Marty confesses similar experiences of his own to Clara, he realizes that he may have found the woman he's been looking for. Influenced by neo-realist masterpieces like UMBERTO D., Chayefsky's poignant, brilliantly observed kitchen-sink drama remains as persuasive as ever, as it explores the universal need to give and receive love.
| Starring | Ernest Borgnine, Betsy Blair, Esther Minciotti, Karen Steele, Jerry Paris, Joe Mantell |
|---|---|
| Director | Delbert Mann |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 29 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Dubbed | French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Hearing-impaired | English, German |
| Subtitles | DVD: French, Italian, Spanish |
| Released | DVD: 03 Feb 2003 Production year: 1955 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Beginning life as a television drama, this slice-of-life tale from Paddy Chayefsky became part of the fabric of the 1950s, winning Oscars for best picture, Delbert Mann's direction, Chayefsky's marvellous screenplay and Ernest Borgnine's performance. Audiences used to seeing Borgnine in more menacing roles in films such as From Here to Eternity and Bad Day at Black Rock warmed to his sympathetic portrayal of the Bronx butcher with low self-esteem. Equally good is Betsy Blair as the vulnerable, unassuming schoolteacher Marty falls in love with. This tender, moving film was a major triumph for its uncredited co-producer Burt Lancaster, who, allegedly, made it as a tax loss.
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The first of the filmed teleplays which in the mid-fifties seemed like a breath of spring to Hollywood (they were cheap) and also brought in a new wave of talent. This is one of the best, its new naturalistic dialogue falling happily on the ear; but it ha
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Most helpful member's review
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8 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Likeable, heartwarming love story
The 'Marty' of the title is a lonely, 34-year-old butcher living in the Bronx with his overbearing Italian mother, sad at his bad luck in love and feeling that he has been left on the shelf. Fast-forward 50 years to the present day, and he would probably be out there speed-dating or using internet dating sites, but in 1950s New York his options were limited to trying to get someone to dance with him at the Starlight Ballroom. One evening in a chance meeting, he encounters his female equivalent, Clara, a 29-year-old teacher who, on account of her plain looks, has thrown herself into her career for fear of not getting a husband and ending up with nothing. The initial awkward meeting sets up both characters to open up to each other, admitting their fears, hopes, and growing feelings for each other in a timeless way that is still highly watchable and relevant to today.
The performances by the lead characters are excellent, particularly Ernest Borgnine who brings sensitivity and likeability to the title role. I'm not usually particularly into old films but I really enjoyed this one - a brief glimpse into the dating scene of yesteryear, some great performances, and a love story - perfect sunday viewing! My one criticism is that the film seems to end rather abruptly, but perhaps this is designed to leave you thinking rather than following through what would have been the obvious, predictable outcome. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
A gentle & attractive film of a sort that Hollywood wouldn't give house room to today. If you ever wondered why Ernest Borgnine was considered a major star when all the films you ever saw him in were cack then watch this. A particularly good film to watch on a 'night in'.
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