Marty (1955)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

Paddy Chayefsky (story)
Paddy Chayefsky (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 June 1955 (Belgium)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

EVERYBODY'S RAVING ABOUT "MARTY" . . . The year's BIG entertainment surprise a warm and human story with characters you'll love and remember!

Plot:

A touching story about two lonely people who have almost resigned themselves to never being truly loved.

Plot Keywords:

Butcher | Love | Bus Stop | Diner | Loneliness

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Ernest Borgnine	...	Marty Piletti
Betsy Blair	...	Clara Snyder
Esther Minciotti	...	Mrs. Theresa Piletti
Augusta Ciolli	...	Aunt Catherine
Joe Mantell	...	Angie
Karen Steele	...	Virginia
Jerry Paris	...	Tommy

Runtime:

91 min | 94 min (alternate version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Canada:G (Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:Approved (PCA #17297) | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions

Trivia:

The first American film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the first scene, when Marty is talking to Mrs. Fazarri in the butcher shop, in a frontal shot of Marty he is slicing pork chops and puts the knife back, and begins to wipe his hands. When the camera angle changes to a rear shot of Marty, he is again slicing before putting the knife up to wipe his hands.

Quotes:

Angie: What do you wanna do tonight?
Marty Pilletti: I dunno, Angie. What do you wanna do?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: The Best of Molly Shannon (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

Marty

Proof That a Picture Doesn't Need SPFX - It needs great Actors

Okay, so I'm in the Business. I don't believe this movie could get made today except as an art house film. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. Starting with a terrific script by Chayefskey (arguably one of the five best playrights of the 20th century), this movie eschews every that's big about motion pictures for a story about Everman who didn't have a date on Saturday night. Rod Steiger first performed the role on television. It won a number of Emmys. "Opened up" for the silver screen, it retains the intimacy of its characters. Ernest Borgnine has probably been in 100 movies, but this was his shining moment. He breathes live into the hapless Bronx Butcher whose soul longs for love. When he gives his "I'm gonna get down on my knees..." speech, the tears begin to flow. Why? Because in our heart of hearts, each of us feels the need for love and self validation. Marty doesn't need special effects or action sequences. Marty is in a class by itself. Had it never been made we would have all missed an opportunity to look inside ourselves. Maybe in this day and age, with all our CGI and Virtual Reality, we need another Marty, to remind us who we really are.

10/10