Marty
Short description
Marty is a romantic drama about a lonely butcher living with his mother in the Bronx. Despite constant pressure from his family and friends to find a partner, the socially awkward man has grown discouraged regarding his prospects. His outlook changes when he meets Clara, a school teacher. Although neither fits conventional beauty standards, the two discover a deep emotional connection. The main conflict arises as Marty's social circle and family attempt to discourage the relationship, forcing him to decide if he will defend his feelings for Clara.
The film was directed by Delbert Mann, marking the start of a career that included later works such as Our Town and All Quiet on the Western Front. It was produced by Burt Lancaster and Harold Hecht and written by Paddy Chayefsky. The cast is led by Ernest Borgnine in the title role and Betsy Blair as Clara, supported by Esther Minciotti, Augusta Ciolli, Joe Mantell, and Karen Steele, among a credited cast of 30.
Released in 1955, the movie earned 3 million USD at the worldwide box office. It is well-received by viewers and professionals alike, holding a rating of 7.5/10 on TMDB based on 473 votes. Film critics provided a higher assessment, giving the movie a rating of 8.1/10 from 78 reviews.
What's left behind the scenes
- Betsy Blair (born Elizabeth Winnifred Boger, 1923-2009), who played Clara, had difficulty getting permission to film in the movie because she was on the Hollywood blacklist. However, her then-husband, Gene Kelly (1912-1996), literally forced Hecht-Lancaster Productions and United Artists to give Blair the role, threatening that he would otherwise not participate as either a director or an actor in any of these companies’ projects.
- Director Delbert Mann (1920-2007) had no idea who to cast in the lead role and asked his friend, also a director, Robert Aldrich (1918-1983), for advice, who immediately suggested Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012). Mann was initially skeptical of this suggestion, but Aldrich managed to convince him.
- The only case in the history of cinema where the film's producers spent more on promoting the film ($400,000) than on creating it ($343,000).
- Film historians claim that the release of this film specifically demonstrated the success of low-budget independent cinema in the American film market and contributed to the promotion of such films in the United States. Leading figures in American studios had long known that this type of cinema was successful in Europe, but they doubted whether it could achieve the same success in the American market. The box office success and critical acclaim of 'Marty' demonstrated that low-budget films with unknown actors, produced in the USA, could compete with European art-house cinema on an artistic level. This film cemented the reputation of United Artists as a haven for daring independent producers, and rival companies MGM and 20th Century Fox also began releasing similar films.
- Rod Steiger (1925-2002), who played Marty in television adaptations, said he turned down the role in the film because he was bound by a long-term contract with Hecht-Lancaster Productions. On the other hand, producers Harold Hecht (1907-1985) and Burt Lancaster (1913-1994) did not want to film Steiger, stating that audiences would hardly want to pay money to see an actor they had already seen at home on television for free.
- Screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky (1923-1981) decided to write the screenplay when he came across a sign at the entrance to a dance hall in the Abbey Hotel in New York: 'Ladies invited by men, remember men get hurt too.'
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