Marty, a butcher who lives in the Bronx with his mother is unmarried at 34. Good-natured but socially awkward he faces constant badgering from family and friends to get married but has reluctantly resigned himself to bachelorhood. Marty meets Clara, an unattractive school teacher, realising their emotional connection, he promises to call but family and friends try to convince him not to.
Acting
Borgnine's transformation from tough guy to tender heart.
Writing
Paddy Chayefsky's dialogue feels eavesdropped, not written.
Director
Delbert Mann
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
James Bell
Mr. Snyder (uncredited)
Charles Cane
Lou - Bartender (uncredited)
Paddy Chayefsky
Leo (uncredited)
John Dennis
Andy (uncredited)
John Milford
(uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot in just 16 days for $343,000, it became the first TV drama adapted to film to win Best Picture.
Betsy Blair was blacklisted in Hollywood; her husband Gene Kelly fought to get her this role. Her casting was literally a political act.
US
