That quote is from Ronald Holloway of Variety magazine in his review of Marty, the 1955 winner for Best Picture. This originally aired on television in 1953, with the teleplay written by Paddy Chayefsky. For the theatrical version, he adapted his own original source material, expanding on the characters to bring this to movie length. Several of the supporting characters who appeared in the original television version also appeared here, but the main pair of characters were played not by Rod Steiger and Nancy Marchand as on TV. Instead, Ernest Borgnine was cast as Marty, with Betsy Blair portraying his love interest, Clara. Critics loved it, and audiences agreed. Let's take a look at an unlikely hero in an unlikely smash hit film, both named Marty.
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Marty Piletti (Borgnine) is an Italian-American butcher, 34 years old, living and working in the Bronx, New York. He has a large family, and all of his brothers and sisters have gotten married, so customers are constantly asking him when HE'S going to tie the knot. Marty does his best to answer the questions over and over again, but the truth is the constant badgering bothers him at times. He's a nice guy with a good disposition, but he's a bit socially awkward and he doesn't think there's a girl out there for him, so he just accepts the fact that he'll probably stay a bachelor, living at home with his mother.
His best friend is Angie (Joe Mantell), and they often spend several minutes at night asking each other what each one feels like doing that night. Angie decides he wants to meet some girls tonight, but Marty isn't feeling up for it. Angie reminds him of a couple of women they met recently, and he pushes for Marty to call the one he (Angie) doesn't want so they can all get together. Marty decides he and Angie will figure something out for later.
At the Piletti home, Marty's sister Virginia (Karen Steele) is there with her husband Tommy (Jerry Paris). They're discussing their living situation with Theresa Piletti (Esther Minciotti), Virginia's and Marty's mother. They're married and they live with Tommy's mother, Catherine (Augusta Ciolli). Things are getting very tense with that living arrangement, especially with a new baby. They ask if Catherine can move in Theresa here. Theresa says of course. Tommy and Virginia now just have to figure out how to ask her to do it. Marty comes home and talks with his mom about how he's been offered to purchase the butcher shop and make it his business. He also decides to follow through on Angie's recommendation and call that girl, Mary Feeney. He makes the call, but is unsuccessful in trying to meet up with her.
Marty and Angie go to the Starland Ballroom. Angie has no trouble finding a girl to dance with. Marty isn't so lucky. Meanwhile, a foursome arrives, with one girl on a blind date. Her date isn't too excited about her, and eventually he offers Marty $5 to take her off his hands. Marty won't do it, saying it's immoral. He watches when a few minutes later someone does take up that offer, but when the payer is brought to her table, for whatever reason they don't hang out. The girl leaves her table and goes up to the roof. Marty heads out there as well and he sees the girl softly crying. Marty makes conversation with her, and her name is Clara (Blair). They hit it off, spending the night together. After dancing for awhile at the club, they take a walk and then eat at a diner.
Theresa visits Catherine. Tommy and Virginia head out to the movies so the ladies can converse. Catherine seems to enjoy discussing how everyone she knows is dying. Theresa says she loves having Catherine around because she's always filled with such happy news. Catherine also talks negatively about Tommy's wife, and says it's a "widow's curse" when the children all grow up and the mothers wind up alone. Catherine will move in with Theresa tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Marty and Clara are still hanging out. Marty talks up a storm, keeps realizing it and tries to stop, but then goes into another story. Clara smiles. Angie is still at the club, and he can't find Marty so he walks the streets looking for him. Marty and Clara share a lot of things in common, and they encourage each other in regards to where they're each going with their lives and careers. Marty brings Clara to his home to meet his mother, but Theresa isn't there. Marty hopes for a kiss but Clara refuses him. Marty is upset. Clara says she isn't sure how to handle it, but she knows she wants to see Marty again soon. They share a brief kiss. Theresa comes home and meets Clara. The ladies have a brief discussion about mothers-in-law living with their married children, and they seem to differ on how they feel about it. Marty eventually decides to walk Clara to the bus stop since it's getting late.
While Marty and Clara are at the bus stop, Angie finally spots him. Marty introduces Clara to him, and Angie seems pretty uninterested. Marty doesn't plan on hanging out with Angie any more tonight, so Angie leaves. The bus arrives, and Marty says he'll call her tomorrow at 2:30. When Clara gets home, she tells her parents about her night and how much fun she had. Clara's dad seems especially excited for her.
That next morning comes. Tommy wants to drive Catherine to Theresa's. He and Virginia are arguing because he's upset she and his mom couldn't get along better. They continue arguing all the way to the Piletti house. Marty tries to talk to Tommy while they still bicker. Meanwhile, Theresa and Catherine discuss the "widow's curse" some more, and based on last night's events Theresa is now worried Marty may get married and move out. At Sunday Mass, Theresa belittles Clara to Marty, saying she's too plain for him. As 2:30 approaches, Marty is supposed to go home and call Clara, but his friends also disparage her and try to convince Marty to hang with them instead. Marty winds up talked into submission and doesn't call Clara.
Clara sits at home with her parents that night watching television. She's crying softly, thinking Marty lost interest. Meanwhile, Marty is with his friends and it's the same ol' routine. "What do you wanna do tonight?" "I don't know, what do YOU wanna do tonight?" He listens for several minutes and finally snaps, saying he's giving up a chance at love with a woman that makes him happy, and he thinks she likes him too. Marty goes to a phone booth and calls Clara after proclaiming he had a great time last night and he's going to have a great time again tonight, and if they keep having good times together, if he has to he'll get on his knees and beg Clara to marry him. Marty smiles as he and Clara begin to talk on the phone. Angie sulks next to Marty in the phone booth as Marty chastises him, saying he's 33 years old, when is HE going to get married?
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Betsy Blair had difficulty getting cast for the role since she was amongst those blacklisted by Hollywood due to the Red Scare of the 1950's. Her husband, Gene Kelly, threatened to boycott any of his contracted pictures currently in the works if she was refused the role. The studio caved.....Paddy Chayefsky and Jerry Orbach have brief, uncredited roles in the movie.....This was the first Best Picture winner to be adapted from a television production.....The movie cost just $343,000 to make. More was spent on its Oscars campaign, over $400,000.....At 90 minutes in length, it is the shortest film in history to win Best Picture.....As depicted in the 1994 film Quiz Show, this film is the answer to the question that "Twenty-One" contestant Herbert Stempel was ordered to answer incorrectly in the game show scandals of the 1950's.
With all the love critics and audiences showered on this film, it's no surprise to see the Academy honored it with 8 nominations. Mantell and Blair were nominated for their supporting roles, and there were also nominations for Art/Set Direction and Cinematography. Those awards all went to other films, but the other 4 nominations scored victories. Chayefsky won for Best Adapted Screenplay, Borgnine won for Best Lead Actor, Delbert Mann won for Best Director (the first director to win an Oscar for his debut) and Marty was named Best Picture over Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, Mister Roberts, Picnic and The Rose Tattoo. A nice film with a simple feel-good story, Marty still remains a crowd-pleaser all these years later.
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