MARTY

US, 1955, 91 minutes, Black and White.
Ernest Borgnine, Betsy Blair, Esther Minciotti, Joe Mantell, Karen Steele, Jerry Paris.
Directed by Delbert Mann

Marty is a brief film (about the 90 minute mark), in black and white, a small budget - yet it won the Oscar for best film of 1955, Oscar for its director Delbert Mann, Oscar for its star Ernest Borgnine.

The film was written by Paddy Chayevsky (Party Girl, Network). Chayevsky was a TV writer and adapted his play for the big screen. It was produced by Hecht and Lancaster, Burt Lancaster's company. Delbert Mann was to go on to direct such films as Separate Tables, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Dear Heart and a number of humane telemovies.

The film gives a strong opportunity for Ernest Borgnine to portray the middle-aged butcher of Italian background in New York City, his work, friendships and his falling in love with Clara. Clara was played by Betsy Blair, who received an Oscar nomination (and went to Spain for Bardem's Calle Mayor, in which she gives a similar and somewhat heartbreaking performance).

The film recreates the atmosphere of New York City in the '50s, the young Italian men and their attitudes towards family, women, marriage. The film ends nicely with some certainty, but the possibilities of uncertainty as Marty rings Clara.

1.The quality of the film? Its Oscars and reputation?

2.New York City, black and white photography, the homes and the streets, authentic atmosphere, musical score?

3.The TV play and its being opened up for the cinema?

4.The 1950s, New York City and its look, lifestyle, the Italians, their being together, ethos, family, homes, food, work? Marrying Italian girls? The significance of religion? Italy in New York?

5.Ernest Borgnine as Marty, his age, a good man, his working as a butcher, lower class, his friendship with his customers and giving them good service, their questions about when he was going to marry? His best friend and their going out? The boys, chatting up the girls? His self-image, low self-image? His relationship with his mother, living at home, the brothers and sisters married? The brothers and the in-laws? His aunt and her problems?

6.The portrait of his mother, the widow, her relationship with her children, her home, caring for her sister, visiting her, trying to be diplomatic and persuading her to leave her children? Memories, in her mid-50s? Her attitude towards Italian families? The visit of Clara, her not liking her, her attitude towards Clara's opinions?

7.The contrast with the succeeding generation, being American, getting their homes, their pay, hard work, marriage? A future?

8.Marty going out with the boys, talking about the phone calls, chatting up the girls? His meeting Clara? Tears, their talk, the continued talking? Dancing, Marty opening up his heart to her, her listening? His taking her home, the kiss and her reaction? His mother's arrival, her reaction? The quality of their sharing? The effect on Marty, his promise to ring her? The day going past, the talk with the men? His callow attitude, his thinking of Clara, his standing up for himself, his change of heart and the phone call?

9.Clara in herself, not attractive to men, being left by boyfriends, her loneliness, tears, shyness, sitting alone, gratitude for the dance, her listening to Marty, being interested in him, the enthusiasm of their conversation? Going home with him, the kiss and her hesitant reaction? Her relationship with Marty's mother, differences of opinion? Her own parents, going home to her father, the loneliness, watching TV? Waiting for Marty to ring, the phone call not coming? The final moments of the film?

10.Marty and his good friend, expectations, Saturday nights in New York, going out, phone calls, his challenge to Marty, Marty challenging him? Marty's reaction against his friend and the decision to ring Clara?

11.Marty's mother, Marty's aunt - highlighting the pain of the Italian mothers being widowed, growing old, not having their house, wanting to cook for their children, having to adapt?

12.Ordinary people, needs, love, social issues, the possibilities in life?