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Marty

Play trailer Poster for Marty 1955 1h 31m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 76 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
This acclaimed romantic drama follows the life of Marty Piletti (Ernest Borgnine), a stout bachelor butcher who lives with his mother (Esther Minciotti) in the Bronx. Always unlucky in love, Marty reluctantly goes out to a ballroom one night and meets a nice teacher named Clara (Betsy Blair). Though Marty and Clara hit it off, his relatives discourage him from pursuing the relationship, and he must decide between his family's approval or a shot at finding romance.

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Marty

Marty

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Critics Consensus

Scriptwriter Paddy Chayefsky's solid dialogue is bolstered by strong performances from Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair in this appealingly low-key character study.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard L. Coe Washington Post 08/02/2022
What makes this rare is that it is realistic without being sordid. It records with honest eye, ear and heart a few simple people in their own simple setting and finds life wonderful. Go to Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker 07/28/2022
You have to have considerable tolerance to make it through Chayefsky's repetitive dialogue, his insistence on the humanity of "little" people, and his attempt to create poetry out of humble, drab conversations. Go to Full Review Jean Yothers Orlando Sentinel 10/18/2021
Marty will give you a heartening slice of life, full of honesty and humor. Go to Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily 06/14/2023
Ernest Borgnine delivers a masterful portrayal off a lonely and self-doubting bachelor, whose quest for happiness becomes an endearing exploration. Go to Full Review Edouard de Laurot Film Culture 08/02/2022
Ironically enough, this film, whose intention is clearly to provide insights into a social milieu and its problems, actually encourages an unquestioning conformity in the public through the innocuousness of its presentation. Go to Full Review Peter Canavese Celluloid Dreams 07/24/2022
3.5/4
Classic Paddy Chayefsky script and a charming and interesting examination of people who don't normally get movies devoted to them. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alejandro E @Alex970 Apr 4 What’s wrong with reaching the age of 30 without having got married, or at least been engaged? A simple idea that gave rise to one of the iconic films of the 1950s, and incidentally one of Ernest Borgnine’s most distinctive roles. You simply have to see it, if only out of curiosity. See more Sharon I @Puddles426 Feb 3 My Mother and Father instilled in me the love of movies…especially classics. They always spoke about the movie Marty. I watched this movie with them and loved it ever since. It’s so understated, real, heartbreaking and sincere. The entire cast is amazing and so believable. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 12 Success in 1 hour and 31 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Alain E @AlainE Jun 28 The movie is not very old. It was released in 1955. I am kidding, as that was my birth year. Sadly, I agree with Pauline Kael. Unclear how it accumulated all the awards. But I got some dating tips: when you first meet a woman at a gathering, as an encouragement you tell her “you are not such a dog!” Heavens! 35 minutes is all I could tolerate. See more Mark F @RT37250310 03/22/2025 A sad and sweet little movie about two lonely hearts that have been left on the shelf, finding each other just when they had almost given up hope. The performances are great, and while not the classic that 'It's A Wonderful Life' is, it has the same poignancy while being ultimately uplifting. My only complaint is that the movie is too short at 90 minutes. I felt there was a little more story to tell - did Marty smooth things over with his Mum, did he start his own business, did Clara take the promotion? The movie's ending suggests it all works out as you would hope, but it's too abrupt. See more Ben L @Ptrex 02/14/2025 Fantastic movie..this is Saturday night Fever..1955 style. Incredible..EB is great..the entire cast..and the BRONX..shine! Money in the Bank man… See more Read all reviews
Marty

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Cast & Crew

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Delbert Mann

Director

Ernest Borgnine

Marty Pilletti

Betsy Blair

Clara

Joe Mantell

Angie

Esther Minciotti

Mrs. Pilletti

Augusta Ciolli

Aunt Catherine

Movie Clips

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Marty

Marty: Official Clip - I Got Something Good Here Marty: Official Clip - I Got Something Good Here 1:15 Marty: Official Clip - College Girls Are One Step From the Street Marty: Official Clip - College Girls Are One Step From the Street 2:21 Marty: Official Clip - A Big Night of Heartache Marty: Official Clip - A Big Night of Heartache 2:14 Marty: Official Clip - All I Wanted Was a Lousy Kiss Marty: Official Clip - All I Wanted Was a Lousy Kiss 2:13 Marty: Official Clip - I Have a Feeling About You Marty: Official Clip - I Have a Feeling About You 2:59 Marty: Official Clip - We Ain't Such Dogs Marty: Official Clip - We Ain't Such Dogs 2:10 Marty: Official Clip - I Got Five Bulls Eyes Marty: Official Clip - I Got Five Bulls Eyes 0:56 Marty: Official Clip - A Little Late for a Date Marty: Official Clip - A Little Late for a Date 2:16 Marty: Official Clip - Money in the Bank Marty: Official Clip - Money in the Bank 1:42 Marty: Official Clip - What Do You Feel Like Doin' Tonight? Marty: Official Clip - What Do You Feel Like Doin' Tonight? 1:56 View more videos

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Marty

Marty (1955) Marty (1955) Marty (1955) A scene from the film "Marty." A scene from the film "Marty." A scene from the film "Marty." Pictured left to right: producer Harold Hecht, Mann, cinematographer Joseph LaShelle, art director Edward S. Haworth and actors Betsy Blair and Ernest Borgnine. Ernest Borgnine stars as Marty Pilletti in the drama "Marty." Ernest Borgnine stars as Marty Pilletti in the drama "Marty." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This acclaimed romantic drama follows the life of Marty Piletti (Ernest Borgnine), a stout bachelor butcher who lives with his mother (Esther Minciotti) in the Bronx. Always unlucky in love, Marty reluctantly goes out to a ballroom one night and meets a nice teacher named Clara (Betsy Blair). Though Marty and Clara hit it off, his relatives discourage him from pursuing the relationship, and he must decide between his family's approval or a shot at finding romance.
Director
Delbert Mann
Producer
Harold Hecht
Screenwriter
Paddy Chayefsky, Paddy Chayefsky
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
United Artists
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 21, 1955, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)