Marty [DVD] [1955]

The ‘Eureka Classics’ edition has the 1955 film starring Ernest Borgnine, plus a bonus feature consisting of the 1953 ‘Philco Television Playhouse’ version which starred Rod Steiger. Admittedly the picture quality is poor in places for the playhouse version, but personally I found it fascinating to watch Rod Steiger playing ‘Marty.’Esther Minciotti, Augusta Ciolli, and Joe Mantell all appeared in the original 1953 teleplay and reprised their roles in the 1955 film. The teleplay also featured a supporting role for Nehemiah Persoff.Ernest Borgnine’s ‘Marty’ is both moving and absorbing, but I have two ‘complaints,’ although the first is just a wish, namely that it finished too soon and I could easily have watched a continuation of the story for another hour or so and would have loved to see ‘Marty’ buy his shop and marry ‘Clara.’ My second complaint is that apparently the original aspect ratio was 1.85:1 whereas here it is only 1.37:1. I am a firm believer that all films and television programmes should be presented in their original aspect ratios, whether square screen or cinemascope and Cinerama.

I've never been a fan of Ernest Borgnine. That's probably because I've only seen him in his later blockbuster film. This is a film I had heard about but kept clear of. Then saw it on Amazon Prime on a night with not much else to watch. 'Marty' deserves the status it has as a classic. The leading roles are played superbly with the subtle twisting of viewers emotions. Borgnine's facial expressions tell more than words and Betsy Blair (who I had not previously heard of previously) says more with her eyes than any amount of shouting or histrionics. The characters are well written and although the story is basically quite simple - especially by today's standards - and you always know where the narrative is heading the leading actors keep you involved. A word to for the supporting cast and their characters who add relief to the building emotional tension while keeping your attention on the screen.

"Gentle but strong" can be applied both to the eponymous hero and to the nature of the movie itself. It made me smile and it made me cry; therefore it deserves four stars, not quite making it to five because, having raised a number of valid issues, including that of Marty's mother feeling understandably anxious about being abandoned, the makers appear to have lost their nerve and opted for a hasty upbeat ending. Nevertheless, I'm glad I watched it.

This is a super love story, beautifully acted by Ernest Borgnine (who won his only Oscar for it) and Betsy Blare.Marty is the oldest of a large Italian/American family and the only one not married, this is not good and everyone tells him so from his mother to the customers in his shop. He is 'fat' and 'ugly' but with a heart of gold.He goes to the rescue of Clara who is left alone at a dance hall when her so called date dumps her. They find they have a lot in common, mostly being overlooked by the opposite sex. For the first time Marty feels joyous about life and his prospects but just as quickly as his emotions soar they are brought back to earth with a bump.If you enjoy old fashioned love stories (An Affair to Remember, The African Queen, Murphy's Romance) you will enjoy Marty. A worthwhile addition to your collection.

It is a nice movie with decent acting, but the end is abrupt and just stops

Brilliant character portrayal. Great observation of both life and a particular time. Some great lessons and some open questions too. Heart warming

Not the most exciting or dramatic film, but a perfectly watchable 1950's story about two lonely soles who end up together. Only about 90 mins long and a simple-to-follow plot.I probably won't watch it again, but I have no regrets to have bought it and seen it once.

Good strong characters that jump off the screen. Your willing this guy to just make a move, get on with it. He listens to opinion and tries to please everyone while not actually thinking about himself, keeps doing the same things and getting the same result. Meets a plain Jane and even then nearly cocks the thing up, untill he comes to his senses. Gentle story big on characters who make the simple story enjoyable.