Not As A Stranger (1954) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

"Gentlemen, this is a corpse. " - Charles Bickford (as Dr. Dave Runkelman in 'Not as a Stranger')

'Not as a Stranger' is a 1954 medical drama starring Olivia de Havilland, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Grahame, Broderick Crawford and Charles Bickford with Lon Chaney Jr., Lee Marvin, Harry Morgan and Mae Clarke. The melodrama was directed and produced by Stanley Kramer, with it's screenplay written by Edna and Edward Anhalt based on the novel by Morton Thompson.

'Not as a Stranger' follows a group of medical students throughout their career from their medical studies, hospital internships and eventually as physicians. Lucas Marsh (played by Mitchum) is obsessed with becoming a doctor. His medical career is put into jeopardy after his father (played by Chaney) gambles the money Lucas was left by his mother. To sponsor his medical career Lucas married wealthy older woman Kristina Hadvigson (played by de Havilland).  Throughout the film, Lucas' obsession for perfection and success causes pain and and happiness for those around him.

An outdated film with relevant themes

'Not as a Stranger' is a product of it's time with some very obvious references to the 1950s including:

• An all-male medical class, with no female students
• All doctors in the film are male, and all nurses in the film are female
• Doctors and nurses openly smoking inside the hospital

Despite these outdated events, many of the central themes to the film are still relevant today, including loveless marriage into wealth for material gain, marital infidelity, father-son conflict due to alcoholism, internal drive for perfectionism and success.

Did you know...

• This was one of the first times a real human heart was shown in a film during an open-heart surgery scene
• This was Stanley Kramer's directorial debut
• In preparation for their roles, Olivia de Havilland and Robert Mitchum attended a number of operations - Broderick Crawford even attended an autopsy

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Recording
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actor (Frank Sinatra)
• National Board of Review Award winner for Best Supporting Actor (Charles Bickford)

Closing remarks

A very made and entertaining drama, albeit very long. 'Not as a Stranger' features fine dramatic performances by Mitcham, de Havilland and Sinatra. What I like about this film is unlike many other medical dramas, 'Not as a Stranger' is essentially a character study focusing primarily on the lives and relationships of the principle characters. The hospital and medical subplot as a backdrop to complete the story.

 You can watch the complete film on YouTube here: 

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

"Maggie the Cat is alive! I'm alive!" - Elizabeth Taylor (as Maggie in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof')

'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is a 1958 drama directed by Richard Brooks and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burt Ives, Judith Anderson, Jack Carson and Madeleine Sherwood.

Based on the Pulitzer prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, it became one of the biggest box office hits of 1958.

Brick Pillitt is a former football player who breaks his ankle after he jumps hurdles under the influence of alcohol. As a result, Brick spends the rest of the film on a crutch. The next day, Brick and his wife Maggie (played by Taylor) visit Brick's family home for the 65th birthday of his father, Big Daddy (played by Ives). Also visiting are Brick's brother Gooper (played by Carson), his wife Mae (played by Sherwood) and their five bratty children. 

Watch the trailer:

Key relationships

The basic premise of the film is an in-depth examination of key relationships among the various family members. I will comment on the two key relationships, Maggie & Brick, and Brick & Big Daddy.

Firstly, the troubled relationship between husband and wife, Brick and Maggie. Brick's recently deceased best friend Skipper is also an important part of this relationship bringing about a love triangle. Tied into this relationship are the themes of sexual desire, and sexual repression. Maggie is desperate for Brick to make love to her, but Brick does not show any interest. Maggie is confused about what Brick's issue is, "Where did I fail you? Where did I make my mistake?" Although the couple live together, Maggie does not feel it. She tells Brick,"I'm not living with you! We occupy the same cage that's all!" 

Secondly, we have the detached relationship between Brick and his father. From the beginning of the film, we get a sense of some tension, but we don't know exactly what this is. Once we see Big Daddy and Brick talking in the cellar, Big Daddy asks Brick what he never gave him, to which Brick replies: "You can't buy love."

Key themes

Paul Newman & Elizabeth Taylor in an early
scene in the film

Key themes in the film include greed and death.

The film explores greed, and in particular family greed, with Gooper and Mae who use their five children and crawling tactics to scheme and take the family inheritance. Maggie fights back and tries to protect her husband's inheritance by lying she is pregnant.

The film also explores the concept of death, and the way in which the characters face death, particularly Big Daddy. At the start of the film, we learn Big Daddy has been sent away due to ill health. When he returns, we are told he has fully recovered. Shortly after, we learn the doctor had lied to Big Daddy, and he is in fact going to die. Once Big Daddy discovers the truth, we travel with him on his emotional response journey from denial, resistance, exploration to acceptance of his inevitable fate. Big Daddy even says to Brick: "I've got the guts to die. What I want to know is, have you got the guts to live?"

Censored for the screen

Tennessee Williams was angered by the way in which the strict Hays Production Code forced changes to his original play.  A notable component was the way in which the film adaptation limits Brick's sexual desire for Skipper, and removes the original play's critique on homophobia and sexism.

Did you know...

• Burt Ives and Madeleine Sherwood reprise the roles they created on Broadway
• Ben Gazzara played the role of Brick on Broadway, but turned down the role in the film
• Don Murray was considered for the role of Brick
• Elvis Presley turned down the role of Brick
• Grace Kelly & Lana Turner were considered for the role of Maggie
• George Cukor turned the chance to direct this film
• Playwright Tennessee Williams disliked the film adaptation so much, he told people waiting to see the film to go home 
• Due to a musicians union strike, the film lacks a traditional music score composed specifically for the film - instead the music score features pre-recorded pieces of music from the MGM music library, much of which was composed for the film 'Tension' (1949)
• The film was originally meant to be filmed in black and white, however director Brooks insisted the film be in colour due to Elizabeth Taylor's violet coloured eyes, and Paul Newman's blue eyes
• Burt Ives (who plays Big Daddy) was only one year older than Jack Carson, who plays his eldest son, and 16 years older than Paul Newman, who plays his youngest son

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Paul Newman)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actress (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director
• Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, screenplay based on another medium
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film from any Source
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actor (Paul Newman)
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actress (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Directors Guide of America nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
• Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture - Drama
• Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Director
• Golden Lauren award for Top Female Dramatic Performance (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Golden Lauren nomination for Top Male Dramatic Performance (Paul Newman)
• National Board of Review Award winner for Top Ten Films
• Writer's Guild of America Award nomination for Best Written American Drama

Closing remarks

'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is one of my favourite dramatic films, and is my favourite Elizabeth Taylor film. I like the way in which the film delves into family relationships and gradually unpacks the catalysts for the relationships throughout the film.

The entire cast delivers fantastic performers. In my opinion this is both the best performances Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman ever delivered. The only bad thing I can say about the acting is Australian actress Judith Anderson, occasionally loosing her accent and saying a few words here and there in an Australian accent. This may appear more obvious to me, as I am Australian, but other than, she does a great job.

I would consider 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' to be co-best film of 1958 with the MGM musical 'Gigi', which won the Best Picture Oscar (and is my second favourite film).

Anna Christie (1930) - Star of the month... Greta Garbo

"Give me a whisky, ginger ale on the side, and don't be stingy, baby." - Greta Garbo (as Anna Christie in 'Anna Christie')

'Anna Christie' is a 1930 drama directed by Clarence Brown and starring Greta Garbo, Charles Bickford, Marie Dressler and George F. Marion.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway play by Eugene O'Neill, the film is notable for being Greta Garbo's first sound film, with Garbo's first talking lines 16 mins into the film. 


Anna Christie (played by Garbo) returns home and is reunited with her sailor father Chris (played by O'Neill) who she has not seen in many years. Anna rescues and falls in love with another sailor, Matt Burke (played by Bickford), but neglects to tell him about her past career as a prostitute.


Watch Greta Garbo talk on film for the first time:

Pre-code

'Anna Christie' is considered to be a "pre-code film", meaning it was released prior to the introduction of the strict Hollywood production code in 1934.  It would have been difficult for 'Anna Christie' to have been filmed after the introduction of the code, due to the subplot of Anna being a prostitute. 

Father-daughter relationship

In the film, we find out Chris was forced to give up Anna as a result of his being a sailor. Although Anna and Chris' relationship improves throughout the film, Anna has some hostility and resentment towards her father.

Did you know...

• MGM also released a silent version of this film with subtitles
• Greta Garbo filmed a German version of 'Anna Christie' immediately after filming was completed on this film - the German version was directed by Jacques Feyder and features a different supporting cast
• George F. Marion (as Chris) and James T. Mack (as Johnny) originated their roles in the original Broadway production in 1921
• George F. Marion previously starred as Chris in the silent film version of 'Anna Christie'

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Actress (Greta Garbo)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director (Clarence Brown)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography (William H. Daniels)

Closing remarks

Despite it's historical significance of being Greta Garbo's first talking film, it is a rather dull and boring film to watch. Garbo's acting is awful and George G. Marion's broken English is annoying. The good news is Marie Dressler, fantastic as always as drunk Marthy. Overall, I found the German version to be far superior.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) - Spotlight on... On the Edge!

"Maggie the Cat is alive! I'm alive!" - Elizabeth Taylor (as Maggie in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof')

'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is a 1958 drama directed by Richard Brooks and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burt Ives, Judith Anderson, Jack Carson and Madeleine Sherwood.

Based on the Pulitzer prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, it became one of the biggest box office hits of 1958.

Brick Pillitt is a former football player who breaks his ankle after he jumps hurdles under the influence of alcohol. As a result, Brick spends the rest of the film on a crutch. The next day, Brick and his wife Maggie (played by Taylor) visit Brick's family home for the 65th birthday of his father, Big Daddy (played by Ives). Also visiting are Brick's brother Gooper (played by Carson), his wife Mae (played by Sherwood) and their five bratty children. 

Watch the trailer:

Key relationships

The basic premise of the film is an in-depth examination of key relationships among the various family members. I will comment on the two key relationships, Maggie & Brick, and Brick & Big Daddy.

Firstly, the troubled relationship between husband and wife, Brick and Maggie. Brick's recently deceased best friend Skipper is also an important part of this relationship bringing about a love triangle. Tied into this relationship are the themes of sexual desire, and sexual repression. Maggie is desperate for Brick to make love to her, but Brick does not show any interest. Maggie is confused about what Brick's issue is, "Where did I fail you? Where did I make my mistake?" Although the couple live together, Maggie does not feel it. She tells Brick,"I'm not living with you! We occupy the same cage that's all!" 

Secondly, we have the detached relationship between Brick and his father. From the beginning of the film, we get a sense of some tension, but we don't know exactly what this is. Once we see Big Daddy and Brick talking in the cellar, Big Daddy asks Brick what he never gave him, to which Brick replies: "You can't buy love."

Key themes

Paul Newman & Elizabeth Taylor in an early
scene in the film

Key themes in the film include greed and death.

The film explores greed, and in particular family greed, with Gooper and Mae who use their five children and crawling tactics to scheme and take the family inheritance. Maggie fights back and tries to protect her husband's inheritance by lying she is pregnant.

The film also explores the concept of death, and the way in which the characters face death, particularly Big Daddy. At the start of the film, we learn Big Daddy has been sent away due to ill health. When he returns, we are told he has fully recovered. Shortly after, we learn the doctor had lied to Big Daddy, and he is in fact going to die. Once Big Daddy discovers the truth, we travel with him on his emotional response journey from denial, resistance, exploration to acceptance of his inevitable fate. Big Daddy even says to Brick: "I've got the guts to die. What I want to know is, have you got the guts to live?"

Censored for the screen

Tennessee Williams was angered by the way in which the strict Hays Production Code forced changes to his original play.  A notable component was the way in which the film adaptation limits Brick's sexual desire for Skipper, and removes the original play's critique on homophobia and sexism.

Did you know...

• Burt Ives and Madeleine Sherwood reprise the roles they created on Broadway
• Ben Gazzara played the role of Brick on Broadway, but turned down the role in the film
• Don Murray was considered for the role of Brick
• Elvis Presley turned down the role of Brick
• Grace Kelly & Lana Turner were considered for the role of Maggie
• George Cukor turned the chance to direct this film
• Playwright Tennessee Williams disliked the film adaptation so much, he told people waiting to see the film to go home 
• Due to a musicians union strike, the film lacks a traditional music score composed specifically for the film - instead the music score features pre-recorded pieces of music from the MGM music library, much of which was composed for the film 'Tension' (1949)
• The film was originally meant to be filmed in black and white, however director Brooks insisted the film be in colour due to Elizabeth Taylor's violet coloured eyes, and Paul Newman's blue eyes
• Burt Ives (who plays Big Daddy) was only one year older than Jack Carson, who plays his eldest son, and 16 years older than Paul Newman, who plays his youngest son

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Paul Newman)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actress (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director
• Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, screenplay based on another medium
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film from any Source
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actor (Paul Newman)
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actress (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Directors Guide of America nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
• Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture - Drama
• Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture Director
• Golden Lauren award for Top Female Dramatic Performance (Elizabeth Taylor)
• Golden Lauren nomination for Top Male Dramatic Performance (Paul Newman)
• National Board of Review Award winner for Top Ten Films
• Writer's Guild of America Award nomination for Best Written American Drama

Closing remarks

'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is one of my favourite dramatic films, and is my favourite Elizabeth Taylor film. I like the way in which the film delves into family relationships and gradually unpacks the catalysts for the relationships throughout the film.

The entire cast delivers fantastic performers. In my opinion this is both the best performances Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman ever delivered. The only bad thing I can say about the acting is Australian actress Judith Anderson, occasionally loosing her accent and saying a few words here and there in an Australian accent. This may appear more obvious to me, as I am Australian, but other than, she does a great job.

I would consider 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' to be co-best film of 1958 with the MGM musical 'Gigi', which won the Best Picture Oscar (and is my second favourite film).

Not As A Stranger (1954) - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"Gentlemen, this is a corpse. " - Charles Bickford (as Dr. Dave Runkelman in 'Not as a Stranger')




'Not as a Stranger' is a 1954 medical drama starring Olivia de Havilland, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Grahame, Broderick Crawford and Charles Bickford with Lon Chaney Jr., Lee Marvin, Harry Morgan and Mae Clarke. The melodrama was directed and produced by Stanley Kramer, with it's screenplay written by Edna and Edward Anhalt based on the novel by Morton Thompson.


'Not as a Stranger' follows a group of medical students throughout their career from their medical studies, hospital internships and eventually as physicians. Lucas Marsh (played by Mitchum) is obsessed with becoming a doctor. His medical career is put into jeopardy after his father (played by Chaney) gambles the money Lucas was left by his mother. To sponsor his medical career Lucas married wealthy older woman Kristina Hadvigson (played by de Havilland).  Throughout the film, Lucas' obsession for perfection and success causes pain and and happiness for those around him.

An outdated film with relevant themes

'Not as a Stranger' is a product of it's time with some very obvious references to the 1950s including:

• An all-male medical class, with no female students
• All doctors in the film are male, and all nurses in the film are female
• Doctors and nurses openly smoking inside the hospital

Despite these outdated events, many of the central themes to the film are still relevant today, including loveless marriage into wealth for material gain, marital infidelity, father-son conflict due to alcoholism, internal drive for perfectionism and success.

Did you know...

• This was one of the first times a real human heart was shown in a film during an open-heart surgery scene
• This was Stanley Kramer's directorial debut
• In preparation for their roles, Olivia de Havilland and Robert Mitchum attended a number of operations - Broderick Crawford even attended an autopsy

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Recording
• BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Actor (Frank Sinatra)
• National Board of Review Award winner for Best Supporting Actor (Charles Bickford)

Closing remarks

A very made and entertaining drama, albeit very long. 'Not as a Stranger' features fine dramatic performances by Mitcham, de Havilland and Sinatra. What I like about this film is unlike many other medical dramas, 'Not as a Stranger' is essentially a character study focusing primarily on the lives and relationships of the principle characters. The hospital and medical subplot as a backdrop to complete the story.


 You can watch the complete film on YouTube here: 

The Heiress - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"The Heiress" is a 1945 drama directed by William Wyler and starring Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Ralph Richardson and Miriam Hopkins.

Montgomery Clift and Olivia de Havilland as
Morris Townsend and Catherine Sloper

In 1996, the film was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".


'The Heiress' is based on the play by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, who also wrote the film's screenplay. The play was based on the 1880 novel 'Washington Square' by Henry James.


Naive and shy Catherine Sloper (played by  de Havilland) falls for charming Morris Townsend (played by Clift). Catherine's father, Dr. Sloper (played by Richardson) does not like Townsend, and feels he is interested in Catherine for her inheritance. Despite Dr. Sloper's decision to disinherit Catherine, she decides to elope with Townsend. 

An impersonating trio

I saw Australian film critic Bill Collins present 'The Heiress' on television a few weeks ago, and he explained a concept which I found fascinating.


Catherine is a victim of an impersonating trio:
 - Dr. Austin Sloper (Catherine's father), "a harsh and relentless father impersonating a concerned, loving parent"
- Morris Townsend (Catherine's fiancee) "a fortune hunter impersonating a sincere lover"
- Miriam Hopkins (Catherine's aunt) "a flibbity-jibbant aunt impersonating  a reliable confidante"


When you think about this concept as you watch the film, it distorts your perception of what is taking place, and makes for a emotionally disturbing spectator experience. 

Did you know...

• Olivia de Havilland saw a performance of the play, and aspired to play Catherine
• Olivia de Havilland requested William Wyler direct this film
• Ralph Richardson reprises the role he played on the West End
• Betty Linley reposed the role of Mrs. Montgomery, which she played in the original Broadway production
• Wendy Hiller played the role of Catherine on the original Broadway production, with Peggy Ashcroft playing the role on the West End
• Errol Flynn was originally considered for the role of Morris Townsend, which would have been Olivia and Errol's ninth film together
• Basil Rathbone played the role of Dr. Sloper on Broadway
• Ginger Rogers was first offered the role of Catherine, but turned it down

Awards and nominations

Olivia de Havilland clutches the Oscar she
won for her performance in 'The Heiress'

• Academy Award winner for Best Actress (Olivia de Havilland)
• Academy Award winner for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration in a black and white film
• Academy Award winner for Best Costume Design in a black and white film
• Academy Award winner for Best Music Score
• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director
• Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Ralph Richardson)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography in a black and white film
• Golden Globe Award winner for Best Actress - Motion Picture (Olivia de Havilland)
• Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture (Miriam Hopkins)
• Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Director - Motion Picture
• National Board of Review Award winner for Best Actor (Ralph Richardson)
• New York Film Critics Circle Award winner for Best Actress (Olivia de Havilland)
• Writers Guild of America Awards nomination for Best Written American Drama

Closing remarks

"The Heiress" is a very powerful and compelling film with brilliant performances by all four principle actors.  The brilliant art direction by Harry Horner adds to the film's beauty, particularly the elegant and extravagant staircase. As the Heiress, Olivia de Havilland delivers a remarkable performance, deservedly winning her second and final Oscar.

Libel - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

Libel is a 1959 British drama directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Dirk Bogarde, Olivia de Havilland, Paul Massie, Wilfred Hyde-White and Robert Morely. 


The film is based on the 1935 play of the same name by Edward Wooll, with the screenplay written by Anatole d Grunwald and Karl Tunberg.


While travelling in London, World War II veteran Jeffrey Buckenham (played by Massie) sees Sir. Mark Sebastian Loddon (played by Bogarde) on television, giving a tour of his home with his wife Lady Margaret Loddon (played by de Havilland).  While watching the program, Buckenham recognises Loddon from his days in a German prison, and is convinced he is really another man Frank Wellney (another former prisoner), and is impersonating Loddon.  Buckenham provides this information to the press, where it is front page news. In response to this, Loddon sues Buckenham for libel (defamation). During the court case, Loddon finds it extremely difficult to prove he is really Loddon, to a point where even his wife begins to doubt him.

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Sound

Closing remarks

Although the film begins rather slow, it does pick up in a gripping courtroom drama that leaves you guessing whether the protagonist is Buckenham or Wellney. Bogarde and de Havilland aren't bad, although this isn't one of their best performances. Robert Morely and Wilfred Hyde-White are both fantastic as alway as the two lawyers on opposite sides of the case.

To Each His Own - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"We don't judge each other you and I, we love each other."


'To Each His Own' is a 1946 drama directed by Mitchell Leisen, and starring Olivia de Havilland with Mary Anderson, Roland Culver and John Lund in his first film.

John Lund and Olivia de Havilland
as the young lover

After Josephine "Jody" Norris (played by de Havilland) meets US Army pilot Captain Bart Cosgrove (played by Lund), the pair fall in love and spend a night together. Tragically Bart's plane is shot down and he is killed just as Jody finds out she is pregnant. 


She secretly gives birth to the baby, and plots an idea to enable her to innocently "adopt" the baby without scandal. In a bizarre twist of fate her plan backfires when a friend of hers looses her own newborn baby the same day, and adopts Jody's baby for her own.


The 20 year year saga is told by an ageing middle aged Jody through flashback.

Did you know...

• Lewis Allen was originally meant to direct the film, however Olivia de Havilland didn't feel he was right for the film, and requested Mitchell Leisen direct
• This was John Lund's first film
• Ginger Rogers declined the role of Josephine, and later regretted it when Olivia de Havilland won the Best Actress Academy Award
• Roland Culver's first film he made in America

Awards and nominations...

• Academy Award winner for Best Actress (Olivia de Haviland)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Original Story

Closing remarks

After years of fighting Warner Bros, Olivia finally got the great dramatic role she always wanted with Paramount. Olivia wins a much deserved Oscar for Best Actress in this, her best dramatic performance, in one of her best films. 


The make up and lighting effects add to the thirty year saga, causing de Havilland to look older and older throughout the film. 


"To Each His Own" is a wonderful film which I like very much. I am still baffled why this film has not yet been released on DVD. Although I have seen it three times now, the film's final scene is still an overwhelmingly emotional experience. 

Marty - fliXposed remembers... Ernest Borgnine

fliXposed remembers... Ernest Borgnine

I was very saddened to the hear of the death of screen legend Ernest Borgnine earlier this week.


Ernest Borgnine was born on 24 January 1917, and was the only child of immigrant parents from Northern Italy. Following the separation of his parents, Borgnine lived with his mother in Italy as a child, and returned to the US when he was 5. 


After some service in the army, his mother suggested he could be a great actor, which led to Borgnine enrolling in the Randall School of Drama in Hartford.


He enjoyed a prolific career with both films and in TV shows such as "McHale's Navy" and most recently in "SpongeBob Squarepants". Borgnine won the Best Actor Academy Award for his role in 'Marty' (1955).




Borgnine passed away on Sunday 8 July at age 95.




fliXposed pays tribute to the life and career of Ernest Borgnine with a special blog on one of his greatest films, 'Marty'.

Recommended viewing:

• From Here to Eternity (1953)
• Bad Day at Black Rock (1954)
• Marty (1955)
• The Catered Affair (1956)
• Torpedo Run (1958)
• Pay or Die (1960)
• McHale's Navy (1962-1966) (TV SERIES)
• The Dirty Dozen (1967)
• Ice Station Zebra (1968)
• The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968)
• The Wild Bunch (1969)
• Bunny O'Hare (1971)
• The Poseidon Adventure (1973)
• Spongebob Squarepants (1999-2012) (TV SERIES)

Marty (1955)

"You don't like her. My mother don't like her. She's a dog and I'm a fat, ugly man." - Ernest Borgnine (as Marty Piletti in 'Marty')


'Marty' is a 1955 drama directed by Delbert Mann, and starring Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair. The film is based on a 1953 teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky.


In 1994, 'Marty' was selected for preservation in the National Film Library by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Marty Piletti (played by Borgnine) is a 34 year old unmarried Italian-American butcher, living in The Bronx, New York. Marty is the last of this brothers and sisters to not yet be married.  Although warm hearted, Marty lacks social skills, and is constantly being pushed to get married and children by his mother, cousin and family friends.  After being harassed by his mother to go out one night, Marty meets schoolteacher Clara (played by Blair).


Marty's auntie warns his mother that once Marty is married, she will be abandoned and be alone for the rest of her life. This leads Marty's mother to treat Clara badly. Marty's unmarried friends become jealous Clara, and try to convince Marty he should remain a bachelor like them.


Marty is forced to choose between his mother and friends, and the girl he loves. 

Did you know...

• Ernest Borgnine received $5000 for his role as Marty Piletti, and in his later years said: "I would have done it for nothing".
• Nancy Marchand, who played the role of Clara in the TV version, was originally meant to play Clara in this film, however Betsy Blair (who was married to actor Gene Kelly at the time) wanted the role - Gene Kelly lobbied for his wife and even threatened to pull out of the film 'It's Always Fair Weather', if Blair was not given the role of Clara
• Jerry Orbach made his film debut in this film as an uncredited ballroom guest
• The film was remade in 1991 as 'Only The Lonely'

Awards and nominations...

Receiving the Best Actor Academy Award in 1955
for his role in 'Marty', from Grace Kelly

• Academy Award winner for Best Picture
• Academy Award winner for Best Actor (Ernest Borgnine)
• Academy Award winner for Best Director
• Academy Award winner for Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay
• Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Joe Mantell)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Betsy Blair)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration for a black and white film
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography, for a black and white film
• BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actor (Ernest Borgnine)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama (Ernest Borgnine)
• Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner
• National Board of Review Award for Best Actor (Ernest Borgnine)
• New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor (Ernest Borgnine)

Closing remarks

I first saw 'Marty' when I was about 15 years old. After finding out I enjoyed classic movies, one of my mother's cousin's recommended 'Marty'. I remember watching it, and thinking, "this film is okay, but it's not as great as I expected." I re-watched it again recently as a 28 year old unmarried Italian, and the film made much more sense. This film will resonate with unmarried European in their late 20s or early 30s, who will tell you Marty is a real character, in a real situation.