[Quick Summary: Marty the butcher can't get a date to save his life, until one night...]
Paddy Chayefsky was an award winning playwright, tv and film writer for a reason.
He sure knew how to introduce a character with actions instead of words.
The script opens and a female customer peppers Marty the butcher with questions about his brother's recent wedding. Then she basically needles him with "Why aren't YOU married, Marty?"
Marty is polite, but exasperated.
Why? Because the next female customer is exactly the same: "I heard about your brother's wedding. So why aren't YOU married, Marty?"
We get the idea that this happens ALL day long and instantly, we know all about Marty...and he's said very little.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Chayefsky writes beautifully flawed but identifiable characters.
Who's Marty? Marty is me. That awkward situation? I've been there too.
Now that's a great introduction!
Marty (1955)
by Paddy Chayefsky
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