Written Out of the Story: Issues of Television Authorship, Reception, and Ethnicity in NBC's "Marty"

Abstract

Abstract:This article investigates the 1953 NBC production "Marty" to challenge a long-held bias in television studies. By identifying television as either a "writers' medium" or a "producers' medium," scholars have underestimated the contributions of television directors. This has led to a perspective that emphasizes the narrative and commercial aspects of TV without sufficient regard for television programs' visual styles. Drawing on original interviews and archival resources (including fan letters that recover individual viewing experiences), this article argues that director Delbert Mann contributed to "Marty"'s artistry by linking the representation of Italian Americans with an aesthetic style associated with Italian neorealism.