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Martin Balsam
Actor 1919 - 1996

Martin Balsam

The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Martin Henry Balsam (November 4, 1919 – February 13, 1996) was an American character actor. He is best known for a number of film roles, including detective Milton Arbogast in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960), Arnold Burns in A Thousand Clowns (1965), which earned him the... Read full bio →

Filmography

Every title this person appears in

53 titles
Il silenzio dei prosciutti

Il silenzio dei prosciutti

Ezio Greggio 1994 1h 21m 4.8

Rookie FBI agent Jo Dee Foster has been assigned to work on the case of the Psycho Killer, a psycho killer who has psycho-killed over 120 people. But to learn more about his target, he's forced to meet Dr. Animal Cannibal Pizza, a famous doctor turned cannibal who ate pizzas with human body parts.

La classe américaine

La classe américaine

Michel Hazanavicius, Dominique Mézerette 1993 1h 12m 8.1

Following the death of the world classiest man, George Abitbol, three journalists investigate to try to understand his last words: "Monde de merde!" La Classe Américaine is a montage of scenes taken from the Warner Bros. catalog and dubbed to fit the narration.

The Sands of Time

The Sands of Time

Gary Nelson 1992 1h 36m

Three nuns are caught up in the midst of Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.

Cape Fear

Cape Fear

Martin Scorsese 1991 2h 8m 7.6
Due occhi diabolici

Due occhi diabolici

Dario Argento, George A. Romero 1990 2h 5.8

A duo of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations about a greedy wife's attempt to embezzle her dying husband's fortune, and a sleazy reporter's adoption of a strange black cat.

The Delta Force

The Delta Force

Menahem Golan 1986 2h 9m 4.4

A 707 aircraft jetliner, en route from Athens to Rome and then to New York City, is hijacked by Lebanese terrorists, who demand that the pilot take them to Beirut. What the terrorists don't realize is that an elite team of commandos have been called in to eliminate all terrorists on the jetliner.

St. Elmo's Fire

St. Elmo's Fire

Joel Schumacher 1985 1h 48m 6.9

A Group of friends, just out of college, struggle with adulthood. Their main problem is that they're all self-centered and obnoxious.

Death Wish 3

Death Wish 3

Michael Winner 1985 1h 30m 5.5

Architect/vigilante Paul Kersey arrives back in New York City and is forcibly recruited by a crooked police chief to fight street crime caused by a large gang terrorizing the neighborhoods.

The Salamander

The Salamander

Peter Zinner 1981 1h 43m 6.0

An Italian policeman investigates a series of murders involving people in prominent positions. Left behind at each murder scene is a drawing of a salamander. The policeman begins to suspect these murders are linked to a plot to seize control of the government.

Gardenia il giustiziere della mala (Gardenia)

Gardenia il giustiziere della mala (Gardenia)

Domenico Paolella 1979 1h 40m 6.0

In the city of Rome lives Gardenia, a respected exponent of Roman organized crime.

Cuba

Cuba

Richard Lester 1979 2h 2m 5.0

A British mercenary arrives in pre-Revolution Cuba to help train the corrupt General Batista's army against Castro's guerrillas while he also romances a former lover now married to an unscrupulous plantation owner.

Rainbow

Rainbow

Jackie Cooper, Melville Shavelson 1978 1h 37m 6.0

The early life and struggles of Judy Garland (portrayed by Andrea McArdle), and of the film star's trials as a youngster in dealing with the Movie Studio system that held her back while her mother was forever pushing her to excel.

Occhi dalle stelle

Occhi dalle stelle

Mario Gariazzo 1978 1h 30m 4.0

A photographer and his model are on a photo shoot in a forest when they get the feeling they are being watched. The feeling becomes so strong that they decide to cut their session short and leave. Later, when they develop the photos they took, they discover what looks like alien creatures in the background.

The Sentinel

The Sentinel

Michael Winner 1977 1h 32m 6.5

As a young girl, Alison Parker attempted suicide after being traumatized by her father's sexual exploits. Now an elite fashion model, she moves to a Brooklyn Heights apartment building where she encounters a number of bizarre, eccentric tenants and attempts to uncover the building's sinister secret.

Silver Bears

Silver Bears

Ivan Passer 1977 1h 53m 6.0

Financial wizard "Doc" Fletcher acquires a Swiss bank and a silver mine - alleged to be worth a billion dollars. As rivals close in from all sides, Doc must fight a complex struggle to keep hold of both the bank and the mine.

Diamanti sporchi di sangue

Diamanti sporchi di sangue

Fernando Di Leo 1977 1h 39m 6.5

A man is arrested and condemned to five years in jail for robbery. After serving his term, he is out for revenge on the gang members he considers were to blame for his arrest. The prize for this deadly fight is a large cache of diamonds.

Contract on Cherry Street

Contract on Cherry Street

William A. Graham 1977 2h 25m 5.0

After his partner is killed, NYC detective Frank Hovannes and his organized-crime squad go against the mob, despite strong objections from his superiors and the legal departmental restrictions that hinder him.

Two-Minute Warning

Two-Minute Warning

Larry Peerce 1976 1h 55m 6.8
Raid on Entebbe

Raid on Entebbe

Irvin Kershner 1976 2h 25m 7.0

True story of a daring Israeli commando assault on the Entebbe Airport in Uganda to free hostages of a terrorist hijacking.

Pronto ad uccidere

Pronto ad uccidere

Franco Prosperi 1976 1h 34m 6.0

An undercover cop goes to jail to infiltrate a gang and uses his assignment to get revenge.

Con la rabbia agli occhi

Con la rabbia agli occhi

Antonio Margheriti 1976 1h 38m 5.5

A retired hitman decides to take one last job to avenge the murder of his brother by a mafia gang. An eager would-be mobster helps him.

All the President's Men

All the President's Men

Alan J. Pakula 1976 2h 18m 8.0

All the President’s Men is a political thriller from director Alan J. Pakula based on the Watergate scandal and starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.

Corruzione al palazzo di giustizia

Corruzione al palazzo di giustizia

Marcello Aliprandi 1975 1h 40m

During an inquest, an ambitious judge finds out that a lot of high-rank politicians are corrupt to the core.

Cipolla Colt

Cipolla Colt

Enzo G. Castellari 1975 1h 32m 1.0

Onion Jack (Franco Nero) has bought a piece of land on which to settle, but the property is still in possession of the orphans of the original owner and is coveted by the local oil baron.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Joseph Sargent 1974 1h 45m 7.7

In New York, armed men hijack a subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers. Even if it's paid, how could they get away?

Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express

Sidney Lumet 1974 2h 8m 7.1

In 1935, when his train is stopped by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before.

The Stone Killer

The Stone Killer

Michael Winner 1973 1h 35m 6.0

A Los Angeles detective is sent to New York where he must solve a case involving an old Sicilian Mafia family feud.

Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams

Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams

Gilbert Cates 1973 1h 33m

Rita, a middle aged New York City homemaker, finds herself in an emotional crisis which forces her to re-examine her life, as well as her relationships with her mother, her eye doctor husband, her alienated daughter and estranged son.

Il consigliori

Il consigliori

Alberto De Martino 1973 1h 44m 5.5

When the godson of San Francisco's crime lord asks permission to leave "the business," Don Antonio agrees, but reluctantly. Such behavior by either one is a violation of the code, and a bloody mob war breaks out.

Imputazione di omicidio per uno studente

Imputazione di omicidio per uno studente

Mauro Bolognini 1972 1h 39m

During a clash between demonstrating laborers, a policeman and a student are both killed. In charge of the case are a magistrate and two commissioners.

The Anderson Tapes

The Anderson Tapes

Sidney Lumet 1971 1h 39m 6.0

A career criminal goes for one last big score... but are the police on to him?

Confessione di un commissario di polizia al procuratore della repubblica

Confessione di un commissario di polizia al procuratore della repubblica

Damiano Damiani 1971 1h 41m 6.0

A police captain arranges the release of a criminally insane prisoner, who soon winds up dead. When the District Attorney takes on the case, he uncovers corruption in the department and vows to take down the man who's responsible.

Tora! Tora! Tora!

Tora! Tora! Tora!

Toshio Masuda, Kinji Fukasaku 1970 2h 24m 7.6

In the summer of 1941, the United States and Japan seem on the brink of war after constant embargos and failed diplomacy come to no end. "Tora! Tora!

Little Big Man

Little Big Man

Arthur Penn 1970 2h 19m 8.2

Jack Crabb, looking back from extreme old age, tells of his life being raised by Indians and fighting with General Custer.

Catch-22

Catch-22

Mike Nichols 1970 2h 1m 6.6

A bombardier in World War II tries desperately to escape the insanity of the war. However, sometimes insanity is the only sane way cope with a crazy situation. Catch-22 is a parody of a "military mentality" and of a bureaucratic society in general.

The Good Guys and the Bad Guys

The Good Guys and the Bad Guys

Burt Kennedy 1969 1h 31m 4.0

An aging lawman and an aging outlaw join forces when their respective positions in society are usurped by a younger, but incompetent Marshal, and a younger, but vicious gang leader.

Me, Natalie

Me, Natalie

Fred Coe 1969 1h 51m

Since she was a child, Natalie Miller has always thought she was an ugly ducking. Despite her mother's encouragement that she will grow up to be pretty, Natalie has never believed it will happen. She runs away to Greenwich Village to find herself and discovers a vibrant bohemian counterculture.

Hombre

Hombre

Martin Ritt 1967 1h 51m 7.8

John Russell, disdained by his "respectable" fellow stagecoach passengers because he was raised by Indians, becomes their only hope for survival when they are set upon by outlaws.

Caccia alla volpe

Caccia alla volpe

Vittorio De Sica 1966 1h 48m 4.0

The Fox (Peter Sellers) a criminal mastermind pretends to be a director making a film in order to smuggle in to Italy a stolen gold shipment.

The Bedford Incident

The Bedford Incident

James B. Harris 1965 1h 42m

During a routine patrol, a reporter is given permission to interview a hardened cold-war warrior and captain of the American destroyer USS Bedford. The reporter gets more than he bargained for when the Bedford discovers a Soviet sub and the captain begins a relentless pursuit, pushing his crew to breaking point.

Harlow

Harlow

Gordon Douglas 1965 2h 5m 6.0

Hollywood drama loosely based on the life of film actress Jean Harlow, with Carroll Baker in the title role. One of two feature film biographies, both released in 1965 and both with the same title, about the '30s platinum blonde movie star.

A Thousand Clowns

A Thousand Clowns

Fred Coe 1965 1h 58m

Twelve-year-old Nick lives with his Uncle Murray, a Mr.Micawber-like Dickensian character who keeps hoping something won't turn up. What turns up is a social worker, who falls in love with Murray and a bit in love with Nick.

The Carpetbaggers

The Carpetbaggers

Edward Dmytryk 1964 2h 30m 6.0

Jonas Cord is a disagreeable young tycoon who's building planes, directing films, and catting around on the corporate make in 1930s Hollywood.

Seven Days in May

Seven Days in May

John Frankenheimer 1964 1h 58m 7.0

An aide discovers his general's Pentagon plot and tells the president.

Cape Fear

Cape Fear

J. Lee Thompson 1962 1h 46m 8.4

A lawyer's family is stalked by a man he once helped put in jail.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Blake Edwards 1961 1h 55m 8.3

fortune hunter Holly Golightly finds herself captivated by aspiring writer Paul Varjak, who's moved into her building on a wealthy woman's dime. As romance blooms between Paul and Holly, Doc Golightly shows up on the scene, revealing Holly's past.

Tutti a casa

Tutti a casa

Luigi Comencini 1960 1h 57m 8.5

Everybody Go Home (Italian: Tutti a casa) is a 1960 Italian film directed by Luigi Comencini. It features an international cast including the U.S. actors Martin Balsam, Alex Nicol and the Franco-Italian Serge Reggiani. Nino Manfredi was rejected for the starring role because Alberto Sordi wanted it.

Psycho

Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock 1960 1h 49m 8.7

Psycho is one of the most famous masterpieces from Hitchcock and for it’s time was unparalleled in it’s horror effect. A chilling score sets the pace for an introverted killer and a mystery thriller case of multiple dimensions. The credits for the film directed by Saul Bass were revolutionary for their time.

Al Capone

Al Capone

Richard Wilson 1959 1h 44m 7.0

In this unusually accurate biography, small-time hood Al Capone comes to Chicago at the dawn of Prohibition to be the bodyguard of racketeer Johnny Torrio. Capone's rise in Chicago gangdom is followed through murder, extortion, and political fraud.

Marjorie Morningstar

Marjorie Morningstar

Irving Rapper 1958 2h 3m 6.0

While working as a counselor at a summer camp, college-student Marjorie Morgenstern falls for 32-year-old Noel Airman, a would-be dramatist working at a nearby summer theater.

12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men

Sidney Lumet 1957 1h 37m 9.2

12 Angry Men is the 1957 film debut for director Sidney Lumet. An interpretion from a Broadway show, this film is about 12 jurors who must decide whether an 18-year-old is guilty of killing his father.

On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront

Elia Kazan 1954 1h 48m 8.4

On the Waterfront is a social criticism gangster film from director Elia Kazan, about an ex-boxer, who is part of the corruption of the trade unions for the men working on the waterfront in New York. A film about mob violence that won eight Academy Awards.

Winged Victory

Winged Victory

George Cukor 1944 2h 10m

Pinky Scariano, Allan Ross, and Frankie Davis all join the Army Air Forces with hopes of becoming pilots. In training, they meet and become pals with Bobby Grills and Irving Miller, and the five struggle through the rigid training and grueling tests involved in becoming pilots. Not all of them succeed, and tragedy awaits for some.

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