!-- begin FLOATING1 --
!-- End FLOATING1 --
!-- begin TOP_AD --
!-- End TOP_AD --
Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Front (1976)
The Front
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Front (1976) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 7 | slideshow)

!-- begin TOP_RHS --
!-- End TOP_RHS --

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   2,969 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 10% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Martin Ritt
Writer:
Walter Bernstein (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Front on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 September 1976 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Tagline:
America's Most Unlikely Hero.
Plot:
A cashier poses as a writer for blacklisted talents to submit their work through, but the injustice around him pushes him to take a stand. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
A chat with the cast of Woody Allen's Whatever Works
 (From The Hollywood Interview. 18 June 2009, 11:52 PM, PDT)

Andrea's Still Sure-handed
 (From New York Post. 14 November 2008, 8:48 PM, PST)

User Comments:
A film that looks HUAC straight in the eye and doesn't flinch more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Woody Allen ... Howard Prince
Zero Mostel ... Hecky Brown
Herschel Bernardi ... Phil Sussman

Michael Murphy ... Alfred Miller

Andrea Marcovicci ... Florence Barrett
Remak Ramsay ... Hennessey
Marvin Lichterman ... Myer Prince
Lloyd Gough ... Delaney
David Margulies ... Phelps
Joshua Shelley ... Sam
Norman Rose ... Howard's Attorney
Charles Kimbrough ... Committee Counselor
Josef Sommer ... Committee Chairman (as M. Josef Sommer)

Danny Aiello ... Danny LaGattuta
Georgann Johnson ... T. V. Interviewer
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
95 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White | Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Several people involved in this film were themselves on the McCarthy-era blacklists that it is about: director Martin Ritt; writer Walter Bernstein; and actors Zero Mostel, Herschel Bernardi, Lloyd Gough and Joshua Shelley. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Investigator Hennessey, as his name is spelled in the credits, is shown sitting at his desk on which there is a nameplate which reads Francis K. Hennessy. more
Quotes:
Howard Prince: [to Sam] I - I still don't see why we can't fix it. You know what I me...? Pay somebody off 'cau - 'cause how much cou-could it cost, you know, 'cause they're just Congressmen? more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in I Am Woody (2003) more
Soundtrack:
Young at Heart more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
A film that looks HUAC straight in the eye and doesn't flinch, 2 December 2003
8/10
Author: FilmOtaku (ssampon@hotmail.com) from Milwaukee, WI

The Front tells the story of an average Joe Loser whose friend, a blacklisted television writer asks for his identity so he can continue working. Thus begins not only an acceptable scam, but a personal odyssey for this man, played by Woody Allen. He begins to be become a `front' for other blacklisted writers as well, presenting their material as his own. His evolution is such that while he began to do this mainly for his own profit, he ends up taking a stand on behalf of the blacklisted artists he knows and along the way, finding his own relevance in life.

While starring Woody Allen, the film was directed by Martin Ritt, a blacklisted artist himself. Additionally, it featured a blacklisted writer and several blacklisted actors, including Zero Mostel. There are definite comedic moments in the film, but they are generally limited to a line or the facial expression of a character, therefore I consider this to be a largely dramatic film. (Albeit light drama). Making a comedy about HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) and the Hollywood Blacklist is like offering a comedy about the Salem Witch Trails. Both events involved the destruction of the lives of the victims due to the paranoia and hysteria of their contemporary societies and neither subject is comic fodder.

Of the films centering on HUAC that I have seen, The Front is by far the most representative and most meaningful I have seen to date. The Front is a very important chronicle of a dark period in 20th century history and deserves the many accolades it has received.

--Shelly

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Front (1976)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Front is out on DVD to buy in the UK! weishenme
It's All About Conservatives Attacking Liberals Exorcist666
No Oscar for Zero? lujoc
Were the US government really that paranoid about communism in the 70's? Emanef
hello. cosmo111687
what were the names of the black listed writers cosmo111687
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Way We Were The Majestic The Manchurian Candidate Chris & Don. A Love Story It's Always Fair Weather
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.


!-- begin BOTTOM_AD --
!-- End BOTTOM_AD --