IMDb > The Front (1976)
The Front
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The Front (1976) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   3,071 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why 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:
Classic drama, rife with paranoia more (40 total)

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
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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:
This is the last on-screen film project for Zero Mostel. 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:
Florence Barrett: Do you want a drink?
Howard Prince: [Distracted and worried] Yeah, but just a drink.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in I Am Woody (2003) more
Soundtrack:
Anything for a Laugh more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful.
Classic drama, rife with paranoia, 29 June 2006
8/10
Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England

I don't profess to know anything more about 'the McCarthy era' than any other non-American that wasn't around in the fifties, but this film serves as both a great slice of entertainment; and something of a history lesson. The film is said to be a comedy, although it would seem to be played out more for the drama side as aside from Woody Allen's usual neurotic quips; there aren't actually any jokes in the film. That certainly doesn't harm it, however, as Martin Ritt's film has more than enough in reserve, as the story is interesting enough on it's own; and themes of 'the witch-hunt', as well as the idea of being guilty until proved innocent shine through. The story follows Howard Prince (Woody Allen) a cashier who, when asked by his friend who is on the 'blacklist', poses as a TV writer so the blacklisted writer can still work. The film takes place in the time when paranoia over communism was rife in America, and anyone that is suspected of associating with communists was no longer allowed to work. The scam goes on, but the more Prince is dragged into it, the harder it is for him to get out.

Like I say, I didn't know much about the era before going into the film; but I'm sure it's an important part of American history; if only for the fact that it's inspired a lot of great films, including the great original version of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers'. I've been a big fan of Woody Allen ever since I first saw one of his films, and his performance here takes in all the best elements of his persona. The character; a talentless man garnering praise for someone else's work, suits Allen's personality like a glove, as the paranoid actor gets to show us how neurotic he can be. Support comes by way of the likes of Zero Mostel, Michael Murphy and Andrea Marcovicci; and all give nice supporting performances. Director Michael Ritt ensures that the themes of the story are always rife, as the film presents a great sense of foreboding, and scenes such as the one that see an innocent writer told that he can't be got off the hook because he hasn't done anything help to ensure this. On the whole, The Front is a great classic film, and sees Allen in one of his best roles.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Front (1976)
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Movies about the McCarthy Era broombie
The Front is out on DVD to buy in the UK! weishenme
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
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