The Front (1976)

In 1953, 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.

Director:

Martin Ritt

Writer:

Walter Bernstein

Stars:

Woody Allen, Zero Mostel, Herschel Bernardi

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

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	...	Francis X. Hennessey
Marvin Lichterman	...	Myer Prince
Lloyd Gough	...	Herbert Delaney
David Margulies	...	William Phelps
Joshua Shelley	...	Sam - Resort Operator
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

Storyline

In the early 1950s Howard Prince, who works in a restaurant, helps out a black-listed writer friend by selling a TV station a script under his own name. The money is useful in paying off gambling debts, so he takes on three more such clients. Howard is politically pretty innocent, but involvement with Florence - who quits TV in disgust over things - and friendship with the show's ex-star - now himself blacklisted - make him start to think about what is really going on.

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Plot Keywords:

huaac | blacklist | hollywood blacklist | man wears eyeglasses | year 1953 | 

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Taglines:

America's Most Unlikely Hero.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

'the front' was certified AA (under 14 year olds not admitted) when first released theatrically in the UK because of one uttered expletive. it's subsequently certified 12 in the UK (expletive included).

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Goofs

When Howard and Florence kiss in the park, the bi-level George Washington Bridge can be seen in the background. In c. 1953 when this movie takes place, the bridge only had one level.

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Quotes

Howard Prince: [to his attorney] 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?

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Crazy Credits

During the credits the people involved with the movie who were blacklisted are listed along with the year they were blacklisted.

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Connections

References Mogambo (1953)

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Soundtracks

Daisy Bell
(uncredited)
Written by Harry Dacre
[played during Old Gold commercial]

User Reviews

" Power in the wrong hands can be as deadly as a gun in the right hands "

Woody Allen has always had the power to make people laugh. However in 1976, he allowed his serious side to shine as he played Howard Prince a down-on-his-luck average guy. The movie, " The Front " tells the story of a simple unemployed man, financially strapped who is asked by Black listed writer Alfred Miller (Michael Murphy) to submit a play to the Television studios, using his own name. With little concern, Howard does and is surprisingly accepted and paid. In time, other writers give him additional plays and for a percentage of their royalties, Howard gets the credit. He is so successful he comes to the attention of HUAC (House on UnAmerican Committee) and is asked to co-operate by revealing names of friends who may be affiliated with communists organizations. One of his friends is comedian is 'Hecky Brown' (Zero Mostel) a likable and struggling comic who tries to stay out of trouble but is threatened, coerced and driven to suicide by the powerful yet nameless shadowy men working for Joseph MaCarthy. Howard Prince is no writer, but he is a man of courage and conviction who exemplifies the courage necessary to combat the malignant evil which can arise when dark powers such as Senator MaCarthy go unchecked. Allen is superb and for his effort has given this movie the status of a social Classic which stands of its own accord. ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1977 (Austria)

Also Known As:

The Front

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Devon/Persky-Bright, Jack Rollins & Charles H. Joffe Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1