Cinema Revisited: The Front (1976)

Directed by Martin Ritt. Cast: Woody Allen, Zero Mostel, Herschel Bernardi, Michael Murphy, Andrea Marcovicci, Lloyd Gough, David Marguiles, Joshua Shelley, Charles Kimbrough, Danny Aiello. Released October 5, 1976. Running time: 95 minutes.

At the time he agreed to act in Martin Ritt's "The Front," Woody Allen's career was in transition. He had completed his spate of comedy features (now known as the "early funny ones") and wanted to explore more serious subjects. This would happen the following year with his Oscar winning "Annie Hall." So, "The Front," although not directed by Allen, is the cinematic link between his comedy period and those films that had more serious subject matter.

"The Front" deals with blacklisting in show business during the 1950s, specifically early television. Many writers who were providing early TV with is finest dramatic scripts had been either members of the communist party, or interested in progressive politics that were sometimes inaccurately labeled as such. Allen plays Harold Prince, a talentless nebbish working a store clerk, who gets extra money placing bets. He agrees to put his name on scripts from blacklisted writers for 10% of the money. That way, these writers can continue to work and get paid, while Harold acts as their "front," and can pick up money himself. Of course handing in scripts by several top writers, causes Harold to be lauded as an amazing writer who can work on several projects and come up with excellent material. He enjoys a level of wealth and respect he's never experienced, and the attention of a pretty script supervisor.

While Allen is exceptionally good in the role, the film is stolen by Zero Mostel, even though he is playing an extension of himself. As comedian Heckie Brown, Mostel exhibits both a loveable comic sensibility and a tragic quality. Heckie is very popular, but once danced in a Mayday parade and subscribed to The Daily Worker. He is asked to name names, and refuses. He thus loses his career. He tries to play club dates, but discovers the pay is miniscule because club owners realize they an get a big name for little money due to Heckie's mainstream popularity. An emotionally explosive scene between Mostel and Lloyd Gough as a ruthless club owner who stiffs Heckie on pay is especially moving when one realizes, that Zero himself added this scene, it having happened to him in real life when he was blacklisted in the 50s.

Harold Prince is initially reluctant to make waves, as he is enjoying the status and the money his fronting is netting. When he comes under scrutiny, he agrees to testify and just give them names they already know, figuring that will exonerate him and he can continue to enjoy his setup. However, when a despondent Heckie commits suicide, Harold is so overtaken, he realizes the negative impact this is causing, and refuses to cooperate. He ends up with a prison sentence when they attempt to use his past gambling exploits against him. The shot of a despondent Prince standing across the street from where Heckie's funeral is being held, watching Brown's weeping wife and children leaving the synagogue, is only seconds long and contains no dialog, but it might be the finest bit of acting in Woody Allen's career.

The film's director, Martin Ritt, was himself blacklisted, as have many of the cast members, including -- along with Zero Mostel -- Herschel Bernardi, Lloyd Gough, and Joshua Shelley.This obviously allows for special insights to make "The Front" an exceptional look at a very unsettling period in American cultural history.