Set during the McCarthy-era witch-hunts of the early 1950s, when the US government was exposing supposed communists in the entertainment industry, 1976’s The Front was the first film to address the issue, with a cast and crew including individuals who had been blacklisted during that period—including director Martin Ritt, screenwriter Walter Bernstein, and actors Zero Mostel, Herschel Bernardi, and Lloyd Gough—viewers might expect The Front to be more hard hitting than it is.
Woody Allen stars as Howard Prince, a restaurant cashier and small-time bookie at the height of the red scare in the 1950’s. Facing heavy gambling debts, he agrees to a proposal from his blacklisted writer friend from high school named Alfred Miller (Michael Murphy) to put his name on scripts. If sold, Howard would get ten percent of the fee. To sweeten the pot, he gets two other blacklisted writers (David Marguiles and Lloyd Gough) to give him scripts under the same terms.
The problems start when TV producer Phil Sussman (Herschel Bernardi), is so impressed with the scripts that Howard is hailed as a genius. Howard basks in his newfound fame, even beginning a romance with leftist script editor Florence Barrett (Andrea Marcovicci), who loves him because of his apparent intellect. Howard also befriends popular game show host Hecky Brown (Zero Mostel) who is blacklisted because he once marched in a May Day Parade. Desperate to get work, Hecky agrees to spy on Howard. When the House Committee on Un-American Activities calls Howard to testify, the fix is in.
Nominated for an Oscar, Walter Bernstein’s script was criticized by some for lacking political commentary, it may seem oversimplified for anyone with knowledge of the McCarthy era. As someone who wrote their master’s thesis about the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), I agree that The Front doesn’t explore the details of the time, it does provide a basic framework for how those ensnared in the net of McCarthyism were treated, losing their professional lives overnight. In 1976, this was likely the strongest film on the subject that the general public was willing to accept.
In his first dramatic role, Woody Allen proves he can act, going beyond the nebbish, comedic characters in his own work to play a man who evolves from deliberate ignorance to taking a stand for what’s right. Zero Mostel’s Oscar nominated performance as Hecky Brown is both wonderful and heartbreaking, illuminating the human tragedy of the blacklist. Based partly on Mostel’s personal experience, particularly a scene where he shows up to perform at a Catskills resort, only to be cheated out of half his fee because the owner knows Hecky has no choice but to accept it. Sadly, Zero Mostel died just a year after The Front was released, at 62.
Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Sony Pictures has delivered a wonderful 4K presentation. Michael Chapman’s cinematography is a standout here, offering real clarity and texture, amid a pleasing amount of film grain. While there are a few brief instances of softness, the image is largely concise. While the color palette is on the bland side, the added HDR gives the hues appropriate intensity. Blacks are deep and inky throughout. Contrast is pleasing as well.
The DTS-HD MA monaural soundtrack works well for this dialogue heavy film. What little score there is, isn’t particularly dynamic, but fine for this kind of film. Dialogue is clean, clear, and concise throughout.
English, Spanish, and French subtitles are available.
The following extras are included:
- Audio Commentary with Nick Redman, Julie Kirgo, and actress Andrea Marcovicci: Recorded in 2014.
- Theatrical Trailer