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The Front

Play trailer Poster for The Front PG,  1976,  1h 34m,  Comedy/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 75% 24 Reviews Tomatometer 74% 2,500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
75% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In the 1950s, restaurant cashier Howard Prince (Woody Allen) is apathetic toward the politics around him. When a blacklisted screenwriter (Michael Murphy) asks Howard to sell a script under his own name, Howard sees an opportunity to make a profit and becomes a "front" for several blacklisted writers. But after he witnesses the social destruction of a comedian (Zero Mostel), Howard sees the corruption of McCarthyism and decides to do something to make a difference.

Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Dec 2, 2023
Damned if the subject didn't get the better of Berstein. He didn't develop the comic potential of his idea; instead, almost as if by reflex, he has written one of those scripts about how the common man must become involved, must learn what he stands for. Go to Full Review
Vincent Canby New York Times May 9, 2005
3.5/5
It recreates the awful noise of ignorance that can still be heard. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Oct 23, 2004
2.5/4
The tragedy implied by this character tells us what we need to know about the blacklist's effect on people's lives; the rest of the movie adds almost nothing else. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Jun 13, 2026
3.5/4
Woody's terrific in the film, adding a comic sheen to an otherwise serious examination of the horrors of the Hollywood blacklist in the 1950s. Go to Full Review
Jeff Beck The Blu Spot May 20, 2026
3/5
It starts off with a pretty interesting premise... but it quickly becomes a case of the film just kind of drifting along as Bernstein struggles to find something more to do with the idea. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Apr 2, 2021
3/4
...an effective (and affecting) endeavor. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Feb 1, 2019 The best comedy movie ever made!
George M Dec 29, 2017 One of the few Woody Allen films I've liked. No, this was written by Bernstein & directed by Ritt - so I guess it's just as actor that I like Woody. An dramatic comedy based around the communist scare of the 1950's - with an incredible supporting cast. See more
Han W Nov 29, 2017 Not his best but Allens look at the 50s Hollywood blacklist is an interesting if underwhelming picture.Mostel's my favorite thing about this movie....easily so. See more
Hermione R May 21, 2017 Our history teacher showed this movie on the projector and I thought it was absolutely amazing.
Han W Feb 7, 2012 Really underrated movie, more people need to see it.
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The Front

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Martin Ritt

Director

Woody Allen

Howard Prince

Zero Mostel

Hecky Brown

Herschel Bernardi

Phil Sussman

Michael Murphy

Alfred Miller

Andrea Marcovicci

Florence Barrett

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The Front

The Front (1976) The Front (1976) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1950s, restaurant cashier Howard Prince (Woody Allen) is apathetic toward the politics around him. When a blacklisted screenwriter (Michael Murphy) asks Howard to sell a script under his own name, Howard sees an opportunity to make a profit and becomes a "front" for several blacklisted writers. But after he witnesses the social destruction of a comedian (Zero Mostel), Howard sees the corruption of McCarthyism and decides to do something to make a difference.
Director
Martin Ritt
Producer
Martin Ritt
Screenwriter
Walter Bernstein
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Persky-Bright Productions, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Rollins-Joffe Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 17, 1976, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
1h 34m
Sound Mix
Mono
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