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Question
How many years was Zero Mostel blacklisted by Hollywood for?
Dear Magnus: A successful nightclub and Broadway stage performer, Mostel made his movie debut in 1943 (in "Dubarry Was a Lady"). He was on track to do well in the movies, performing in several films from 1950-1951. His last film prior to blacklisting was "The Model and the Marriage Broker," released in Jan. 1952. Called up before HUAC, Mostel pleaded innocent, but was blacklisted anyway. The next offical Hollywood film he was in was "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," in 1966.
He also had the only role in a film screened in Venice in 1960 (by Samuel Beckett, called "Zero"); apparently it wasn't released. To earn a living, Mostel went back to Broadway, appearing in numerous plays from 1952-1964 (although he was not particularly successful until 1958). He won an Obie and three Tony awards (one of them for the stage version of "A Funny Thing"). He also appeared on television in 1959.
After 1966, Mostel appeared in numerous films, including Mel Brook's "The Producers" (1968) and "The Front" (1976), where he played a blacklisted comedian much like himself (Hecky Greene). His last film was relased two years after his death (in 1977), and was a documentary of his life.
See Arthur Sainer's 1998 biography of Mostel for more information.
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Barbara L. Baker
Expertise
I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Please do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.
Experience
Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.
Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric
Awards and Honors
A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards
Past/Present Clients
My students
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