Freethinkers of Colorado Springs

Movie Night: The Front

Penrose Public Library Aspen and Pine Rooms

20 South Cascade

February 17, 6:30 pm

You are cordially invited to join the Freethinkers of Colorado Springs for Movie Nights on the third Tuesday of each month at Penrose Public Library, 20 North Cascade Avenue in Colorado Springs. The upcoming event is Tuesday, February 21st, at 6:30 pm. We will view a 1976 film, "The Front," starring Woody Allen. Not your typical Woody Allen film — he acted in it but did not write or direct —  "The Front" takes place in 1953. Senator Joseph McCarthy has whipped America into an anti-communist frenzy; anyone having ties to the left wing is blacklisted (persecuted and denied employment). This is a big opportunity for Woody Allen to make a few bucks selling scripts written by blacklisted writers, being the "Front" of the title. This masquerade starts as a favor to a friend in trouble and a chance for easy money, but it quickly snowballs into serious involvement with some very ugly things.

"The Front" was written by Walter Bernstein and directed by Martin Ritt. It also stars Zero Mostel, Herschel Bernardi, and Andrea Marcovicci. Several people involved in the film (writer Bernstein, director Ritt, and actors Mostel and Bernardi, among others) actually were blacklisted during the McCarthy era, and the film draws from real life incidents in its depiction of the characters. We have reserved the combined Aspen and Pine Rooms in  Penrose Library for these events. As you enter the building from Cascade Avenue, go straight ahead to the information desk, which is marked by the word “ASK” in large letters. Turn right and follow the wall to your right, past the  elevator, and look for the big blue Freethinkers sign.

Once again, that’s The Front on Tuesday, February 21st, 6:30 pm at Penrose Public Library, 20 North Cascade Avenue. We hope you can make it!