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ROMAN FARCE

Today's entry in the Zero Mostel Film Festival was Richard Lester's

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)

In this one, Mostel recreates his stage role.

He is the star.

Phil Silvers, Jack Gilford and Buster Keaton add to the stew.

We see the patented, full bore comic actor Mostel; the rolling eyes, the wild gestures, the 'sounds' that only his voice can make.

Type casting.

The film itself is quite enjoyable. Funny. Fast paced.

A Keystone Cops kind of chariot race near the end drags the film down. Bad decision.

Zero could really sing well. He went on to star in the original Fiddler on the Roof. Sadly, they decided not to use him in the film.

I am sorry that I never saw him on the stage.

Nevertheless, I have this film to watch and listen to for his musical self.

This was Mostel's big return from his blacklisted appearance.

We will see more on this when we watch The Front.

Labels: blacklist, films, Zero Mostel