2. Which film first brought Dustin Hoffman to the attention of the general public as a name to watch out for?
From Quiz A Dustin Hoffman Retrospective
Answer:
The Graduate
These were his first four films, but it was "The Graduate" (1967) which really drew attention. Considered daring for its time, the movie followed the romantic entanglements of the aimless Benjamin Braddock, recent college graduate. His entry to a backyard party dressed in full scuba gear was a classic cinematic moment, although reference has more often been made to the seduction scene and to the marriage scene. The soundtrack, by Simon and Garfunkel, remains enough reason to watch the film, even without considering the excellent acting and direction.
Other actors considered for the role of Benjamin included Charles Grodin (not used due to a salary disagreement), Warren Beatty and Robert Redford (neither considered awkward enough), Burt Ward (busy with "Batman") and Jack Nicholson. In order to take this role, Hoffman had to arrange a release from "The Producers", and the part of Bloom eventually went to Gene Wilder.
"The Tiger Makes Out" (1967) was released before "The Graduate", but Hoffman's small part did not catch the public eye. "Madigan's Millions" (1968) was filmed in 1966, with Hoffman playing the investigator trying to recover $1 million owed the U.S. government by a gangster who had been deported to Italy; it was not released, however, until 1968. "Sunday Father" was released in 1969.
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