Zero Mostel didn't want to work with Jerome Robbins, a terrible person, on "Fiddler on the Roof." (Robbins had named names to HUAC; Mostel had not.) Actually, though Robbins was a legendary monster, Zero Mostel was an unpleasant person, as well, in his own special way. Mostel became agitated when "Fiddler on the Roof" drew attention for anything other than Mostel's performance. Mostel also had an irritating habit of ad libbing for several minutes whenever possible--broad humor that clashed with the rest of the show. (This lost Mostel the chance to appear in the "Fiddler" movie.) Jerome Robbins could never make up his mind, regularly motivated people through abuse, and did not give breaks. He terrorized Bea Arthur (Yente) until she burst into tears; she has indicated that he was one of the worst human beings she has ever known. Despite all that, "Fiddler" happened. Robbins--the director--really sort of wrote the show. He pushed Bock ...