Dynamic text with gradients?

I have a dynamic text field I'd like to apply a gradient to. The only think I could think that would work would be to have the text act as a mask for a gradient square beneath.

When I attempt this in a small, two layer MC it previews perfectly in the library, yet when exported to a swf displays as just the underlying gradient, unmasked. Does anyone know why?

Make sure the font is embeded.

If using a dynamically created text field, the font also needs to be in the library and linkage set to export.

See attached file for a scripted sample of a dynamically created text field that is masked with a randomized gradient fill, text also has a drop shadow.