In Howard Hawks's screwball masterpiece adapted from the stage play THE FRONT PAGE by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, star reporter Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell), once married to suave editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant), plans to leave the stressful newspaper world behind and marry a boring insurance agent. Walter won't reveal his feelings for Hildy but tries to keep her from leaving by convincing her to cover one last story, a politically motivated execution. When the convict manages to escape, chaos breaks loose, and Hildy finds herself working alongside Walter to break the story wide open.
HIS GIRL FRIDAY is a loose, freewheeling gem featuring some of the fastest dialogue ever filmed (peppered with inspired ad-libbing by Grant and Russell, each appearing at comedic high points in their careers). Hawks, who changed the original story of two newspapermen into a battle of the sexes, keeps the frenetic action careening forward and allows a few slim but luminous notes of genuine affection to slip into Hildy and Walter's storm of hilarious verbal barbs, creating a potent and heartfelt classic that stands as one of the most influential comedies ever made.
HIS GIRL FRIDAY was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1993.
The film is remake of the original 1931 version, THE FRONT PAGE, directed by Lewis Milestone.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1.Todd McCarthy - Film Critic
Featurettes - 1.CARY GRANT: MAKING HEADLINES
2.THE INSIDE SCOOP: ROSALIND RUSSELL
3.REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: HOWARD HAWKS
4.THE FUNNY PAGES
Trailers - 1.Original Theatrical Trailer
Bonus Trailer - 1.BORN YESTERDAY
2.IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT
3.PAL JOEY
Text/Photo Galleries:
Biographies - 1.Howard Hawks - Director
2.Cary Grant - Star
3.Rosalind Russell - Star
4.Ralph Bellamy - Star
Publicity - 1.Vintage Advertising
Director of Photography
Joseph Walker: American Director Of Photography
Source Writer
Charles Hecht:
Art Director
Lionel Banks: Production Designer
Review 1:
"...One of the funniest American films ever made....Brilliant ensemble cast..." -- Rating: A
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.104 10/27/1995
Review 2:
"[O]ne of the fastest, wittiest comedies in history."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.119 02/10/2006
Review 3:
"[T]his classic, alternating between near-moronic farce and quasi-tragedy and blasting all the notes in between, features Cary Grant at his weaseliest."
Source: Premiere
p.65 08/01/2006
Review 4:
"...HIS GIRL FRIDAY is greatest newspaper comedy and one of the greatest screwball comedies ever made..."
Source: USA Today
p.11E 11/24/2000
Review 5:
"Watch it and see what a frantic adventure love can be."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.65 02/16/2007