Switching Channels (1988)

56% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(1,043 ratings)

The 1920s-era play The Front Page was about a Chicago reporter who wants to retire and get married but is tricked by his editor into doing one last story -- which proves to be complicated. It was made into a classic film in 1931 and inspired the 1940 hit movie His Girl Friday, in which the reporter… More The 1920s-era play The Front Page was about a Chicago reporter who wants to retire and get married but is tricked by his editor into doing one last story -- which proves to be complicated. It was made into a classic film in 1931 and inspired the 1940 hit movie His Girl Friday, in which the reporter was changed into a woman. Billy Wilder also remade the original film in 1974. Switching Channels is a 1988 remake of His Girl Friday, with Kathleen Turner in the starring role, which has now morphed into that of a cable television network news anchor, Christy Colleran. She wants to marry a rich and handsome sporting goods manufacturer, Blaine Bingham (Christopher Reeve) and move out of town. But her ex-husband, John L. Sullivan IV (Burt Reynolds), who is also her producer and boss, gives her one final assignment to try to keep her around. Her reporting leads her into an investigation of a jail escape that follows a botched-up execution. Writer Jonathan Reynolds updated the original material. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Ted Kotcheff
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 4, 1988 Wide

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Reynolds is charming in an otherwise so-so reworking of His Girl Friday.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Obviously one of the weaker "Front Page" remakes, but still colorful and energetic enough to warrant some faint praise.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Unofficial variant on The Front Page that occasionally works.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Very middling, but still mildly entertaining
Erik Childress, eFilmCritic.com
A half-way decent updating of His Girl Friday. Half-way.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Throughly ordinary remake of His Girl Friday, stick with the original.
Dean M

Effective performances by Kathleen Turner, Burt Reynolds, and Christopher Reeve, but this remake comedy media movie is very average, lack of laughs.
Anthony V

Weak remake of His Girl Friday.

Cast

            Kathleen Turner as Christy Colleran

            Burt Reynolds as John L. Sullivan IV

            Christopher Reeve as Blaine Bingham

            Ned Beatty as Roy Ridnitz

            Henry Gibson as Ike Roscoe

            George Newbern as Siegenthaler

            Al Waxman as Berger

            Ken James as Warden Terwilliger

            Barry Flatman as Zaks

            Ted Simonett as Tillinger

            Anthony Sherwood as Carvalho

            Joe Silver as Morosini

            Charles Kimbrough as Governor

            Philip Akin as Guard

            Jason Blicker as Sound Man

            Ida Carnevali as Poor "Yuppie" Mother

            Richard Comar as Governor's Aide

            Warren Davis as Reporter

            Russell Jasper Gordon as Jasper

            Robert Morelli as Waiter

            Monica Parker as Jessica

            Laurie Paton as Reporter

            Bill Randolph as Eric

            Fiona  Reid as Pamela Farbrother

            Angelo Rizacos as Ridnitz's Sidekick

            Laura Robinson as Karen Ludlow

            Allan Royal as Obregon

            Tony Rosato as Joker

            Cheryl Wilson as Barbara

            Bill Cotterell as Rusty

            Grant Cowan as Crannock

            John Dee as Old Man in Lobby

            Diane Douglass as Uupper-Class Woman

            Eric Fink as Butler

            Wayne Fleming as Bryce

            Rex Hagon as Reporter

            Judah Katz as Tillinger Sound Man

            Corrine Koslo as Yvonne

            Katya Ladan as Reporter

            Ray Landry as SNN Anchorperson

            James Loxley as Anchorman

            Philip Malotte as 6'8" Cameraman

            Andre Mayers as Jesse

            Arlene Mazerolle as Hotel Receptionist

            Patrick Patterson as Guard

            Jackie Richardson as Abigail

            Chick Roberts as Cop

            Jane Schoettle as Booking Secretary

            Megan Smith as Booking Secretary

            Peter Walachy as Tattooee

            John Welsh as Chaplain

            Jack Duffy as Emil The Waiter

            John S. Davies as Aide

            Noel Gray as Nancy
See full cast