His Girl Friday
(Unrated, 1:31:43, Released 1940)
| Genres: | Drama, Classics, Comedy |
| Release Date: | Jan 1, 1940 |
| DVD Release Date: | Dec 28, 2004 |
| Starring: | Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Gene Lockhart |
| Directed by: | Howard Hawks |
| Synopsis: | Walter Burns is a conniving but irresistible newspaper publisher desperate to woo back the paper's star reporter -- who happens to be his estranged wife. She's tired of the business and is ready to settle down with a new beau. But, as Walter well knows, she has one weakness -- she can't quite resist a juicy scoop. |
| Full movie details |
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Other Top Reviews
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December 17, 2009
I used to love, love, love this movie, and then I paid attention to the crime that had been committed, and realized the horrid racism which sets this otherwise entirely delightful comedy going is too rotten and awful for me to overlook. Very depressing, as Grant and Russell were never, ever better than they were in this film.
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December 10, 2009
Too fast for me to understand everything... had some good laughs though
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November 20, 2009
They talk so fast, you don't understand a word they're saying.
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November 1, 2009
This film is an absolute triumph for everyone involved in the production. Even by today's rapid standards the dialogue snaps too fast for you to notice every joke. Based on an amazing play by Ben Hecht, Howard Hawks directs an insurmountable adaptation that's a comedy of substance, style, and performing perfection, all at the same time. Cary Grant and Rossalind Russell make sure of it.
It would take forever to mention every secondary character ... and their characteristic comic contribution to the film. It's a bunch of fast-talking, fast-thinking rogue journalists that would have sold their mothers to the zoo if they were certain that they would get a few good laughs out of it. In juxtaposition to all these suspicious types, stands Ralph Bellamy, as the naive "prince", Bruce Baldwin, who promises to take Rosalind Russell's Hildy Johnson away to his lovely and quiet "castle", promising a life of splendid, yet life-ending (read: boring as hell) domesticity. It's not a wonder that Hildy will do anything to get "that last story" written up, on the way falling accidentally on the lap of Cary Grant's irresistible Walter Burns... -
September 30, 2009
Snappy, hilarious, fast-talking and just damn brilliant.
"Walter Burns: You've got the brain of a pancake. This isn't just a story you're covering - it's a revolution. This is the greatest yarn in journalism since Livingstone discovered Stanley.
Hildy Johnson: It's the other way around.
Walter Burns: Oh, well, don't get technical at a time like this. " -
September 16, 2009
One of the greatest screwball comedies. Firecracker dialogue with actors about to explode. Cary Grant is a joy to behold. Howard Hawks' range extends to just about every genre. It's simply ridiculous how fast-paced this movie is. Russell holds her own (and some!) next to Grant. In fact, I can never decide who to look at when they are both on screen.
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September 5, 2009
Joel Rohan loves this movie so much it's scary. Grant is great. "You look like Ralph Bellamy".
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September 4, 2009
lovely fast talking film hiarious old school romantic comedy
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September 2, 2009
Great acting and performances by Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. They were so quick and on-top of their dialogue that they make real people look retarded, haha.
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August 21, 2009
Another role for Cary Grant that not only allows a spectaculr performance, but shows off his ability to deliver large amounts of speech in under 30 seconds.
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August 17, 2009
His Girl Friday is my favorite film of all time. It has been since the first time I saw it, when I was 12. Cary Grant is never better as newspaper editor Walter Burns, who is about to lose his ace reporter and ex-wife Hildy Johnson (a superb performance by Rosalind Russell) to marriage to an insurance man (Ralph Bellamy). Just so happens a major news story breaks as convicted murderer Earl Williams, who is about to be put to death, escapes from custody. Walter convinces Hildy to take this last job assignment and he will sign a nice big check for an insurance policy for the soon to be wed couple. During her investigation, Hildy manages to track down Williams and tries to keep him safe from the police and the mayor. A wonderful mix of comedy and some drama make this my all time favorite film. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell make a terrific dream team. The one liners fly fast and furious, expertly handled by the entire cast. Great direction by the legendary Howard Hawks. Highly recommended.
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Wilson, reporter: Any dope on how he escaped?
McCue, reporter: Maybe the sheriff let him out so Williams could vote for him.
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Walter Burns: Sorta wish you hadn't done that, Hildy.
Hildy Johnson: Done what?
Walter Burns: Divorced me. Makes a fella lose all faith in himself. Gives him a... almost gives him a feeling he wasn't wanted.
Hildy Johnson: Oh, now look, junior... that's what divorces are FOR! -
August 8, 2009
great movie typical cary grant movie
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July 5, 2009
I don't understand why everyone is so enchanted with this film. I didn't find it funny. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood to laugh. I just didn't care for it. Grant is great as usual.
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June 27, 2009
Love is lovlier the second time around
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June 23, 2009
Cary Grant & Rosalind Russell are a great combination
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June 14, 2009
Bolt lightning funny dialogue. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell were real fun to watch. Always fighting and bickering but you know they still respect each other in a way. I'd watch this movie again. Also I'd just like to add that movies like Leatherheads that try this format..shouldn't. It's nothing against the actors it's just that it doesn't work well today. that is all.
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June 12, 2009
Grant And Russell are simply fantastic together. The dialog in this is superb.
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June 2, 2009
One of the best movies ever!
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May 24, 2009
Best screwball comedy I have seen yet. Howard Hawks is utterly brilliant and before his time in this. Grant is phenomenal.
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April 20, 2009
My vote for best screwball comedy ever. Pure Howard Hawks heaven, with Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell and Ralph Bellamy on fire, spouting brilliant machine-gun dialogue from regular Hawks go-to-guy Charles Lederer. Well... the dialogue isn't so much "machine-gun" paced, as "a tommy gun in each hand blasting away without ever running out of ammo" paced...
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March 21, 2009
Excellent dialogue based film starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. A lot of fast talking so you better pay attention or you might miss a great line! A wonderful example of Cary's great comedic talents and the chemistry between Cary and Russell is nothing short of fiery!
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March 12, 2009
"His Girl Friday", widely excepted as Howard Hawks' comedic masterpiece, has been reinvisioned several times since it's release in 1940. The film itself was a remake of a 1930's newspaper film, "The Front Page". The significant difference here, however, is that the role of the star reporter was no longer played by a man, but by the wonderful actress Rosalind Russell. When discussing the first true leading lady roles in film history, Russell should certainly not be overlooked. She's not delicate or reserved - she's loud, spunky, and doesn't take anybody's crap. She's one of the boys to such an extent that her peers call her a fellow "newspaperman".
On top of a dominating female leading performance, "His Girl Friday" will go down in history for it's snappy dialogue where, for the first time ever, characters talk over each other in attempt to mimic naturalistic conversation. The script is such a revelation, in fact, that from my experience it seems to be one of the more widely taught screenplays in modern screenwriting courses. I live near Chicago, and a friend of mine lives on the East Coast, and we were both more than familiar with the material due to our lengthy discussions about it in screenwriting classes.
Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell) is the star reporter of the Morning Post in Chicago. Her boss, Walter Burns (Cary Grant), is also her ex-husband, and he's not given up hope in his attempt to remarry his lost love. He's so determined, in fact, that he attempts to sabotage the marriage of Hildy and her fiancé, Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy), a dull and dim-witted momma's boy. Meanwhile, a simpleminded murderer, Earl Williams (John Qualen), is sentenced to be hanged after killing a black police officer. This is more of a political move, of course, as the mayor is looking to win the black votes in the nearby election.
The film flows at a completely frantic pace, not allowing the audience any breathing room, and you may have to see it three or four times to digest all the funny sexual innuendos and sarcasm. Every review of "His Girl Friday" includes the words "screwball comedy", because, well, it's the quintessential screwball comedy in American film history.
"His Girl Friday" is unquestionably entertaining, but the only thing that kept me from truly adoring it was it's pace. While it's revolutionary and innovative, it's just not my style of comedy. That being said, however, the film is a true classic and one not to be missed. Check it out on NetFlix's Instant View. -
March 10, 2009
a very witty comedy from an underrated master of early hollywood, the talent of hawks' direction knows no bounds and neither does grant's acting, a daring and superb effort with lightning fast dialogue
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March 8, 2009
Cary grant was the best old movie actor ever
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February 14, 2009
This movie is classic. Carey Grant was an amazing actor... and a sexy man...
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January 30, 2009
THE fastest talking, fastest moving film that doesn't rely on explosions I've ever seen. Incredible script and performances delivered at machine-gun pace under the masterful guidance of Howard Hawks. A must-see for anyone with an ear for snappy repartee.
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January 19, 2009
una excelente comedia romántica donde un hombre hace todo lo posible para no dejar partir a su compañera y amada
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January 8, 2009
A rapid-fire comedy masterfully directed by Howard Hawks and jam-packed with outstanding performances. As hilarious as it is intelligent, this is one of the best movies of the 1940s.
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January 7, 2009
One of my favourite TV characters, Will Tippin, in my favourite TV programme of all time, Alias, said this was his favourite film of all time. I watched it on his, fictional, recommendation and loved it. Appeals to my journalistic sensibilities, curious instinct, love for wit and fast repartee, compelling characters, stunning acting and harks back to the golden age of cinema.
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December 28, 2008
It's great. Wonderful performances by Cary Grant and Rosalind Russel
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December 24, 2008
interesting how EW dubbed it 2nd sexiest movie
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December 14, 2008
Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell are awesome, but this movie is overated.
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November 29, 2008
Screwball comedy. Rapid fire dialogue. It seems that every screwball comedy romance movie made in the 30s, 40s, and 50s revolved around reporters. And frankly, I'm bored of it.
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November 18, 2008
Cary Grant can do no wrong.
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October 31, 2008
Fast paced, good script, good acting, and crazy hilarious movie
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October 29, 2008
a classic obviously.
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September 18, 2008
Good flick, but I didn't like the fact that much of the movie is spent cultivating viewer sympathy for a man who got stressed out over the loss of his job and proceeded to murder a police officer. It left a bad taste in my mouth.
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August 30, 2008
perfgection and grace the wit and dialog just crackles
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July 29, 2008
Sharp to the point and streaming with chuckles, His Girl Friday rests on the sturdy shoulders of Grant and the commanding presence of Russel; befitting a film that focus on the notions of dishonesty - be it Grant's immoral newspaper editor or the crime caper happening behind the hilarious relationship quibbles. Though the script tends to meander in a line a little too straight at times, it is Grant's timing of delivery that makes the film a joy to watch.
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July 5, 2008
Amazingly good dialogue and great characters. A wonderful film
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July 4, 2008
Love Cary Grant! He was hilariously manipulative, but mind u, she wanted to be manipulated! LoL :D Recommended!
