His Girl Friday

Since we're not ready to post a new joint review in the next few days, I've been trying work up a few reserve reviews for just such a short-handed time as this. Of course, if Sir Scribe-a-lot has seen this film and wants to add his own review at some point, well then so be it.

GREEN'S STOP THE PRESSES REVIEW:

Former Ace newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell) comes back to the office of her ex-editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant) to announce that she's getting married to mild mannered Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy), much to Walter's surprise, because he's also her ex-husband. But Walter will have none of it as he slyly dangles the carrot of a lifetime under her nose, unwillingly but forcefully making her reassess her priorities and former relationship.

The only other time I'd ever watched this movie was in a film critique/history of film type class in college, more than 20 years ago. At that time I really didn't care for black and white movies, because my exposure to them was really limited only to the beginning and ending sequences in "The Wizard of Oz."

One of the all time classic films in American history, "His Girl Friday" (1940), sets the tone for snappy dialogue and a quick pace that is rarely matched in today's cinema. Other films, such as "Broadcast News" have tried and come close but just fall short.

The script is excellently written by Charles Lederer who adapted it from the highly successful 1931 play "The Front Page," by Ben Hecht. Howard Hawks was simply one of the greatest directors in any era and this film showcases his ability to get the most from his actors. Cary Grant is his usual suave, confident self, and he builds that into his character.

Having only seen Ralph Bellamy in two of his later movies, ("Trading Places" and "Pretty Woman"), I was impressed with his small but crucial role here and should make a note to self to see some of his other work. I'd never seen anything Rosalind Russell was in before but judging by her performance here, she was an actress who could stand up to the big boys and dish out as well as she could take. The supporting cast may not be as well known but are equally as effective in making this movie the classic that it has become.

Interestingly, Russell was not director Hawks first choice for the feisty Hildy Johnson. Hawks preferred Jean Arthur, who turned the part down for whatever reasons. I think Arthur would have done just fine with this role, but Russell does a great job in her own right.

This is a movie that you must see at least once in your lifetime and if the price is right, add it to your movie collection. Classic top notch entertainment.

***** out of *****