description His Girl Friday (1940) Overview
His Girl Friday is a 1940 Columbia Pictures screwball comedy starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. The film’s rapid-fire dialogue and witty performances established a classic example of the genre. It's notable for its examination of newspaper journalism and its depiction of a reluctant marriage between a former editor and his ex-wife. Primarily enjoyed by audiences appreciating intelligent, fast-paced comedy and films from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
insights Why this score
His Girl Friday (1940) ranks #6 of 38 in the Screwball Comedy ranking, behind To Be or Not to Be (1942), ahead of Bringing Up Baby (1938).
help His Girl Friday (1940) FAQ
What play is the 1940 film His Girl Friday based on?
His Girl Friday is an adaptation of the hit 1928 Broadway play "The Front Page" by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. However, director Howard Hawks famously changed the gender of the star reporter, Hildy Johnson, to a woman to create a romantic dynamic.
Who stars as Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday?
Rosalind Russell plays the fast-talking reporter Hildy Johnson, starring opposite Cary Grant. Grant plays her ex-husband and manipulative editor, Walter Burns, who is desperately trying to sabotage her upcoming remarriage.
What real-life event is the central plot of His Girl Friday's final act?
The characters become entangled in the impending execution of a convicted murderer named Earl Williams. The film uses this tense situation to brilliantly satirize the unethical practices of newspaper journalism and political corruption.
How fast is the dialogue in His Girl Friday?
The movie is renowned for its incredibly rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue, carefully scripted by Charles Lederer. At the time of its release, it was famously noted for having one of the highest words-per-minute counts of any sound film.
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