The Front Page (1974)

As a tabloid newspaper editor tries to prevent his top reporter from retiring, an escaped death row convict shows up at the office trying to convey his innocence.

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

Ben Hecht (play), Charles MacArthur (play),

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Susan Sarandon

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Hildy Johnson
Walter Matthau	...	Walter Burns
Susan Sarandon	...	Peggy Grant
Vincent Gardenia	...	Sheriff
David Wayne	...	Bensinger
Allen Garfield	...	Kruger
Austin Pendleton	...	Earl Williams
Charles Durning	...	Murphy
Herb Edelman	...	Schwartz (as Herbert Edelman)
Martin Gabel	...	Dr. Eggelhofer
Harold Gould	...	The Mayor
Cliff Osmond	...	Jacobi
Dick O'Neill	...	McHugh
Jon Korkes	...	Rudy Keppler
Lou Frizzell	...	Endicott

Storyline

Hildy Johnson is the top reporter on a Chicago newspaper during the 1920s. Tired of the whole game he's determined to quit his job to get married. His scheming editor, Walter Burns, has other plans though. It's the day before guilty (but insane) murderer, Earl Williams, is due to go to the gallows and Burns tempts Johnson to stay and write the story.

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | train station | wisecrack humor | reference to ben hecht | execution | 

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Taglines:

It's the hottest story since the Chicago Fire... And they're sitting on it.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Prima pagina

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 4,427,652 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Austin Pendleton, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, and Billy Wilder did not get along during filming. They said they would never work with each other again, however, seven years later, they worked together again on Buddy Buddy.

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Goofs

The girls at the mayor's favorite cat house know him as The Green Hornet, after the radio superhero. The Green Hornet did not air until 1936, and The Front Page is set in the year 1929.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Walter Burns: That train that just left, what's the first stop?
Telegrapher: Gary, Indiana.
Walter Burns: All right. Send a message to the police chief at Gary, Indiana. Tell him to meet the midnight train to Philadelphia and arrest one Hildy Johnson.
Telegrapher: Hildy Johnson?
Walter Burns: Yeah. Son of a bitch stole my watch.

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Connections

Spoofs Picture Snatcher (1933)

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Soundtracks

"Swing Low Sweet Chariot"
(uncredited)
Written by Wallis Willis
Sung by unknown performer in gaol cell

User Reviews

a funny look into the newspaper business

how can you not laugh when so many funny & talented people are connected with this film. Billy Wilder, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Vincent Gardenia, Susan Sarandon & Charles Durning. it doesn't get much better than that.