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

When Hildy Johnson, the top reporter of a Chicago newspaper announces that he is quitting to get married, his editor, Walter Burns desperately tries to change his mind. When denial, cursing, and luring don't work, Walter resorts to tricks. It's the day before a supposed communist is to be hanged, and all Chicago waits with baited breath. Meanwhile, each of the papers has a man on the story trying to get a scoop or angle for themselves. With a train to catch at midnight to join his fiancé, Hildy is at first not interested, but events and his own habits work against him as the day unfolds, and he can't help but get roped in, especially when the man to be executed escapes and then almost literally falls into his lap.

---

Plot Keywords:

chicago illinois | remake | journalism | based on play | screwball comedy | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Allen Jenkins's final film.

---

Goofs

When Hildy enters the press room to say goodbye to his fellow reporters, he greets them with an Edward G. Robinson imitation, saying "This is a raid, see." Robinson wasn't famous enough to imitate as a "gangster" until Little Caesar came out two years later.

---

Quotes

Hildebrand 'Hildy' Johnson: [the boys are warning Hildy that he might not last in his new job] My girl's uncle, he owns that advertising agency.
Murphy: Well whaddya know, our Hildy going into the nephew business.

---

Connections

References All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

---

Soundtracks

Congratulate Me
Lyrics by Bob Rothberg
Music by Lou Handman

User Reviews

Witty and fast-paced

When the subject of great movies is being discussed, this movie must be included in the discussion. This movie is a witty and fast-paced satire that pokes fun at the news media. The characters are memorable and the acting is fantastic. Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon and Vincent Gardenia are great in this movie, but most impressive is Carol Burnett's wonderful and powerful performance which dominates every scene in which she appears. But what makes this movie even more appealing is that it is a story of how the quest for the extra buck can corrupt everyone involved, with tragic consequences. Billy Wilder is very strong on this point and for this reason this movie is worth watching.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 December 1974 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Spéciale première

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

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