The Front Page (1931)

Synopsis: Although generally less well known than Hawks' HIS GIRL FRIDAY, Lewis Milestone's adaptation of the Hecht-MacArthur classic remains faithful to the play's conception of Hildy Johnson as a man's... Although generally less well known than Hawks' HIS GIRL FRIDAY, Lewis Milestone's adaptation of the Hecht-MacArthur classic remains faithful to the play's conception of Hildy Johnson as a man's role. Set among wisecracking newspapermen in 1920s Chicago, the film stars Pat O'Brien as Hildy Johnson, the star reporter who has decided to marry Peggy Grant (Mary Brian) and leave the profession. However, his conniving editor Walter Burns (Adolph Menjou), who is willing to do anything to keep him at the paper, baits him with a big story. An anarchist, Clarence Williams (George E. Stone), who is slated to be executed for the murder of a policeman, has broken out of prison. When the escaped prisoner suddenly turns up in the prison press room, Johnson hides him in a rolltop desk, until he's able to get an interview. Meanwhile, the corrupt Sheriff Hartman (Clarence C. Wilson) and mayor (James Gordon) are hoping to hide the news that Williams' sentence has been commuted until after the election. This is an excellent, extremely funny film, with fine performances from O'Brien and Menjou, and, given pre-code movie standards, is generally more faithful to the rawness and toughness of the original play. [More]

Starring: Adolphe Menjou, Pat O'Brien, Mary Brian, Mae Clarke

Starring: Adolphe Menjou, Pat O'Brien, Mary Brian, Mae Clarke, Edward Everett Horton, Walter Catlett, George E. Stone, Slim Summerville, Matt Moore, Frank McHugh

Director: Lewis Milestone

Director: Lewis Milestone
Screenwriter: Bartlett Cormack, Ben Hecht, Charles Lederer
Producer: Howard Hughes

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