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The Front Page (1974)

Director: Billy Wilder

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From Time Out Film Guide

Third and least of the movie versions of Hecht and MacArthur's classic stage comedy about a manic editor's attempts to win back his star reporter - on the eve of the latter's marriage - by means of working up a hysterical storm about the forthcoming execution of an insane killer. Quite simply vulgar in comparison to its predecessors (especially Hawks' brilliant His Girl Friday), it relies too much on foul language, inappropriate slapstick, and superficial cynicism. That said, the cast - particularly the Gentlemen of the Press, acting as a profane Greek chorus to the battle between Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson (Matthau and Lemmon in usual form) - is impressive.

Author: GA

Time Out Film Guide


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