Customer Reviews

The Front Page

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

...is the rating for Madacy releases. Whatever low is the price, it's still too high, regarding the ultimate lack of quality in their products, and I will wait for a real production of this movie on DVD by people knowing their trade and having some respect for their customers.
Pleaaaaaase, change the rating, and allow for "0 -or under- to 5' option, because if I don't want to put '1' (which is far too much in this case) my review won't be accounted for, and the likes of Madacy (I never met worse) should be prevented from releasing such crap.

I had a DVD of this film, which must have been one step up from a home taping job, because the sound quality was dreadful (to use a favorite Edward Everett Horton word). It was better than nothing, but still left a lot to be desired.

Then I discovered this remastered edition. I got it and watched it and was very pleased. Now, don't get me wrong; this film does not look or sound like something done yesterday, even with the remaster. The picture is still blurry to look at and there are some jumps, but you have to remember that this movie is nearly 80 years old, so it's bound to show its age somewhat.

What is new and better is the sound quality. The dialogue is completely audible, unlike on the previous DVD, where about half the dialogue was muffled to the point of inaudability, and it comes out of both channels on the speakers instead of just one, and you don't have to have the volume at the maximum to hear it. There is still the roar in the background that comes with many very old films, but you can still hear what the actors are saying above it. And the talking is what this movie is all about.

The reporters are acerbic and cranky and mean, but have some humanity, as they sit and wait for a man to be executed. There is a wonderful subplot about the fact that the man is a political pawn and not guilty of the crime, which sheds some light on 1930s politics. Edward Everett Horton has a choice role as one of the men in the press room; it's a serious take on his usual character, an effete hypochondriac, but he doesn't play it for laughs this time. Adolphe Menjou and Pat O'Brien star as the editor and star reporter pair; if you have seen either remakes of the film, the Cary Grant-Rosalind Russell His Girl Friday, or the 70s version with Lemmon and Matthau, you know the basic story. Hildy is trying to quit reporting to get married, but Burns connives to keep him at the job.

There is a lot of pre-code stuff in the movie, which makes it somewhat shocking even today; at one point, one of the reporters actually flips off the Sheriff. The streetwalker is called just that, no euphemisms. There are other things, but I don't want to spoil it for you.

The movie is well worth watching, and learning from. I recommend it for anyone who has seen either remake, just to see where it all started.

The sound was so distorted neither of us could understand the dialog. We gave up watching it after 15 minutes.

A Chicago reporter wants to retire and marry, but is tricked by his scheming editor into covering one last case. Based on the famous 1928 play by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht, this gem isn't exactly the jewel HIS GIRL FRIDAY is - but it's definitely worth a look. Better than you'd think! It's a virile, dizzy-plotted drama which is considered by many to be the epitome of newspaper reporter flicks. A brilliant early talkie which perfectly transfers a 2O's stage classic onto the screen - with zesty aplomb. Superficially, a shade or two primitive due to its age, it should be seen by every serious student/fan of classic pre-code cinema. The plot is just the same as the one used in HIS GIRL FRIDAY, except that Hildy Johnson is as originally written - a man - in the form of Pat O'Brien. In the aforementioned, casting Rosalind Russell and changing Hildy's sex was an inspired stroke of genius: Howard Hawks should be commended. Menjou is terrific as Walter Burns: he won a BA AA nomination. Originally Louis Wolheim was to play the role, but he up and died suddenly. Nominated for Best Picture & Best Director AA as well. Now if the video folk could only improve the quality of the video transfer itself - which is admittedly quite poor, unfortunately.

A really great movie (five stars for content), but unfortunately the DVD is as unrestored as is the VHS tape version. Accordingly, I give the physical medium only one star, which averages out to an overall rating of three stars.

This is an outstanding early talking comedy. I rate the movie at leat four stars. Unfortunately, however, this relatively inexpensive DVD is completely unrestored; its video and audio quality is therefore seriously compromised.

I wish someone would bring out a totally restored version of this classic on DVD for around $.. - it would be well worth buying.

"The Front Page" is a classic early talking comedy. I rate the movie five starts for content.

Unfortunately, however, this inexpensive DVD is completely unrestored; there are major problems with both its image and sound quality. Its physical quality rates only one star, producing a joint content+physical quality rating of three stars (5+1divided by 2).

Hopefully a fully restored version of this materpiece will come out at less than twenty dollars in the next few years.

The film opens on a newspaper which has the credits. Very clever! [Is Chicago a "Mythical Kingdom"?] The next scene shows testing of a gallows. [Not outside?] Three cords are cut to release the trapdoor, so no one individual can be targeted. There is an art to hanging. Newsmen await the execution in the press room. Small talk reveals their character. Editor Walter Burns asks Louie to find Hildebrand Johnson. One woman wants her $2! Hildy plans to get married and move to New York. Working for Walter Burns is like being in a sewer. [$500 was a lot of money then.] Does Walter Burns have scruples? The scenes say `No'. "Those were the days." [Note the high crowns on hats.] Hildy stops by the press room to say goodbye. He will earn $150 a week in advertising! [Do newspapers and advertisers lie to the public?]

Will an execution of a poor man win votes? [Yes.] A new alienist will examine Earl Williams to test his sanity. Will this thwart the Red Menace? Molly drops by to complain about the stories made up about her. [Does this still happen?] The alienist experiments on Earl Williams, who escapes! This brings Hildy back to work with a scoop. [Do they still pay for news?] The talk explains the events. A messenger from the Governor brings a reprieve, but there is a trick here. Hildy gets some money from Louie. Then there is a surprise visitor! Hildy calls Walter Burns. Is Humanity more important than one life? [No, humanity is made up of lives "no man is an island".]

Where can Earl Williams be hiding? The newspaper reporters phone in their stories. Can they find Williams and collect the $10,000 reward? Suspicion falls on Molly, will she talk? "The poor kid." Louie muffles Mrs. Grant. Walter takes charge, he will effect a change in the Mayor's office. Hildy, like a dray horse, gets back to his job. Miss Becky Grant arrives to try to get Hildy back and fails. Walter has plans for a tremendous news story, he knows how to handle Bensinger. "You double-crossing rat!" [Is there an omen here?] Hildy begins to think about what happened.

The newsmen return with Sheriff Hartman. Will the Sheriff make a mistake? Mrs. Grant returns to accuse Walter. Now Walter makes a slip and Williams is recaptured! The reporters phone in their stories. Burns and Johnson are arrested for hiding Williams. The messenger with the reprieve returns for a deus ex machina ending. Is there one honest man in City Hall? A visitor from the capital. Walter understands the Mayor perfectly. And so does Hildy. He has one chance at happiness. Becky says "take it Hildy". But has Becky made a slip? [Yes.]

After 80 years this story still entertains with few dull spots, but shows its age. There was a newer version made around 1975. Do we need a newer version?

The previous reviews, read carefully, make it clear that this "remastered" edition still shows its age. Milestone is a fine director of early sound films--his All Quiet on the Western Front is a masterpiece--who overcame the drawbacks of the new and still being developed early sound technology. But do be warned--even though The Front Page is a fascinating and still vivid film, with obvious interest for anyone trying to look into the antecedents of His Girl Friday, this DVD edition will tax your eyes and ears! If ever a film was in need of a high quality digital restoration, this is it! I had hoped to use this is a film studies class, but now I am not so sure.

On a side note, the film is a window into some really good acting techniques ca. 1930: the character actors playing the various reporters are terrific, one and all. And the pre-code frankness of Edward Everett Horton's effeminately "gay" performance as Benzinger is a delight.

This is what movies are all about! Great Acting. Great Action. Steady rhythm of dialog and a little romance doesn't hurt a bit. I especially enjoyed Frank McHugh. These are some of the finest actors of the time. Adolph Menjou and Pat O'Brien were perfect partners in newspaper heaven. One of the early best sassy comedies with a bite to it. Be it that the visuals are not quality, the backbone makes you forget it was made in 1931. The beginning is unique with a newspaper flare! Sit back and enjoy this finely performed movie and it's earliest best!