Customer Reviews

The Front Page [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"The Front Page" is a must-see for any fans of Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathau! I bought the movie before I ever even saw it and I loved it! These two are as funny as ever in this comedy about two reporters who are on top of the hottest story in town. This is a great film to watch, although Carol Burnett's character was a down side to it, but you hardly even notice it with the rest of the fine cast. The DVD offers an overall good presentation of the film in standard (unfortunately not widescreen)format. Bottom line- it's worth buying, even if you've never seen it! Especially with the great price!

Kudos to Universal for reissuing "The Front Page" in wide screen (and enhanced for 16x9 televisions). The first DVD version, released in 2001, was in full screen. "The Front Page" may not be the best version of this story ("His Girl Friday") but it isn't the worst either ("Switching Channels"). And any film directed by Billy Wilder and featuring the team of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau is worth a look.

In my opinion the best of the Lemmon/Matthau movies. It's everything a screwball-comedy should be: fast, funny, cynical. The cast is perfect and Wilder's direction brilliant. I liked "His Girl Friday" but "The Front Page" is even better.

In terms of depicting life in a newspaper office and the part-sleazy, part-unscrupulous and (maybe) part-honorable behavior of journalists, this film is as good as you will ever get. Tetchy, growling, circulation-obsessed Walter Matthau is exactly what most newspaper editors think they should be like, while Jack Lemmon, keen to get married but ultimately more interested in a good scoop, represents everything that non-journalist women have never been able to understand about journalist men. There are moments when the movie descends into farce - as in the scenes involving the Viennese psychiatrist - and it is true that Carol Burnett's hooker is the one character part that doesn't quite work. But the script is sizzling, and the one-liners rarely falter. One of Billy Wilder's best.

A very funny movie, if you like to laugh buy this one it is one of the best comedies you'll ever see.

This is the remake of a remake. The original "Front Page" (1931) was a great movie. It was remade in 1940 as "His Girl Friday." This 1974 remake is not quite as good as the original or the first remake, but is 10 times better than the 1988 remake ("Switching Channels"). The main problem with this movie is that the attempt at "adding jokes" distracts away from humorous situations. Carol Burnett's performance as the killer's girlfriend is absolutely horrible. All that aside, it is still an entertaining story, but stick to the original or the 1940's remake.

Not a classic, but still fun to watch. Lemmon and Mathau are great, along with the recognizable character actors. Some very funny scenes with the psychiatrist and the escaped prisoner. Susan Sarandon has a small part as Lemmon's fiancee. (Pre Oscar days)

Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau star in this 1974
comedy based on the play. A newspaper editor
talks his best reporter into doing a story on
a prisoner facing execution. Jack and Walter
were terrific in this as usual and this dvd
has nice picture and sound, but no extras.
I recommend this great comedy.

If you are a journalism nerd or just enjoy a good laugh, "The Front Page" is a good choice. The movie is set in 1920s Chicago follows the story of Hildy Johnson (Jack Lemmon), who is the top reporter for newspaper editor Walter Burns (Walter Matthau). Hildy decides he wants to get out of the newspaper business and get married, but Walter doesn't want to lose his ace just as the biggest story of the year breaks out.

The laughs are many, but only if you listen to the banter between the characters because there isn't a lot of physical humor.

Also, from a journalism standpoint, it does provide an interesting look at what journalism was like, even if it is exaggerated a great deal.

From my standpoint, it was kind of fun to see Lemmon and Matthau when they were younger, too. They are a great, comedic duo.

I recommend this movie, but remember, you have to pay attention a little to get all the jokes and appreciated the cleverness.

I totally disagree with Mr. Fine's review above. I think this movie is excellent entertainment. It's well done and very funny. Matthau, Lemon, Gardenia, Burnette are all great in this. Walter Matthau comes across as very conniving. Lemon is genuine and convincing as someone who has conflicting (unbeknownst to him) feelings about leaving the press business. Gardenia is great as the little Napoleon of the Sheriff's department. Burnette is just superb as always. The 1931 is very good as well, just in a different way. But I don't associate any special magic with it. This version stands capably on its own.