His Girl Friday

Plot

Newspaper editor Walter Burns is determined to win back his star reporter and ex-wife Hildy Johnson, who plans to marry the bland insurance salesman Bruce Baldwin and retire to Albany. When a man named Earl Williams is sentenced to hang for killing a Black police officer, Walter sees this as the perfect opportunity to lure Hildy back into journalism. Despite her intentions to leave the newspaper world, Hildy finds herself irresistibly drawn to the story, especially when Williams escapes from prison and takes refuge in the press room. Walter employs every manipulative tactic in his arsenal, from hiding Bruce's mother to arranging a fake kidnapping, all while Hildy works to break the biggest story of her career. In the end, Hildy chooses both Walter and her career, abandoning her plans for domestic tranquility for the excitement of newspaper work and their complicated relationship.

Historical Background

Released in early 1940, 'His Girl Friday' emerged during a pivotal period in American history, as the nation was recovering from the Great Depression and facing the looming threat of World War II. The film's cynical yet energetic tone reflected the hard-boiled journalism era of the 1920s and 1930s, when newspapers were the primary source of information and often wielded enormous political power. The timing was significant as it represented the end of the screwball comedy era that had flourished during the Depression, offering audiences escapist entertainment while still commenting on corruption in urban politics. The film's depiction of the death penalty and political corruption resonated with contemporary audiences who were increasingly aware of such issues. Made just before the U.S. entered WWII, it captured the last moments of pre-war American innocence while showcasing the sophisticated wit and rapid dialogue that would become less common as wartime seriousness took over Hollywood.

Making Of

The making of 'His Girl Friday' was marked by innovation and creative freedom. Howard Hawks, working with Columbia Pictures head Harry Cohn, was given unusual autonomy to experiment with dialogue and pacing. The casting process was extensive; several actresses turned down the role of Hildy before Rosalind Russell accepted, initially viewing it as secondary to Grant's role. Cary Grant, already a major star, insisted on equal billing for Russell and encouraged her ad-libs. The script went through multiple revisions, with Charles Lederer and Ben Hecht contributing to the rapid-fire dialogue that became the film's trademark. The newsroom set was designed to be fully functional with working telephones and typewriters, adding authenticity to the chaotic atmosphere. Hawks encouraged the cast to speak over each other, a technique that sound engineers initially resisted but ultimately perfected, creating a new standard for dialogue-heavy scenes.

Visual Style

Joseph Walker's cinematography for 'His Girl Friday' was revolutionary in its approach to capturing dialogue-heavy scenes. The camera work was designed to keep pace with the rapid dialogue, employing fluid movements that followed characters through the bustling newsroom set. Walker used deep focus photography to maintain multiple characters in sharp detail simultaneously, allowing the audience to follow various conversations and actions happening at once. The lighting scheme was naturalistic for the time, creating the authentic feel of a working newspaper office with its harsh overhead lights and shadowy corners. The two-story press room set allowed for dramatic vertical camera movements, adding visual interest to dialogue scenes. Walker's innovative use of the camera to create a sense of chaos and urgency complemented Hawks' overlapping dialogue technique perfectly. The cinematography successfully balanced the need to capture facial expressions during rapid dialogue while maintaining the broader context of the busy newsroom environment.

Innovations

'His Girl Friday' broke new ground in sound recording with its pioneering use of overlapping dialogue. Sound engineers at Columbia developed new mixing techniques to ensure clarity despite multiple characters speaking simultaneously, a technical challenge that had previously been considered impossible in film. The film's editing, by Gene Havlick, was revolutionary in its ability to maintain rapid pacing while keeping the complex dialogue coherent. The two-story newsroom set was an engineering marvel of its time, featuring working elevators, multiple telephone lines, and functional equipment that allowed for authentic background action. The production utilized early versions of wireless microphone technology to capture mobility during dialogue scenes. The film's post-production process involved innovative sound layering techniques that allowed the various newsroom noises to create atmosphere without obscuring the main dialogue. These technical achievements not only served the film's artistic vision but also established new standards for sound recording in dialogue-heavy films that would influence the industry for decades.

Music

The musical score for 'His Girl Friday' was composed by Sidney Cutner and Morris Stoloff, who served as Columbia Pictures' music director. The score was deliberately understated to avoid competing with the film's rapid dialogue, using mostly light, jazzy pieces that enhanced the comedic timing without overwhelming the scenes. The music primarily served as punctuation between dialogue exchanges, with short musical stings emphasizing punchlines and dramatic moments. The film's most notable musical element was the use of diegetic sound - the constant noise of typewriters, telephones ringing, and newsroom chatter that created an authentic audio environment. This soundscape was carefully mixed to ensure clarity despite the overlapping dialogue, a technical achievement for 1940. The soundtrack also included period-appropriate source music that played on radios in the background, adding to the film's historical authenticity. The minimal approach to scoring was unusual for the time but proved perfect for the film's style, allowing the witty dialogue to remain the primary focus.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene where Hildy enters the newsroom to announce her wedding plans, immediately engaging in rapid-fire banter with Walter and the entire newsroom staff
• The scene where Walter hides Bruce's mother in a closet and pretends she's been kidnapped to delay Hildy's departure
• The chaotic sequence when Earl Williams escapes and takes refuge in the roll-top desk, with all the reporters trying to get the exclusive story
• The scene where Walter eats Hildy's hat in frustration and desperation, a completely improvised moment that became iconic
• The final scene where Hildy types her story while simultaneously planning her honeymoon with Walter, demonstrating her commitment to both career and marriage

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'His Girl Friday' for its breakneck pace and sophisticated wit. The New York Times' Frank S. Nugent called it 'the most hilarious and talkative picture of the year,' while Variety noted its 'machine-gun dialogue' and 'brilliant performances.' Modern critics universally acclaim it as a masterpiece of the screwball comedy genre. Roger Ebert included it in his 'Great Movies' collection, praising its 'perfect fusion of romance, comedy, and journalism.' The film holds a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics consensus calling it 'one of the greatest comedies ever made.' The American Film Institute ranked it #19 on its list of 100 Funniest Movies, and it consistently appears on lists of the greatest films ever made. Critics particularly praise the chemistry between Grant and Russell, the innovative dialogue technique, and Hawks' masterful direction that maintains the film's incredible momentum throughout.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1940 embraced 'His Girl Friday' enthusiastically, making it a box office hit that exceeded Columbia Pictures' expectations. Contemporary moviegoers were thrilled by the rapid-fire dialogue and the sophisticated battle of wits between the leads. The film's success proved that audiences could handle complex, overlapping dialogue and intelligent humor. Over the decades, the film has maintained its popularity through theatrical revivals, television broadcasts, and home video releases. Modern audiences continue to appreciate its timeless humor and the dynamic between the leads. The film's reputation has only grown over time, with new generations discovering it through film studies classes, classic movie channels, and streaming platforms. Its influence on romantic comedies has made it a reference point for audiences familiar with the genre, while those discovering it for the first time are often amazed by how contemporary it feels despite being over 80 years old.

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