"Never mind the European war, we got something a whole lot bigger than that!"

Walter Burns is editor of the Morning Post newspaper taking the side of a man about to be sent to the gallows. His ex-wife Hildy Johnson is due to get married again to the somewhat stiff Bruce Baldwin but Walter needs her to help with his story and possibly save a man's life at the same time. Will Bruce allow Hildy to assist Walter or is he concerned Walter is just looking to win his ex-wife back?

"It all happened in the Dark Ages of the newspaper game - When to a reporter getting that story justified anything short of murder. Incidentally you will see in this picture no resemblance to the men and women of the press of today. Ready? Well, Once upon a time..."


skyjude review
A true comedy classic that moves at lightning speed, His Girl Friday is a superb expose of the newspaper business but most importantly it's a superb comedy. Cary Grant gives a comic performance to match anyone and Rosalind Russell is exquisite as his ex-wife. Ralph Bellamy plays the straight man perfectly and provides the perfect foil for Cary Grant's heartless newspaper boss. The movie hurtles along with some very clever and at times biting dialogue and is an example to all comedy writers today. It's political, inciteful, at times dramatic and always side-splittingly funny. One of the rare classic comedies that has humour to match the modern style, this should be sought out by all those yet to experience this indisputable movie legend.

Top 5 Reasons for Watching His Girl Friday

[5] The Oliver Hardy lookalike!
A great addition to the movie, the role of the nervous and thoroughly honest Joe Pettibone seems to be an homage to the brilliant Oliver Hardy in both shape and character. His exchanges with the mayor who promises him he'll fix everything are comic genius.

[4] Earl Williams in the roll-top desk!
A truly funny set-piece involving hiding the escaped criminal in the roll-top desk, is capped off by a brilliant shot of Cary Grant opening the desk to fan some air in before slamming it shut again. Hysterical.

[3] Walter meets Bruce
From the initial moment of purposely shaking the hand of the old man to the awesome restaurant scene, Cary Grant is in masterly comic form as he completely overawes his ex-wife's new partner.

[2] Cary Grant & Rosalind Russell
Cary Grant is a joy as the manipulative, obnoxious newspaper editor and yet Rosalind Russell more than holds her own with her brassy performance as Hildy Johnson. One of the few female leads to stand shoulder to shoulder with Grant in commanding form - this is a teriffic partnership that perfectly captures the strong characters of both lead roles.

[1] The dialogue
The sheer speed of the dialogue is what cements this film's place in movie legend and it really is something to behold. Neither before or since has any movie moved at such a frenetic pace and ensured every line is still perfectly delivered. To pick up everything you may need to watch this movie more than once and you'll surely want to after first viewing.


His Girl Friday quotes

Walter Burns: How long is it since we've seen each other?
Hildy Johnson: Oh, well, let's see. I spent six weeks in Reno, then Bermuda. About four months I guess. Seems like yesterday to me.
Walter Burns: Maybe it was yesterday, Hildy. Been seeing me in your dreams?

Walter Burns: There's been a lamp burning in the window for ya, honey.
Hildy Johnson: No thanks, I jumped out that window a long time ago.

Walter Burns: Why Hildy, you've got the old fashioned idea that divorce is something that lasts forever - 'til death do us part'. Why, divorce doesn't mean anything now days Hildy, just a few words muttered over you by a judge.

Hildy Johnson: Walter, you're wonderful in a loathsome sort of way.

Walter Burns: Look Hildy, I only acted like any husband that didn't want his home broken up.
Hildy Johnson: What home?
Walter Burns: What home? Don't you remember the home I promised you?

Bruce Baldwin: I like him - he's got a lot of charm.
Hildy Johnson: He comes by it naturally - his grandfather was a snake.

Walter Burns: Hey Vangie, come here. There's a guy waiting in a taxi in front of the criminal courts - Bruce Baldwin.
Evangeline: What does he look like?
Walter Burns: He looks like that fella in the movies, you know, er, Ralph Bellamy.

Press man 1: Any clues as to how he escaped?
Press man 2: Maybe the mayor let him out so that Williams would vote for him.

Earl Williams: I wish they'd take me back and hang me.
Hildy Johnson: They will if you don't shut up.
Earl Williams: I couldn't go through another day like this.

Hildy Johnson: The mayor's first wife, what was her name?
Walter Burns: You mean the one with the wart on her?
Hildy Johnson: Right.
Walter Burns: Fanny!

Walter Burns: Take Hitler and stick him on the funny page!

Walter Burns: Get back in there you mock turtle!

Walter Burns: Diabetes! I ought to know better than to hire anybody with a disease.

Walter Burns: Listen you insignificant, square-toed, pimple-headed spy, do you realise what your're doing?

Walter Burns: The last man that said that to me was Archie Leach, just a week before I cut his throat. We've been in worse jams than this, haven't we, Hildy?
Hildy Johnson: No.



Production company: Columbia Pictures Corporation