A former reporter, Hildy (Russell), returns to the paper to visit her former editor, Walter (Grant), who is also her former husband. Her goal is to inform him of her plans to marry her future husband, Bruce (Bellamy), however, she is instead caught up in Walter’s self-serving and double-crossing plan to win her back.
Adaptation of Stage Play, The Front Page.
Howard Hawks’ His Girl Friday, is an adaptation of the 1928 stage play The Front Page. The original play was written by two former reporters, Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur. A fast talking comedy following a journalist trying to decide between staying and leaving the exciting world of journalism and his fellowship of hard boiled newspapermen. His manipulative editor tries everything he can do to keep him on with the paper. The core of the story surrounds the systemic corruption in politics and ethics within the media.
There are several major changes in Hawks’ version. The primary change, is a shift from the male role of Hildy being shifted to a female role. The reporter and editor are changed to be former romantic partners instead of just colleagues. Their relationship is not balanced though. Walter is a dominant figure in her life. He is both her boss at work as well as her boss in the relationship. Even the film’s title, His Girl Friday, is a reference to a term, “girl Friday”, meaning an obedient and efficient female assistant.
Fast Talking
The original play, The Front Page, a tremendous success due in part to the fast talking and witty dialogue. This influence can be seen through the 1930’s. With the advent of talkies in the late 1920’s, films began having audible dialogue. Many of these films quickly adopted a fast talking style that is specific to the 1930’s.
Hawks’ desired to make His Girl Friday the fastest talking film. This led to having characters talking over one another, speeding up the film, and short periods of no dialogue. This created a fast paced film with almost a continuous flow of dialogue, like a constantly moving river.
Media Morals
The film prologue sets the tone by describing the attitudes of the “old” newspaper game. I am unsure if it is meant to be satire or serious, but it is clear that the sentiment of doing what it takes to get a story and make sure a story is told has not gone away.
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 man and woman of the press today.
His Girl Friday – Prologue
Ready?
Well, once upon a time – –
Jaded Beat Reporters
The beat reporters and Walter are all willing to do whatever it takes to get a story, as juicy as possible, and make sure that it gets out. The story doesn’t have to be true. What matters is that the paper has the ability to wield power. The subjects of the “news” are just pawns in a political theater, grander than any individual player on either side of the power struggle.
The beat reporters are jaded. They are exposed to, report on, and discuss the terrible things that happen daily in the city. They have grown to be indifferent to the individuals caught up in particular stories. The reporters can all be identified by their fast talking, witty, and cynical characteristics. By contrast, those that are not part of the newspaper are deeply affected by the events that connect them to the beat reports. They also all speak significantly slower than the reporters. When these two groups interact, it is clear to see the stark difference.
Corrupt Leadership
The leading forces of power in His Girl Friday are all corrupt. The editor of the paper, Walter, will do anything to get what he wants. He will pass along counterfeit money, put someone in jail, consider blowing up a train, falsify stories in the paper in order to get interviews, and that’s just a start. Walter is loyal to no one except himself. He will manipulate anyone he needs to in order to get his way, especially Hildy.
The mayor is also willing to do whatever it takes to stay in power. The premise of the story is that Earl Williams is going to be hanged due to shooting a black police officer. The mayor is pushing to have Earl hanged as quickly as possible so that it takes place prior to the upcoming election. His goal is to get as much of the black vote as possible to win the election. There is no concern for anything outside of that goal.
Hildy is Trapped
Hildy is forced to chose between a stable and predictable life in Albany with Bruce, a kind and naive man. Or, a volatile and unpredictable life in the city with Walter, a charismatic and manipulating man. Bruce represents a life where she doesn’t meet her full potential and fulfill her desires to work in the fast paced, exciting, life of a news reporter. A domestic role that fits the stereotype of a stay at home wife. She will likely be treated well by Bruce, but will still be dependent on him and will regret leaving the fulfilling role at the paper.
Walter represents a life where she can fulfill her desire to be successful in a world ruled by men. While she is a peer in this world, Walter holds power over her. He dominates and restricts her success and provides no love for her. That is the price she must pay in order to have an opportunity to thrive in the working world.
Hildy is physically and mentally trapped by her desire to be a part of the newspaper. She would not have gone back to Walter and the paper to inform them of her intentions to leave had she not wanted them to persuade her to stay. Her attempts to show Walter how she wants to be treated are met with resistance. Walter hears her, but does not listen. He see’s how Bruce acts and sees it only as a threat of taking Hildy, not as something to strive for himself. His motivations are to further trap Hildy in his life so that she can become a tool in his life to bring him more success.
A Brighter Scenario
Obviously, the best situation for her would be to stay in the city with Bruce and have a loving and affectionate relationship at home and a fulfilling work life. The forced choice helps highlight the struggle that women faced then, and still today. The options tend to be: stay at home and be subservient to the husband or be in the workplace and be treated less than equal.
Circular Ending
There is almost no character development throughout the film. The audience learns more about them and there is the appearance of development. However, this is just the characters falling slowly back into their old ways. By the end of the film, they are embarking on the same flawed, work-centric, honeymoon as their first marriage.
Hildy’s goal was to show Walter how she wanted to be treated and change his behavior. She tells Walter about how Bruce treats her, listening to her, not taking home work with him, holding doors open for her, and generally treating her with respect. Walter acknowledges everything that Hildy lays out for him. You would think his path would be to make himself a better partner, learn from his mistakes and be the person Hildy wants him to be. Instead, his path forward is to push out Bruce and make him a non factor. Walter can then win by default and change nothing.
In the end it isn’t Walter that she wants, it’s the ability to participate in the working world ruled by men. She wants to be a part of the action. She not only fits in, she stands out as a talented writer. She doesn’t need Walter or Bruce, yet her future must rest on the wishes of the men around her.
Directed by: Howard Hawks
Cinematography: Joseph Walker
Based on the play “The Front Page” by: Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur
Screenplay By: Charles Lederer & Ben Hecht.
Editing By: Gene Havlick
Starring: Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy, Porter Hall, & Billy Gilbert.
Runtime: 1h 32m
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Distributed by: Columbia Pictures
