Review of His Girl Friday (1940) by Jacob M — 30 Mar 2014

"Take Hitler and stick him on the funny page.".

In the world of screwball comedies, there's been debate to whether which one is the definitive screwball comedy. Some, including myself, say Bringing Up Baby. Others say The Philadelphia Story. And others say the world's first screwball comedy, It Happened One Night, one I found to be quite overrated. But according to film historian and TCM host Robert Osborne in his show The Essentials, the majority say that Howard Hawks' His Girl Friday is the definitive screwball comedy. The film certainly has some flaws that make the film somewhat dated, which is why I do not believe this is the "definitive screwball comedy", but I do admit that His Girl Friday is a comedy classic and a fairly enjoyable ride, if not a true essential.

Rosalind Russell plays Hildy Johnson, a journalist who wants to abandon her profession in order to marry the shy Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy). But her ex-husband, and head of the news room Walter Burns (Cary Grant), has some tricks up his sleeve in order to win her back, which includes a hot news story that Hildy just cannot refuse, and one that creates absolute insanity in the newsroom.

If there's one thing I have to give His Girl Friday extreme credit on, it's the fast-talking dialogue. The film probably has the record for the fastest talking comedy ever made, and it's insane!!! Most of it is really funny to watch, especially when both Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant are talking at the same time.

And speaking of Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant, they are extremely awesome in this movie together on screen! When the two are together, sparks fly. The determination both characters make in their decisions are so fun to watch, and in every scene with the two, I always had a smile on my face, which is always strong in a comedy. I also enjoyed Ralph Bellamy in his role as Russell's fiancée. Being known for his nerdy roles, Bellamy delivers in what his character is supposed to do, even if he's overshadowed by the other two leads.

Films do have their flaws, particularly comedies, and here is why I do not believe His Girl Friday is the definitive screwball comedy, in the words of both Robert Osborne and Drew Barrymore. And my main issue has to be the big news story in the middle act, which involves some "anarchist" accused of murder about to be executed as part of some political scheme to get the Mayor reelected. As much as I give the filmmakers credit for trying to make the story moving, the development of the story sort of drags the pacing a little bit, as Cary Grant is absent in these scenes, and while the fast-talking is still entertaining, it loses the fun that makes the first and last acts extremely entertaining. A scene involving a random character's suicide also feels out of place in a 1940's comedy, especially one made in a time where comedies were made to get people's minds off WWII. But thankfully, when Cary Grant returns to the scene with Russell, the film picks up steam again, and the film returns to is extreme insane hilarity.

It sort of loses steam in the middle act, but His Girl Friday still remains a fun and entertaining classic screwball comedy. While I don't believe it's the definitive screwball comedy (I still say it's Bringing Up Baby, also directed by Howard Hawks), but the extreme fast talking and the fun chemistry between Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell gives His Girl Friday a good (if not essential) recommendation from The Movie King.

"Listen to me, you great big bubble-headed baboon! ".