Rating: Not Rated
Movie Release Date: January 18, 1940
DVD Release Date: November 21, 2000
Plot 411: When his ex-wife and best reporter informs him that she's engaged to be married, newspaper editor Walter Burns stops at nothing to keep her in the city.
Review: When Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell) informs her ex-husband and former boss Walter Burns (Cary Grant) that she's to be married the following day, the rapid-fire newspaper editor creates all kinds of diversions to keep her from leaving. He entices her to stay by dangling the opportunity to write one last breaking story in front of her. Walter generates all kinds of obstacles for Hildy and her fiance Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy) in an effort to prevent her from leaving him and the newspaper business. He knows that the quiet life she claims to desire isn't really what will make her happy. Hijinks abound as Hildy tries to get the story on an accused murder who is scheduled to be hanged in the morning. This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. The dialogue is simply marvelous as all the characters have a wicked tongue and spit fire back and forth. Russell and Grant are an invincible tag team that just rolls from one line to the next. They talk over each other and yet you're still able to understand what they're saying. The verbal tennis match is engaging and the lines are witty. While I'm sure the dialogue is the highlight of this film, the plot is actually pretty entertaining as well. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next. The unbelievable headlines and stories that the other reporters relay to their respective papers over the phone are hilarious and comment on the state of ethics and journalism during this time period. I also loved how the character of Hildy is of a strong woman. She's seen as one of the guys, which is uplifting especially during a time when women were relegated to gossip columnists.
Movie Release Date: January 18, 1940
DVD Release Date: November 21, 2000
Plot 411: When his ex-wife and best reporter informs him that she's engaged to be married, newspaper editor Walter Burns stops at nothing to keep her in the city.
Review: When Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell) informs her ex-husband and former boss Walter Burns (Cary Grant) that she's to be married the following day, the rapid-fire newspaper editor creates all kinds of diversions to keep her from leaving. He entices her to stay by dangling the opportunity to write one last breaking story in front of her. Walter generates all kinds of obstacles for Hildy and her fiance Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy) in an effort to prevent her from leaving him and the newspaper business. He knows that the quiet life she claims to desire isn't really what will make her happy. Hijinks abound as Hildy tries to get the story on an accused murder who is scheduled to be hanged in the morning. This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. The dialogue is simply marvelous as all the characters have a wicked tongue and spit fire back and forth. Russell and Grant are an invincible tag team that just rolls from one line to the next. They talk over each other and yet you're still able to understand what they're saying. The verbal tennis match is engaging and the lines are witty. While I'm sure the dialogue is the highlight of this film, the plot is actually pretty entertaining as well. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what will happen next. The unbelievable headlines and stories that the other reporters relay to their respective papers over the phone are hilarious and comment on the state of ethics and journalism during this time period. I also loved how the character of Hildy is of a strong woman. She's seen as one of the guys, which is uplifting especially during a time when women were relegated to gossip columnists.
Watch It: For the verbal gymnastics routine and the poetry of Grant and Russell.
Skip It: If you're looking for any kind of real action. The movie's about an accused murderer but he's merely a plot device for the surrounding action.
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