His Girl, Friday

My Blog

There’s a little gem of a movie out there for your viewing pleasure. It’s called, His Girl, Friday. Stars Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. Directed by Howard Hawks, It’s taken from the Ben Hecht play, The Front Page, but the character of Hildebrand ‘Hildy’ Johnson, a man, was changed to Hildegard ‘Hildy’ Johnson, a woman. And thank Buddha it was. Rosalind Russell gave a performance that rivals anything in any comedy film before or since. She actually retired the role. (Retired the role–that’s my term for an actor who does such a good job that no one should ever attempt to play it in a remake, I.E., Bogart as Rick in Casablanca, Pacino as Michael in The Godfather I & II–NOT THREE! Meryl Streep-Sophie’s Choice, Val Kilmer–Tombstone, Gene Hackman–Every role he’s ever played!). She was so good, as was of course, Cary Grant, that many scenes look like they weren’t studio filmed, but rather, some guy with a camera just happened to catch some people in public, in a conversation. This has happened before in films, but it’s rare, and many times, although real looking, it often comes across flat, colorless, void of personality. Not this one. It is truly a wonderful piece of work. It’s fast paced, there seems to be a spark in every scene, and the writing is absolutely wonderful.

Pay attention to the scene in the restaurant with Ralph Belemy, where Cary Grant is trying to get Roselind Russell to write a story for him. It is shear genius movie making. You question whether the lines were actually written down, and whether Russell and Grant are even actors playing parts. The timing is almost peerless, the performances, even Bellamy’s, for what it is, rival anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that has ever been put to celluloid. Hell, even the guy that played the waiter, Gus, I think it was, is perfect for the overall tone and execution of the dialogue, interaction, and pacing.

Then also, the scene where Russell and Grant are in the pressroom trying to compete with each other on the phone. It seems as though it was a first time take, ad-lib, just happen to catch, as my good friend says, Lightning in a bottle, instead of a rehearsed, blocked, and shot scene. Amazing.

Believe me, if you’re a movie buff, film critic, or just someone who recognizes true artistic genius when it comes to filmmaking, this is one that is a study aid in the art of the motion picture. Not only that, it has an outrageously beautiful platinum blonde in one small scene that will make any guys’ mouth water.

Anyway, this is one NOT to be missed. His Girl, Friday is a film that should go down as one of the all time, uncontested comedy greats in movie making history.

Get it. Watch it. Love it!

Keck

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