‘HIS GIRL FRIDAY’ IS THE CLASSIC EVERYONE LOVES
Featuring one of the biggest Hollywood heartthrobs of the 40s, His Girl Friday is also a film considered a popular classic. Finally, I’m making time to see if I agree.
His Girl Friday (1940) Film Review
Divorce is the best thing that ever happened to Hildy Johnson (Rosaline Russell). Her life was exciting sure, but her husband was more interested in what she could do for him professionally than in treating her like a woman and wife. Today however, after four months, Hildy is walking back into the office of newspaper editor Walter Burns (Carey Grant), who happens to be not just her former boss but her ex-husband, too.
She arrives with purpose which is to tell Walter that she has moved on. She has someone else and together they are going to build a happy and healthy life with boundaries, which means Hildy is done being Walter’s ace reporter. Upset over the finality of this, he determines to win her back, as a reporter if nothing else. So Walter sets into motion a series of events aimed at keeping Hildy from getting her train to her I do’s.
‘HIS GIRL FRIDAY’ IS THE CLASSIC EVERYONE LOVES. Reviewing the vintage classic #HisGirlFriday. #CaryGrant Share on XFrom Howard Hawks, my understanding of this romantic comedy is that it’s one of the most famous and well-liked titles from its era. The film has a breathtakingly fast and quippy script, but beyond my admiration for this, I cannot say that I agree with the acclaim. Given its popular rating averages, this seems to be an unpopular opinion so having said this, I’ll dive into some thoughts about His Girl Friday.
FILM REVIEW | ‘PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION’: NETFLIX ADAPTS THE BIG BESTSELLER
As previously stated, this film has a quippy script that while great fun also makes me a bit tired. Like how are we to keep up with the talent of this cast saying all of these lines? The plot is also more chaotic than I’d anticipate. From the supposition of wanting Hildy to reunite with her love to an accused murderer hiding in a desk, this is quite the story. Funny thing is, the latter seems to get more time than any development of reuniting Hildy with an ex, which I’m assuming we are should want. I don’t ever feel this though and for 99% of the film, Russell plays Hildy in a way I would love modern heroines to play women caught in a “love triangle.”
All this to say, His Girl Friday while darling in concept isn’t something I’ll be likely to rave over. Did I laugh? Absolutely. Did Russell’s heroine make me proud (for 99.9% of the film)? You bet she did. However, the final few moments of the film sort of undoes this and while it still entertains and will leave you smiling, it’s also a kind of odd concoction that doesn’t really do its characters much good.
Stream, at publication, His Girl Friday with MGM+, see it streaming free on Roku or Tubi; or digitally purchase on placed like Prime Video
Photos: Alamy
Content: this one is the standard G or PG 1940s rating. There may be some minor innuendo, but nothing graphic or worth making a fuss over.
Thank you for visiting; please do return again soon.
PINTEREST PIN – SAVE & SHARE
So I have heard the words ‘his girl Friday’ but never really thought much about it. Had no idea it was a movie.
It is indeed! And it’s a classic favorite for many. :)
great review
Excellent film! Love those classics!
I’m so glad you like this one! I’ve been watching (after years of not really watching) some of the classics again and it’s been fun. :)