Today’s quick review: His Girl Friday. On the eve of his ex-wife Hildy’s (Rosalind Russell) wedding, newspaper editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant) convinces her to cover one last story for him in an effort to lure her back to the life of a reporter. As Walter schemes to get rid of Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy), Hildy’s fiance, Hildy finds herself drawn into the elaborate case of a man about to be executed for murder.
His Girl Friday is a comedic romance set in the heyday of sensationalistic journalism. Cary Grant stars as Walter Burns, a charming but unscrupulous newspaperman who will stop at nothing to get his wife back. Rosalind Russell plays opposite him as Hildy, a born journalist who accepts one last job before her marriage and retirement. Hildy must choose between the tumultuous life she left and the peaceful one she claims to want.
His Girl Friday makes for an unusual romance. The plot unfolds at a breakneck pace, mirroring the constant churn of the newspaper business. Walter Burns makes for an odd romantic, trying every dirty trick he can think of to keep Hildy in town long enough to win her back over. The dialogue is rapid, the ethics are flexible, and the romance is a slow-motion train wreck as Hildy finds herself caught between her scoop and her marriage.
Watch His Girl Friday if you are a fan of classic films and you are game to follow a circuitous plot. Thanks to its shady characters and chaotic tone, His Girl Friday is not the best choice for those who want to be whisked away. But fans of the era will appreciate its acting, writing, and craftsmanship. Lovers of the classics should at least give it a shot, while newcomers may want to ease in with a more straightforward movie.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for good writing and acting, tempered by morally dubious characters and rapid pacing; your score will be higher if you’re a fan of its tight patter and skewed approach to romance.