| PRODUCT DETAILS | | The Front Page |  | |
The Front Page
Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht's classic newspaper comedy--about a conniving editor who talks his star reporter out of getting married long enough to cover a big story--has survived lesser adaptations than this one. (Ever see Switching Channels?) But few have been more disappointing. Billy Wilder teamed Walter Matthau (as the unscrupulous editor) and Jack Lemmon (as the fast-talking reporter), who try to get the scoop on everyone else in the story of a convicted killer who escapes on his way to the electric chair. But Matthau and Lemmon, as good as they are, succumb to the temptation to do shtick--and Carol Burnett shows up in a florid, unfunny performance as a hooker. An attempt to bottle the same lightning that struck with The Sting--but Wilder, Lemmon, and Matthau just can't do it. --Marshall Fine
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Price: $6.73
 The Front Page
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| User Reviews |  | Front Page
rating: 5
This a classic, from the Ben Hecht, James McArthur play of the same name.
With Jack Lemmon as Hildy Jhonson and and Walter Mathau as his editor
Walter Burns, it is a laugh a minute.
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fanntastic
rating: 5
There are many conflicted story.But at the end ,all are brong together.This is a Wilder'skill. Two main characters are suitable for
this story.Fantastic!
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What would be great
rating: 3
What would be great is a release of this version along with a rightfully restored version of the 1931 Howard Hughes' production of Front Page, much like Warner's did with the House of Wax and the Mystery of the Wax Museum!!!
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Okay, but not as good as the original or first remake...
rating: 3
This is the remake of a remake. The original "Front Page" (1931) was a great movie. It was remade in 1940 as "His Girl Friday." This 1974 remake is not quite as good as the original or the first remake, but is 10 times better than the 1988 remake ("Switching Channels"). The main problem with this movie is that the attempt at "adding jokes" distracts away from humorous situations. Carol Burnett's performance as the killer's girlfriend is absolutely horrible. All that aside, it is still an entertaining story, but stick to the original or the 1940's remake.
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Now in Widescreen
rating: 3
Kudos to Universal for reissuing "The Front Page" in wide screen (and enhanced for 16x9 televisions). The first DVD version, released in 2001, was in full screen. "The Front Page" may not be the best version of this story ("His Girl Friday") but it isn't the worst either ("Switching Channels"). And any film directed by Billy Wilder and featuring the team of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau is worth a look.
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The Front Page
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