The Front Page (1974) Reviews

The Front Page (1974)
Member Rating:  
This third film version of the 1928 Ben Hecht/Charlie MacArthur Broadway hit The Front Page was the first one permitted to utilize all the salty profanities in the original play. Director Billy Wilder cast his two favorite leading men, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, as ace reporter Hildy Johnson and ruthless newspaper editor Walter Burns, respectively. The plot of the Hecht/MacArthur play remains intact: Burns pulls every underhanded game in the book to prevent Johnson from leaving his Chicago paper to get married, and in so doing the two journalists uncover a cesspool of political corruption, centered around the planned execution of anarchist Earl Williams (Austin Pendleton). Carol Burnett has an extended cameo as Williams' tart girlfriend, Mollie Malloy. The Front Page was remade for a fourth time in 1988 as Switching Channels. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, (more)
Director(s):
Billy Wilder
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(8 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Robert R.

This movie will educate you on why the Lemmon/Matthau duo was so popular back in the day. The dialogue is fast, profane (in a good way), funny; lots of good one liners. This is nothing like Grumpy Old men...

Yes   |   No


Timothy A.

This is the third version of this movie ever made, and once again, the Billy Wilder magic of the Lemmon/Matthau team does not fail. A little harder and coarser around the edges, and played with a tad less comedy than the earlier versions, the interactions are no less intense between Walter and Jack, and this is a great movie to see.

Yes   |   No


Les & Chan A.

Saw this movie when it first came out and have seen it a few times on cable since. Still cannot beat the team of Matthau and Lemmon for rapid-fire delivery of hilarious dialogue.

Yes   |   No


John B.

Not a bad film....not great either...too simple.....but, the old actors are fun to watch....nothing else special with this film.....JB Waldorf MD

Yes   |   No


John and Susan S.

As a fan of Matthau, I would have liked to see him better utilized, but the film stands up pretty well -- with the supporting cast contributing to a laugher that puts the vast majority of recent comedies to shame.

Yes   |   No


William D.

Completely entertaining, especially for Matthau or Lemmon fans. A double dipper if you appreciate both. In addition to these two stars you will be treated to a lineup of well recognized support actors. Well written and directed it is a movie that can be watched for a second time to catch lines that you may have missed the first time around because you were laughing. This will tickle your funny bone.

Yes   |   No


Megan E.

Great film! Matthau and Lemmon have classic chemistry and all of the hidden elements of the original story are brought out in the 70's version. Definitely worth watching!

Yes   |   No


Scott S.

This movie was the inspiration behind the recently revived musical, Windy City, that as of October 2006 was being shown in it's new form at the Walnut. This movie is funny and interesting on many levels.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (8)
     
    Robert R.

    This movie will educate you on why the Lemmon/Matthau duo was so popular back in the day. The dialogue is fast, profane (in a good way), funny; lots of good one liners. This is nothing like Grumpy Old men...

    Yes   |   No

     
    Timothy A.

    This is the third version of this movie ever made, and once again, the Billy Wilder magic of the Lemmon/Matthau team does not fail. A little harder and coarser around the edges, and played with a tad less comedy than the earlier versions, the interactions are no less intense between Walter and Jack, and this is a great movie to see.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Les & Chan A.

    Saw this movie when it first came out and have seen it a few times on cable since. Still cannot beat the team of Matthau and Lemmon for rapid-fire delivery of hilarious dialogue.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 8 Reviews
       

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