I have been surrounded by strong women most of my life. I have always considered myself lucky in this respect. These are women who know who they are and are not hesitant to share their opinions on whatever the current topic might be. They know the difference between right and wrong. They fight for justice and don’t back down when confronted or questioned. Several of these women over the years have chosen a career in journalism. Chasing a story down to its conclusion lights them up and inspires every word they write. It has been amazing to witness. It is an electrifying and honorable profession.
Journalists are cut from a different cloth. They will put their lives on hold when in the middle of a deadline. Every quote, interview, and tip sparks excitement and high energy. Female journalists have had to fight for every break they got. Newspaper men were the term used by both genders. It took decades to cut the divisiveness. Female journalists stand upon the shoulders of those who came first, whether they worked for a publishing corporation or a movie studio.
In 1939, Howard Hawks changed the look of an all-male newsroom in one of the best comedies, one of the best remarriage romances, and one of the best female characters to ever grace the screen while portraying a newswoman. HIS GIRL FRIDAY should be required to be seen by every journalism school.
HIS GIRL FRIDAY was created from the Broadway hit play, THE FRONT PAGE. This was a story about two male journalists who chase down and capture a crazy front-page story. Hawks, the director, decided to make one of the main characters female. He thought the back-and-forth dialogue would work even better for a couple who worked together, were once married, and now divorced. When the woman decides to remarry someone outside the reporter world, all delightful hell happens. Powerful Rosalind Russell plays Hildy. She is pitted against the hunky Cary Grant as Walter. It was a match made in the heart of a hectic newsroom.
Hawks (BRINGING UP BABY, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDS) had a vision for this film. He wanted the conversations to be more real and natural. He knew most people usually talk fast and interrupt each other. This was what he demanded of his cast. Every dialogue overlapped. Instead of speaking at the usual 90 words a minute for movies, he insisted everyone speak 240 words each minute. To capture this rate on film, multiple mics were placed everywhere on the set. It was imperative to record each word. Hawks also encouraged the actors to ad lib lines, phrases, zingers, and wild expressions. They did just that at an unbelievable rate. When HIS GIRL FRIDAY begins, be sure to take a deep breath. It is non-stop until the credits roll.
Grant and Russell were spellbinding together. Their timing and pitch were impeccable. They had to know their lines perfectly, just like everyone else, to talk so fast. Russell hired her comedy writer to create extra bits and jokes to spring on Grant when they were going at it. After a while, Grant caught on that she was off-script, and every day he would ask Russell, “What ya got for me today?” It must have been hilarious filming.
Ralph Bellamy played Bruce, Hildy’s fiancé. During a memorable scene between Walter and Bruce, Walter is talking on the phone to hire a taxi driver. He describes the gentleman’s appearance as his fare. He says, “There’s a guy waiting on a taxi and he looks like that movie store named Ralph Bellamy.” The look on Bruce’s face was priceless. It gets the biggest laughs every time.
HIS GIRL FRIDAY dealt with some heavy topics for a comedic movie. Suicide, the death penalty by hanging, corruption, political cover-ups, bribery, the power of the press, and election misconduct were just a few. It sounds like a 21st-century film with what is going on across America. Hawks made sure to bring the humor lying deep within these incredulous times. It was not always easy to witness how women were treated in the late 30’s. Often, they were not seen or heard. Several times, Hildy emphasizes how much she wants to be seen as a woman who loves her career and excels at it. Again, HIS GIRL FRIDAY is still current. What a shame.
HIS GIRL FRIDAY is a funny, zany, lightning-speed classic. Although it didn’t win awards, it is recognized as one of the best comedies of all time. It changed the way actors spoke to one another on film. It broke down barriers that it was “swell” to be not only a pretty face, but wise as well. These are great lessons, and many could use a refresher course. My journalist friends would say, “Getting the story right is everything.” The truth is always timeless.
HIS GIRL FRIDAY is available on TCM.
