1940 (Cary Grant & Rosalind Russell)
This was the movie that launched the careers of a thousand journalists, convinced that newspapers meant flirtation, dazzling wit and lots of smoking, not to mention editors who resembled the charismatic Cary Grant.
It was the second screen version of Hecht and MacArthur’s popular stage play, The Front Page, brilliantly directed by Howard Hawks, who, in a moment of inspiration, decided the Hildy Johnson character would work better as a woman.
So Hildy, played with supreme comic timing by Rosalind Russell, is now the ex-wife of Grant’s unscrupulous Morning Post editor, Walter Burns, as well as star reporter. When Burns gets the news that she is giving up journalism to marry a dull insurance man and move away, he is determined to sabotage her plans.
He lays a scoop on her plate, involving an impending execution and political corruption, that he knows she won’t be able to resist. The ensuing chaos is hilarious, although you’ll have to watch it numerous times to catch every gag. With superior verbal gymnastics, the film earns its reputation as one of the fastest-talking comedies ever made. However, Hawks had difficulty casting this film. While Cary Grant was an immediate choice, the casting of Hildy was a longer process. At first, Hawks wanted Carole Lombard, whom he had directed in the screwball comedy Twentieth Century, but the cost of hiring Lombard proved to be far too expensive. Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert, Margaret Sullavan, Ginger Rogers and Irene Dunne were offered the role, but turned it down. Dunne because she felt the part was too small and needed to be expanded.
Hawks then turned to Rosalind Russell. During filming, Russell noticed that Hawks treated her like an also-ran, so she confronted him: “You don’t want me, do you? Well, you’re stuck with me, so you might as well make the most of it.” Watch this film and appreciate the true genius of Cary Grant’s comedy timing… simply perfect!