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The Front Page (1974)

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Average Rating: 5.8/10
Reviews Counted: 22
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 7

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 3,034

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Movie Info

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

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Drama, Classics, Comedy

Directed By: Billy Wilder

Written By: I. A. L. Diamond, Billy Wilder

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1974 Limited

On DVD: Jun 15, 1998

Universal Pictures

The Front Page Trailer & Photos

Cast

Jack Lemmon
Hildy Johnson
Walter Matthau
Walter Burns
Carol Burnett
Mollie Malloy
Susan Sarandon
Peggy Grant
Vincent Gardenia
Sheriff
David Wayne
Bensinger
Paul Benedict
Plunkett
Barbara Peterson Davis
Myrtle
Charles Durning
Murphy
Herb Edelman
Schwartz
Biff Elliot
Police Dispatcher
Lou Frizzell
Endicott
John Furlong
Duffy
Allen Garfield
Kruger
Harold Gould
Mayor
Allen Jenkins
Telegrapher
Jon Korkes
Keppler
Doro Merande
Jennie
Dick O'Neill
McHugh
Austin Pendleton
Earl Williams
Noam Pitlik
Wilson
Joshua Shelley
Cab Driver
Martin Gabel
Dr. Eggelhofer
Cliff Osmond
Jacobi
Leonard Bremen
Butch

Critic Reviews for The Front Page

All Critics (23) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (8) | DVD (4)

Even though the mechanics and demands of movie-making slow what should be the furious tempo, this Front Page displays a giddy bitterness that is rare in any films except those of Mr. Wilder. It is also, much of the time, extremely funny.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Full of wonderful comedic business, throw-away lines and some effortless ensemble set pieces, The Front Page bristles with its collection of talents on both sides of the camera.... It's that Billy Wilder touch of hurtful grains of truth inside every com

October 6, 2007 Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile

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Urban Cinefile Critics

Urban Cinefile

This slick remake of the ebullient original falls short of being the film it could have been, despite the presence of master filmmaker Wilder and his engaging costars.

August 14, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

Too much of it seemed stretched thin and unfunny.

March 16, 2007 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Funny retelling with Lemmon and Matthau guided by Billy Wilder.

March 17, 2006 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

It relies too much on foul language, inappropriate slapstick, and superficial cynicism.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

not up to the original

July 9, 2005 Comment

Tony Medley

tonymedley.com Source: tonymedley.com

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Audience Reviews for The Front Page

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This is actually a remake of an older movie, which was a remake of an older movie too, so it's nothing new. It's pretty funny in some scenes, but that's about all I liked about it. It's pretty good, but it could be better.

September 5, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

"the front page" is the third time re-adaption of the stage play by ben hencht(who wrote the original scarface) and chas. macarthur. the first appearance on screen was in 1931, and the second time would be the most reputable one "his girl friday" in 1940 by howard hawks who had co-operated with hecht previously in

September 30, 2009