X
- 1974
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 45 m
- 1974
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 45 m
Summary As a tabloid newspaper editor tries to prevent his top reporter from retiring, an escaped death row convict shows up at the office trying to convey his innocence.
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Written By: Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur, I.A.L. Diamond, Billy Wilder
- 1974
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 45 m
- 1974
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 45 m
The Front Page
62
7.4
Where to Watch
Summary As a tabloid newspaper editor tries to prevent his top reporter from retiring, an escaped death row convict shows up at the office trying to convey his innocence.
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Written By: Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur, I.A.L. Diamond, Billy Wilder
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
62
38% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
63% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
62
38% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
63% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Billy Wilder's remake of The Front Page is a refreshing refurbishment for our time. [23 Dec 1974, p.71]
It is refreshing to find a director who is still making talkies instead of gawkies, and who thus still believes in the spoken word as a vehicle of expression. [23 Dec 1974, p.83]
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
The Front Page, with a featured spot by Carol Burnett, sure looks good on paper. But that's about the only place it looks good. The production has the slick, machine-tooled look of certain assembly line automobiles that never quite seem to work smoothly.
Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur's rowdy dream of newspaper life, first produced on the stage in 1928, seems to be foolproof, and the structure still stands up in this version, directed by Billy Wilder. But something singular and marvelous has been diminished to the sloppy ordinary.
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.
Quite simply vulgar in comparison to its predecessors (especially Hawks' brilliant His Girl Friday), it relies too much on foul language, inappropriate slapstick, and superficial cynicism.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 7 User Ratings
7.4
86% Positive
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
14% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 7 User Ratings
7.4
86% Positive
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
14% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company
Universal Pictures
Release Date Dec 18, 1974
Duration 1 h 45 m
Rating PG
Tagline They'd do anything for a story...and do.
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Nominations
Valladolid International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
David di Donatello Awards
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
