The Front Page (1931 film)

The Front Page is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy-drama film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Adolphe Menjou and Pat O'Brien. It is based on the 1928 play of the same name by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. The film tells the story of Hildy Johnson, a star reporter for a Chicago newspaper who is planning to quit the business and get married, but is drawn back into the world of scoops and deadlines when a sensational murder case breaks.

The screenplay was written by Bartlett Cormack, Charles Lederer, and Ben Hecht (uncredited). The Front Page is notable for its fast-paced dialogue, cynical humor, and depiction of the gritty world of newspaper journalism. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor (Adolphe Menjou), and Best Director.

The film is considered a classic of the early sound era and has been remade several times, including His Girl Friday (1940) starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, and a 1974 film also titled The Front Page starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The 1931 version is generally regarded as the most faithful adaptation of the original play. It captures the frenetic energy and sardonic wit of the source material. The film’s popularity helped solidify the play’s place in American theatrical history and established certain tropes associated with journalism in popular culture.