The Front Page

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 ...more

By 1974, cinematic standards regarding profanity had relaxed enough that a dialogue-faithful version of the famous play +The Front Page could finally hit the screen. Legendary director Billy Wilder, with his quick wit, impeccable sense of timing, and masterful blend of cynicism and romance, seemed the natural choice for the assignment of bringing this classic to the screen, and he certainly made wise casting decisions for most of the roles. But what seemed like a perfect picture on paper somehow ...more