The Front Page

"A Picture That Has Cracked This Shock-Proof Town Wide Open!"

Apr 4 1931 Approved 1h 41m
Comedy, Crime, Drama

Hildy Johnson is an investigative reporter looking for a bigger paycheck. When an accused murderer escapes from custody, Hildy sees an opportunity for the story of a lifetime. But when he finds the criminal, he learns that the man may not be guilty. With the help of his editor, Hildy attempts to hide the convict, uncover the conspiracy and write the scoop of his career.

Plot

Hildy Johnson, newspaper reporter, is engaged to Peggy Grant and planning to move to New York for a higher paying advertising job. The court press room is full of lame reporters who invent stories as much as write them. All are waiting to cover the hanging of Earl Williams. When Williams escapes from the inept Sheriff, Hildy seizes the opportunity by using his $260 honeymoon money to payoff an insider and get the scoop on the escape. However, Walter Burns, the Post's editor, is slow to repay Hildy back, hoping that he will stay on the story. Getting a major scoop looks possible when Hildy stumbles onto the bewildered escapee and hides him in a roll-top desk in the press room. Burns shows up to help. Can they keep Williams' whereabouts secret long enough to get the scoop, especially with the Sheriff and other reporters hovering around?

Written by

Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur, Bartlett Cormack

Directed by

Lewis Milestone

Cast

Adolphe Menjou, Pat O'Brien, Mary Brian

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

The Caddo Company

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 3 Oscars. 2 wins & 3 nominations total

Trailers
Front Page Trailer
Scores
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3,638
Average Rating
6.7 out of 10
Metascore
76
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