The Front Page

Raucous, irreverent, and remarkably funny, The Front Page is a landmark in cinema history - a brilliantly orchestrated, high-speed satire that set the standard for the countless screwball comedies that followed in its wake. But few films can match the risque flavor and the relentless pace of the masterpiece that spawned an entire genre, earning Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Adolphe Menjou), and Best Director (Lewis Milestone), as well as a spot on the esteemed National Film Registry. Based on the wildly successful (and controversial) play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, The Front Page follows hard-boiled crime reporter Hildy Johnson (Pat O'Brien) who has vowed to quit the business and marry his new sweetheart (Mary Brian). But when a political radical (George E. Stone) escapes from custody on the eve of his hanging, the reporter's room is plunged into comedic chaos, and Hildy's brash editor (Menjou) sees it as an opportunity to manipulate the reporter into staying. Special Features: Mastered in HD from 35mm elements preserved by the Library of Congress, Short documentary on the film preservation efforts of the Library of Congress, Audio commentary by film historian Bret Wood, 1937 Radio adaptation starring Walter Winchell, presented by Cecil B. DeMille (60 min.), 1946 Radio adaptation starring Adolphe Menjou and Pat O'Brien (30 min.)