His Girl Friday 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "His Girl Friday" boasts a meticulously crafted video presentation that significantly outshines previous editions. Presented in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the film benefits immensely from a new 4K restoration based on fresh scans of the original 35mm nitrate negative, handled by Cineric, Inc. What stands out immediately is the enhancement in fine detail. Fabrics, textures, and minute details, such as the stitching in Cary Grant's suit, are notably more refined. This brings a heightened sense of realism and filmic quality that is markedly superior to the earlier 2017 Criterion edition. Grain is naturally preserved, contributing to an authentic cinematic experience, while the HEVC H.265 encode ensures that there are no visible artifacts or anomalies.

The high dynamic range (HDR) grades in both Dolby Vision and HDR10 further elevate the experience. Although the image appears slightly darker overall compared to traditional black and white presentations, this serves to enrich the contrast and depth of the picture. Black levels are deep and ink-like, while whites are crisp and clean, popping convincingly on screen. The gradation between tones is smooth, avoiding banding and noise. Specular highlights add an extra layer of visual flair, enhancing reflections and light sources throughout the film. Grayscale rendering sees appreciable improvement with nuanced gradients of blacks, grays, and whites, lending to a more visually pleasing black-and-white image without overblown highlights.

Overall, Sony's 4K presentation of "His Girl Friday" sets a new benchmark with its clarity and precision. Fine textures are pronounced, black levels are satisfyingly rich, and organic grain is consistently maintained, all contributing to an exceptional filmic presentation. This release is undoubtedly the definitive video transfer for this classic film.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "His Girl Friday" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track that stays true to the film’s original soundscape while significantly enhancing its clarity. The audio track is derived from the original optical tracks on the nitrate negative with meticulous restoration work conducted at Deluxe Audio Services in Hollywood. Dialogues are crisp, intelligible, and remain front and center, providing an immersive auditory experience. This clarity extends to the ambient sounds, enriching scenes with the bustling newsroom environment and subtle city noises that contribute to a broader soundstage.

Sony's fidelity to the source material is evident in their retention of the era-specific audio characteristics, maintaining the historical charm without compromise. Despite being 84 years old, the restoration has effectively eliminated clicks and pops, with hiss and background noise reduced to near imperceptible levels. While it naturally retains some of the tinny quality inherent in vintage films, this only adds to the authenticity, making audio artifacts minimal and the overall storytelling experience remarkably engaging.

Vocals are delivered with excellent inflection, ensuring performances are captured with nuance across a clean mid-range spectrum. Although the mix does not extend deeply into higher frequencies, it presents a warm and detailed audio profile that enhances the visual elements. The result is a faithful yet improved sound mix that foregrounds dialogue while subtly amplifying supporting audio cues, providing a rich auditory experience that aligns seamlessly with the film’s dynamic pacing and visual storytelling.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "His Girl Friday" offers an impressive array of extras on the included Blu-ray disc, essential for any cinephile interested in classic Hollywood. The bonus materials provide a comprehensive look at the film's production, its lightning-fast dialogue, and the creative forces behind its success. Highlights include an insightful audio commentary by film critic Todd McCarthy, who delves into the film's background, production nuances, and Howard Hawks' directorial style. Features like "Screwball Style" explore the iconic costumes, while "Lighting Up with Hildy Johnson" offers a detailed video essay on Hawks' career. Other extras focus on key contributors such as writer Ben Hecht and stars Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, enriching the viewer's understanding of this classic screwball comedy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful perspectives from film critic and author Todd McCarthy.
• Screwball Style: Discussion on Robert Kalloch's iconic costume designs.
• Breaking the Speed Barrier: Examination of the film's rapid-fire dialogue.
• Lighting Up with Hildy Johnson: Video essay by film scholar David Bordwell on Howard Hawks' filmmaking.
• Ben Hecht: Analysis of the prolific writer's career by David Brendel.
• On Assignment: Archive featurette with critical praise.
• Cary Grant: Making Headlines: Brief retrospective on Cary Grant's career.
• Rosalind Russell: The Inside Scoop: Overview of Rosalind Russell's film contributions.
• Howard Hawks: Reporter's Notebook: Examination of Howard Hawks' cinematic impact.
• The Funny Pages: Featurette on playwrights Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur.
• Vintage Advertising: Slideshow of historical promotional materials.
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Re-Release Trailer

"His Girl Friday" (1940), directed by Howard Hawks, maintains its reputation as a cinematic treasure within the Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 4. The film is a spirited remake of The Front Page, reinterpreted with clever gender-switched roles. Set against the frenetic backdrop of the newspaper industry’s chaotic environment, Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell deliver inimitable performances that draw viewers into their characters' complex dynamics. Their chemistry as Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson is palpable, supported by Charles Lederer and Ben Hecht's brilliantly adapted dialogue that showcases rapid-fire wit and a seamless back-and-forth rhythm. The dialogue's pacing, paired with Hawks' adept use of overlapping speech, serves to enhance the film’s dynamic energy, especially during pivotal moments of the plot.

Technically, this Ultra HD Blu-ray release is impressive. Presented in a two-disc combo pack, the film benefits significantly from 4K HDR visuals and legacy Dolby Digital stereo audio, providing a more immersive viewing experience. The nuanced performances, particularly those of Gene Lockhart and Clarence Kolb as the crooked politicos, and key supporting actors like John Qualen, Ralph Bellamy, and Helen Mack, are complemented by the enhanced picture and sound quality. The delicate balance Hawks maintains between lengthy takes and agile editing contributes to the overall theatrical yet polished feel of the film. While straightforward in his direction, Hawks ensures that the narrative's breathless pace and electrifying twists are unmissable.

In summary, "His Girl Friday" on 4K UHD Blu-ray continues to captivate with its stellar casting and masterful script adaptation. Each technical upgrade enhances the timeless elegance and enduring charm of this classic screwball comedy, cementing its place as an essential piece of cinematic history.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "His Girl Friday" offers an excellent modernization of Howard Hawks's classic romantic-comedy, preserving its timeless charm while enhancing its visual appeal. Based on Ben Hecht's play The Front Page, the film stars Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell as a pair of newspaper reporters who, in the midst of chasing a sensational story, rediscover their feelings for one another. The modern 4K restoration features a stunning Dolby Vision HDR presentation that breathes new life into the film's visuals, though it retains the original mono DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack faithfully.

While the Sony release boasts remarkable video quality, it does fall short on some bonus features that were present in the 2017 Criterion Blu-ray, such as interviews with Hawks and adaptations of The Front Page. Despite the absence of these extras, the overall package remains compelling and highly recommended. It's particularly notable for those who wish to experience this film in its best possible presentation, ensuring that die-hard fans and new viewers alike will find substantial value in this release.

Sharp, light on its feet and surprisingly quick-witted, His Girl Friday is the timely catalog classic you didn't know you needed. Not only is the film a blast, Sony's video presentation is terrific, its DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix is faithful to a T, and its extras are, for the most part, quite good. Enjoy discovering His Girl Friday and wondering how you've never seen it before now. (Unless you've been in the know for some time!)