His Girl Friday Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation of Howard Hawks' "His Girl Friday" boasts an impressive 1080p transfer presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. Extensively restored, the transfer originates from a new 35mm fine-grain master positive extracted from the nitrate original camera negative and scanned on a Spirit DataCine film scanner. Places where the original negative was damaged utilized duplicate 35mm material. Technicolor in Los Angeles and Deluxe in Culver City undertook meticulous manual removal of thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps. Additional color grading at Deluxe and audio restoration at Chace Audio by Deluxe ensures an experience that preserves the film’s authentic feel while enhancing clarity and stability.

The visual quality of this release is notably exceptional, delivering depth and clarity with remarkable stability. Although minor density fluctuations and slight issues with black level elevation result in occasional light crush, the overall balance remains impressive. The film’s organic grain structure is predominantly well-resolved, albeit constrained by a few source limitations. A solid grayscale range and absence of distracting artifacts like large cuts or stains underscore the success of the restoration efforts. Achieving superb sharpness and outstanding grayscale rendering throughout, Criterion’s "His Girl Friday" is free from any significant age-related imperfections, making it a highly commendable presentation with a visual score of 4.25/5.00.

The audio presentation of "His Girl Friday" on Blu-ray is anchored by an English LPCM 1.0 track. This lossless track exhibits a clear and stable sound without any noticeable age-related deterioration such as hiss, crackle, flutter, or hum. The remastering has evidently been executed meticulously, ensuring that clarity and depth are consistent throughout the film.

The balance of the audio is well-maintained, which is critical given the dialogue-heavy nature of the film. While the dynamic intensity might be modest, it effectively serves the content's needs without overshadowing the performers' rapid exchanges. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided, ensuring accessibility without compromising the viewing experience.

Compared to other early sound films presented in PCM 1.0 at 1.1 Mbps, "His Girl Friday" stands out with superior fidelity. This is particularly apparent against contemporaneous films like "The Front Page," which was recorded during an earlier era of sound technology and therefore lacks the same clarity. Nevertheless, both films deliver precise and clean dialogue, attributable to diligent restoration efforts.

Criterion's Blu-ray edition of "His Girl Friday" offers a comprehensive set of extras that significantly enhance the viewing experience. The highlight is a series of insightful interviews and featurettes that provide in-depth analysis and historical context about the film and its creators. Included are extensive clips from interviews with Howard Hawks, detailed explorations into the differences between "His Girl Friday" and "The Front Page," and archival material detailing the careers of key figures like Rosalind Russell and Ben Hecht. Additionally, the disc includes notable radio adaptations and a well-designed leaflet providing further critical insight.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original restored trailer for "His Girl Friday."
• Teaser: Original teaser trailer for "His Girl Friday."
• Hawks on Hawks: Audio conversations between Howard Hawks and Peter Bogdanovich.
• Lux Radio Theatre: 1940 radio adaptation of "His Girl Friday."
• Featurettes: Four short archival featurettes on the film's history and legacy.
• Lighting Up with Hildy Johnson: Visual essay on Howard Hawks' auteur qualities.
• The Front Page (1931): Lewis Milestone's original film.
• Restoring The Front Page: Focus on the 4K restoration process.
• Ben Hecht: Documentary on the prolific writer.
• Radio Theater: Two radio adaptations of "The Front Page."
• Two Leaflets: Essays and technical credits for both films.

Howard Hawks' "His Girl Friday" (1940) arrives on Blu-ray through Criterion, presenting a brilliant adaptation of the Ben Hecht-Charles MacArthur play "The Front Page". The film features stellar performances from Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, who perfectly encapsulate their roles as Walter Burns, a savvy newspaper editor, and Hildy Johnson, a sharp reporter attempting to leave the chaotic world of journalism. The plot, driven by Walter's attempts to prevent Hildy from remarrying and leaving for Albany, showcases rapid-fire dialogue, overlapping conversations, and comedic yet biting social criticism, making it a quintessential screwball comedy. The Criterion set enriches the experience with archival materials, including trailers, taped conversations between Hawks and Peter Bogdanovich, and insightful essays by film scholars.

"His Girl Friday" is noted for its unrelenting pace and Hawks' deft directorial touch. The transformation of Hildy Johnson from a male character in the original play to a female adds an irresistible layer of sexual tension and witty banter, enhanced by Charles Lederer's screenplay adaptation. The frenetic energy, overlapping lines, and chaos reflect the brutal world of journalism, establishing an engaging dynamic among characters. The film's technical aspects, including Hawks' use of long takes and strategic quick editing during pivotal moments, emphasize the theatrical roots while maintaining cinematic fluidity. Additionally, the inclusion of secondary players with their own ambitious agendas enriches the narrative complexity.

This release also includes Lewis Milestone's 1931 version of "The Front Page", scanned in 4K and restored. While both films share the same foundational play, "His Girl Friday" distinguishes itself through its fast-paced humor and dynamic character conflicts. The Blu-ray presentation highlights these differences while celebrating each film's unique attributes, ensuring they remain staples in the genre of comedic cinema.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Howard Hawks' "His Girl Friday" is an outstanding showcase of this timeless classic. The film itself is a masterpiece of comic invention and social commentary, brilliantly reflecting the media environment of the 1940s—a reflection that still rings true today. This two-disc set not only features an exquisite 4K restoration of "His Girl Friday" but also the first-ever home video release of the American cut of Lewis Milestone's 1931 film "The Front Page." This pairing offers unparalleled historical context and makes for a rich, immersive viewing experience.

The technical quality of the Blu-ray is exemplary. The new restoration significantly enhances the visual and audio elements, offering crisp black-and-white cinematography and clear dialogue that revitalizes the film's rapid-fire wit and dynamic performances. Furthermore, the selection of supplemental features is extensive and thoughtfully curated. Both newly produced and archival materials provide hours of insightful content, supporting deeper appreciation and critical study of Hawks' directorial craftsmanship and the film’s thematic intricacies.

Howard Hawks' "His Girl Friday" is an effective reminder that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Indeed, it is a brilliant comedy with a remarkable social awareness whose main observations about the media business during the 1940s can just as easily be used to describe contemporary media and its many disgraced 'professional' players. In addition to "His Girl Friday," this upcoming two-disc set features a new 4K restoration of Lewis Milestone's original film "The Front Page," as well as an impressive selection of newly produced and archival supplemental features. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.