Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List
Spoiler-free premise
A newspaper editor tries to stop his star reporter and former wife from leaving journalism to remarry.
Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free+
Newspaper editor Walter Burns learns that star reporter and former wife Hildy Johnson plans to marry insurance man Bruce Baldwin and leave journalism. Walter entangles her in convicted murderer Earl Williams's story while repeatedly obstructing the couple's departure.
Why it belongs
Through overlapping dialogue, newsroom movement, and Grant and Russell's competitive delight, His Girl Friday underscores reporting and remarriage as one breathless machine.
Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case+
Telephones, typewriters, pressroom doors, prison gallows, political favors, and dialogue delivered over interruptions make work inseparable from flirtation; Rosalind Russell matches Cary Grant's speed without yielding the scene.
Major award wins
No verified wins in this six-institution crosswalk.
Awards are reference metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Good for
Film Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.
Institutional reference ranks
Sight & Sound129IMDb Top 250—AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score
Great Cinema Master List scores
Greatness9.3
Engagement7.3
Ease7.8
English · Not Rated Narrative Feature Mood: Funny & Bittersweet
