Scheming journalists, lying politicians, conniving cops? It's not your Facebook feed. It's Howard Hawks' classic 1940 farce, "His Girl Friday," as timely as ever in a new Criterion Blu-ray.
Amid rat-a-tat-tat dialogue, newspaper editor Cary Grant and reporter Rosalind Russell chase a big story about a death-row inmate's pending execution while pretending they're not still an item. Escalating current events and her ever-present fiance (Ralph Bellamy) complicate matters.
Criterion's typically abundant extras include a doozy: a restored version of the 1931 cinematic predecessor, "The Front Page," which has inspired many other adaptations over the decades. For those hankering for something closer to the original stage production, there are two 1930s-40s radio broadcasts of "The Front Page," plus an hourlong 1940 Lux Radio broadcast based on "His Girl Friday." Various supplements delve into the audio/video makeover and Hawks' visual storytelling, among other subjects. Really, the only things missing are commentary tracks.
But enthusiasts will find much worthwhile material to explore, right down to the insert that mimics a printed newpaper.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Variety
World
London home Freddie Mercury bought in 1980 is for sale, minus his 'exquisite clutter'
Freddie Mercury 's sanctuary in London, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century — minus his ''exquisite clutter.''
Variety
Book Review: 'Newshawks in Berlin' illustrates tough choices news organizations face in wartime
Journalism is often referred to as the first draft of history, especially when covering war and international conflicts.
World
A new Banksy mural sprouts beside a cropped tree in London. Many see an environmental message
A new Banksy mural drew crowds to a London street on Monday, even before the elusive graffiti artist confirmed that the work was his.
Nation
Movie armorer challenges conviction in fatal shooting of cinematographer by Alec Baldwin
A movie set armorer is challenging her conviction on an involuntary manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western film ''Rust,'' court records released Monday show.
Nation
Singer R. Kelly seeks appeals court relief from 30-year prison term
R. Kelly's lawyer told an appeals court Monday that all kinds of legitimate organizations — even college fraternities — could be deemed racketeering organizations under a law used to convict the R&B superstar at his Brooklyn trial of sexually abusing young fans, including children, for decades.