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 Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Variety
Business
The summer after Barbenheimer and the strikes, Hollywood charts a new course
'' Barbenheimer '' is a hard act to follow. But as Hollywood enters another summer movie season, armed with fewer superheroes and a landscape vastly altered by the strikes, it's worth remembering the classic William Goldman quote about what works: ''Nobody knows anything.''
Variety
Publishing spinoff of 'Wednesday' has everything from tarot cards to 'Woeful Waffles'
Penguin Random House is teaming with Amazon MGM Studios on a series of books based on ''Wednesday,'' the Emmy-winning hit about young Wednesday Addams of Addams Family fame.
Business
The Biden administration is tweaking rules on airline fees and refunds, saying it'll help consumers
The Biden administration issued final rules Wednesday to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation.
Taste
3 hearty salads to kick off salad season
It's time to bring on lighter, brighter flavors and let the heavier foods hibernate.
Variety
Ask Amy: Late mom's behavior still an issue
Five years after mother's death, sister-in-law clings to bad feelings.