The Front Page Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

The Front Page Blu-ray Movie Review

A charming comedy from the great Billy Wilder (The Apartment)

Based upon the original play “The Front Page” as written by playwrights Ben Hecht (Spellbound) and Charles MacArthur (The Scoundrel), the storyline is one which has been adapted into the language of cinema several times over the years (including His Girl Friday). The screenplay to this 1974 film adaptation was written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond (The Apartment, Some Like It Hot). Executive produced by Jennings Lang (High Plains Drifter, The Nude Bomb), this madcap dark comedy is a testament to the strength of legendary comedic director Billy Wilder and his feverish funny-bone.

Hot-shot reporter Hildy Johnson (Jack Lemmon) feels ready to retire from the newspaper business and live a peaceful life with his soon-to-be wife Peggy Grant (Susan Sarandon). A life of ease seems to be calling Hildy's name but his fast (and furious!) editor Walter Burns (Walter Matthau) has other plans. As things start to shake up behind the scenes at the newspaper a major story starts to take shape: the skittish Earl Williams (Austin Pendleton) is set to be hanged for shooting a police officer. Burns is determined to get his best writer back for one “final” story.

The story continues to develop into something bigger as Williams possibly shot on accident (and there might be even more to the story). Sheriff (Vincent Gardenia) is preoccupied with election-season polls and Walter Burns suspects there's more to William's story that hasn't been heard yet. Meanwhile, the newspaper is now almost becoming a second-home to the erratic Mollie Malloy (Carol Burnett), a prostitute from the streets who is in love with Earl and doesn't want to see him hanged. Can Hildy create one last big story for the paper before hitching it out of town with his beautiful belle? If his editor has anything to say about it he will!

"Did someone mention an execution?"

Billy Wilder (Some Like it Hot, The Apartment) is a legend in comedy filmmaking. The director certainly knows how to have fun with the script and concept. Even with several other adaptations existing of the play Wilder still finds ways to make his version his own and it stylistically fits in with his other works nicely. The Front Page is quite humorous and entertaining and the directing is creative, energetic, and joyous. There is some beautiful cinematography by Jordan Cronenweth (Blade Runner) and the costumes designed by Burton Miller (Airport '77, Earthquake) leave a dinstictive mark on the filmmaking.

What really makes the film stand out is the leads. It's such a joy to see the cinematic reunion of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau with this fun outing. These gents have special comedic timing together and its great fun seeing them bounce off one another again. That's reason enough for this adaptation of The Front Page to exist and be cherished. Wilder brings out memorable performances from both of these stars and it's great to have the trio reunited. While it might be true that this version of The Front Page isn't ever going to be considered as a major classic (in the same way that His Girl Friday is) this is a wonderfully entertaining production with plenty of its own unique merits. Unmissable for fans of Lemmon and Matthau. Consider it worthy of the front page!

The Front Page Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray in North America for the first time, The Front Page is presented with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. Kino Lorber has given the film a generally strong presentation with the source video available. Although it is apparent that the film utilizes a dated master (and is not a fresh scan) it's remarkably clean, clear, and proficient in giving the film a high-definition boost. Scratches and dirt don't ail the print and the appearance of the cinematography is naturally filmic without detriments like DNR. This presentation is one which fully preserves the 35 mm Technicolor image well. While it may have looked somewhat better with a 4K scan, it's nice to see the visual improvements this Blu-ray does offer viewers.

The Front Page Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The film is presented with a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio mono audio soundtrack. This is certainly an impressive sound presentation that has excellent clarity and detail throughout. The dialogue is always clear and easy to understand. The music accompanying the film sounds clear, bright, and impressive. While the film might lack something in the way of bass production and sound-effects throughout the film are minimally used, The Front Page ultimately sounds fine for a film of its age.

Optional English subtitles are provided on the release.

The Front Page Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by film historians Michael Schlesinger and Mark Evanier

Interview with first assistant director Howard G. Kazanjian and assistant to Billy Wilder Rex McGee (HD, 21:45) is an insightful and informative supplemental feature focusing on the colleagues of the great Billy Wilder as they discuss the filmmaker, his body of work as director, and his response to The Front Page: the film was a huge failure at the box-office and reportedly Wilder was considering leaving films to write books instead after its lukewarm initial response. Even despite the films lackluster debut, The Front Page has garnered a fan-base over the years for its reunion of the great leading actors and its fun energy. It's terrific to hear these professionals discuss their involvement on the project. For anyone who has ever been a fan of Wilder (and this underrated gem), the extra is a must-see featurette.

Interview with actor Austin Pendleton (HD, 9:13) adds to the fun of the edition with some interesting insights from the actor who performed the soon-to-be-hanged misfit character. He reminisces on his time spent working on the project, shares some thoughts on the film (and his character), and shares details about what it was like working with Billy Wilder on the project.

Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:37) for The Front Page

Trailers for other releases from Kino Lorber (with an emphasis on other films directed by Billy Wilder): A Foreign Affair (SD, 1:01), Witness for the Prosecution (SD, 3:07), One, Two, Three (SD, 2:11), Irma La Douce (SD, 3:53), The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (SD, 3:00), Avanti! (SD, 2:39)

The Front Page Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Front Page is an entertaining film that merits viewing for its great reunion of The Odd Couple: Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The pair have great comedic chemistry together and this film showcases their unmistakable talents once again. Billy Wilder is also one of the best comedic filmmakers in the history of Hollywood cinema and getting to see the director have his fun with this take on the original play (most memorably adapted as His Girl Friday) makes the entire experience something worthwhile. Kino has done an admirable job with this Blu-ray presentation and there are insightful supplemental features included on the release which help to make the Blu-ray one which is well worth owning.