The Front Page
Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 18, 1974 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
62
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews
Positive:
3
Mixed:
5
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
The New YorkerPauline Kael
Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur's rowdy dream of newspaper life, first produced on the stage in 1928, seems to be foolproof, and the structure still stands up in this version, directed by Billy Wilder. But something singular and marvelous has been diminished to the sloppy ordinary.
60
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
The Front Page, with a featured spot by Carol Burnett, sure looks good on paper. But that's about the only place it looks good. The production has the slick, machine-tooled look of certain assembly line automobiles that never quite seem to work smoothly. Read full review
60
EmpireDavid Parkinson
Dated even at the time of release this nevertheless has a comic performance from Walter Matthau worth catching. Read full review
50
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
Quite simply vulgar in comparison to its predecessors (especially Hawks' brilliant His Girl Friday), it relies too much on foul language, inappropriate slapstick, and superficial cynicism. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
This slick remake of the ebullient original falls short of being the film it could have been, despite the presence of master filmmaker Wilder and his engaging costars. Read full review
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