The film His Girl Friday is all fun and games -- but there is some sharp social satire at the same time. Major social institutions such as journalism, politics and marriage are skewered with clever lines and absurd situations. What is the film telling us about at least one of these institutions (if you want to write about marriage and divorce see the the companion post)? Is it corrupt or crooked? Under siege? What, exactly, is the problem or critique?
The 1940 film, His Girl Friday, conveys an idea to the audience that journalism is not a noble occupation, as the journalist in the film are willing to lie and commit crimes to get a desirable story. Right after Earl William’s initial escape from the police, different journalist all start making calls to give the story on what happened. None of the journalists saw the escape, but they lie, each crafting unique stories as if they were there. This depicts the press as a dishonest entity held up by the lies of people who care about money more than the truth. Hildy Johnson, the film’s protagonist, is the one journalist who cares about the truth, but she breaks the law to get it. After Earl William enters the room, holding Hildy at gunpoint, she is tempted by the thought of a big scoop. This temptation leads her to break the law and hide a fugitive in a rolltop desk. This reveals that journalists are willing to stymie the progress of a police investigation to get a good story. Walter Burns, a newspaper editor and the ex-husband of Hildy, is also willing to break the law to coerce Hildy into getting him a story. An example of one of his crimes is casually transferring counterfeit money to Bruce, resulting in the most innocent character in the film being put in jail. This is a comedic element of screwball comedy, but also a discreet way to discredit journalism, as a newspaper editor effectively puts an innocent man in a jail cell. Overall, every character associated with journalism in the film is flawed in a way that depicts journalism and the press as dishonest.
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ReplyDeleteThrough the use of comedy and satire, His Girl Friday paints the political state of the world as a corrupt and unjust place. Throughout the film, we see politicians and people in power using the wealth they have gained and their social standing to skew public opinions of them while suppressing their opposition. This fact is so prevalent that it drives the story as a whole forwards, with the seemingly wrongful conviction and soon to be execution of an innocent man. The audience sees it for themselves as we are told time and time again that they are only hanging Earl Williams for the sake of the press and that it didn't matter if he was innocent or not. This outlook on politics is just one of multiple corrupt institutions called out in the film, but it has the greatest impact apart from maybe journalism. That idea shows the importance and gravity of the situation overall. Both politicians and journalists are fighting against one another in the film, and yet neither of them seem to care about Earl Williams, the man himself. It shows that the common man is the victim as the world around them is so corrupt and unjust. They are pawns, whether it be to extend a political standing or to sell more newspapers.
ReplyDeleteIn the 1940 film His Girl Friday, politicians and government bodies (particularly law enforcement) are portrayed as both corrupt and incapable. Politicians are susceptible to bribes – for example, the mayor takes a bribe from Hildy and gives her information. Members of law enforcement are quite cruel and unintelligent. The hanging of Earl Williams is made out to be no more than an event (either purely for entertainment or something that just needs to get done) by some of the politicians as well as the sheriff himself. Earl Williams is also interviewed one last time before his hanging to see if he is sane or not, as it will determine whether or not the execution will actually still happen. During this interview, an officer gave Williams his gun (which still had ammunition) and Williams was able to shoot his way out and escape – which shows how the movie portrays law enforcement as stupid. The escapee goes to the press room and is met by Hildy, who keeps him hidden – and eventually, some politicians and others who are looking for him show up. They don’t notice a broken window and even mention that Williams could be in the very building that they’re in (which he was). The reason that Williams was caught again was not because of investigation and smarts, but because of Walter, and his accidental three knocks (which was a code) on the hiding place. Law enforcement found him out of sheer coincidence, which clearly demonstrates the kind of humorous light the movie casts on them.
ReplyDeleteThe 1940 screwball comedy His Girl Friday delivers a humorous critique of the corrupt world of journalism, through its portrayal of the press. The film depicts journalists as sensationalist and ruthless, ready to employ any means necessary to deliver a captivating story. The story follows Hildy Johnson, a former journalist, and her ex-husband, Walter Burns, as they work together to cover a major breaking news story. One of the first insights occurs when Hildy visits the Press Room. The men are smoking, gambling, and talking among themselves, which sets the precedent that these men are somewhat shady for the rest of the film. Captivated by the story of, Earl Willaims, a soon–to–be–killed death row inmate, the journalists scramble to uncover the news. Hildy visits Earl in the prison but is stopped by a guard stating that no visits are to be taken. She bribed the guard and proceeded with the investigation. Further, she exploits Earl Williams into sounding crazy for a thrilling story and to save Williams as he could then plead insanity. Although with good intentions, Hildy is willing to bribe and twist the story to her benefit. Much later in the film, Earl Williams sneaks into the press room to talk with Hildy; knowing she can unveil a riveting story first, she hides Williams in a desk while the other Journalists return from investigating leads. Mistakenly, it’s discovered Williams is on the desk. The sheriff directs his pistol at the desk shouting while the journalists stand eagerly, telephones with news editors on the other side pressed against their ears. Even when the sheriff says he’s going to fire blindly into the desk, none of the press intervenes–except Hildy. The journalists are even willing to let a man be killed if it offers an interesting story. After capturing Williams the shot pans around where the journalists report wildly divergent versions of an event; one says he fought back but the police overpowered him, another says he was unconscious, another says he gave up, and another says his gun jammed while trying to shoot the officers. The journalists are all seen to be deceitful and manipulative in order to get the information they need, this includes lying to their sources. This climactic scene highlights the dishonesty and lying involved in the press Overall, these absurd antics portray journalism as a scummy profession, filled with manipulation, bribery, and dishonesty. Overall, the movie satirizes the unethicality of journalism and portrays the profession as one comprised of bribes, deceit, and devious behavior.
ReplyDeleteThe 1940 film His Girl Friday is a screwball comedy that criticizes and satirizes journalism, politics, and marriage through its plot and character traits. The film portrays journalism as a highly competitive and unethical profession. Hildy Johnson is a reporter for the newspaper “The Morning Post”, and her editor, Walter Burns, desperately wants her to keep her job at the paper and not get married to another man. He determines that unethical tactics such as blackmail and manipulation are the best way to keep his favorite journalist: Hildy. This is demonstrated through sending his workers to detain Hildy’s fiance and ultimately prolong Hildy’s stay at the paper. This exposes the corrupt and power-hungry side of journalism and shows how morality can be disregarded when on the cusp of a good story. An example of immorality is how each of the journalists would create different stories. The content of the report didn’t matter to them; they were satisfied as long as they were the first to get the story in. Political satire also is depicted throughout the film through the arrest of Earl Williams and through the corruption of the mayor, governor, and police. Earl Williams is accused of murder and the mayor, governor, and police take extensive actions to prevent his release. This shows how hypocritical and insincere these characters are, as they worry more about how they look to other people than actually exposing the truth. In the end, these characters aren’t reliable in bringing justice and Hildy has to uncover the truth herself, revealing the political corruption as well. The film also criticizes marriage. Hilty and Walter are both imperfect partners; both of them are too occupied with their own work at the paper to focus any attention on their partner. Walter tries to prevent Hildy from leaving him using any method necessary, demonstrating a double standard in relationships where a man can manipulate a woman however he would like and she should always stay loyal, similar to in the newspaper business. His Girl Friday satirizes three major social constructs: power dynamics, corruption, and relationships, and condemns the unethical parts of each one.
ReplyDeleteThe 1940 film, His Girl Friday by Howard Hawks portrays the idea that journalism is an immoral carrier due to the ability and their decisions to take immoral actions that oppose the true goal of journalism, to spread the truth to the general public. Howard Hanks displays this immorality of the journalist by showing how they are willing to do anything to get information. When Earl Williams escapes from prison, to get the information on what happened, Hildy Johnson uses bribery to get information and ends up giving 400 dollars for the information. This shows how she was willing to do whatever to get the information for a story and that the story was the most important thing. Later, when Walter Burns is going to reimburse her for the money that she had given up for the story, he decides to use counterfeit money so he wouldn’t have to give up his actual money, even though she was currently working for him. This shows how journalists are willing to betray anyone for their own benefit. After Earl Williams is recaptured by the police, the journalists start telling their papers very different stories that are all far from the truth. One of the journalists stated that there was a big struggle when it was visually shown how he gave himself up with ease when he was discovered. This shows how journalists are willing to change the story to make it more interesting for their audience rather than just spreading the truth. Howard Hanks uses this film, to portray that journalists are immoral.
ReplyDeleteHis Girl Friday portrays the journalism industry as amoral and corrupt through the dishonesty and cruelty of the journalists in the film. The film follows the main characters, Hildy Johnson and Walter Burns, both journalists, as Walter tries to convince and trap Hildy into remaining at her job at the Morning Post before she leaves to marry and start a family with her fiance Bruce. Simultaneously, the local newspaper circle is struck by a radical story of the scheduled execution of a potentially innocent man, Earl Williams. As the protagonists juggle these two situations, the film gives insight into the heinous truths of the journalism industry. One of the ways that journalists are used to paint the industry in a negative light is their inhuman handling of the Earl Williams case. In the film, a woman named Mollie Malloy comes to the journalists to discuss their false portrayal of her relationship with Earl. When she arrives, the journalists poke fun at her for caring about Earl and make light of his execution. In addition, the paper they had written described Mollie as being in love with Earl, invalidating her testimony of his good character and innocence. This is used to demonstrate how journalists are uncaring about others or justice in general and that they will sacrifice the truth for a good story. In addition to the journalists’ handling of Earl Williams’ execution, Walter’s character is used to demonstrate how the industry is corrupt and shady. Throughout the film, Walter frequently pulls shady stunts to prevent Hildy from leaving, which almost always negatively affect others. Three times in the movie, Walter plans the arrest of Bruce for various crimes. First, he has a stolen watch planted on Walter’s person and then tips off the authorities. The second time, he sends a woman to get Bruce arrested for solicitation. Finally, he gives Bruce counterfeit money, which leads to his third arrest. Walter, as the editor of the Morning Post, is a respected and influential member of the journalistic community. His shifty and unethical behavior demonstrates how the journalism industry is corrupt and compromised of untrustworthy individuals. His Girl Friday uses the characterization of journalists as unfaithful to the truth and uncaring about others to demonstrate how the journalism industry is corrupt and amoral.
ReplyDeleteOverall, this film is a massive satire of a lot of institutions, but one of the biggest is probably of journalism. Throughout the course of the film, the actions and behavior of the journalists and individuals associated with them are downright deplorable and disgusting in a realistic context. Thankfully, since this film is lighthearted and more of a satire then a black comedy, these individuals are more portrayed as rascals then genuinely harmful people. Even with this being the case, the satirical portrayal of journalists in the film is a statement that journalists can be pretty nasty people. There are a lot of situations that can demonstrate these negative qualities, but I believe the best one is when the woman jumps out of the window. Beforehand, the journalists had bullied and teased her for just interacting with Mr. Williams, and so she is rightly at her breaking point. And once she jumps out of the window, it feels like nobody really cares. But, as the camera shows that she's still moving, all of the journalists in the room light up and run downstairs to go heckle for information. In the context of this movie, it can show the lack of self-awareness that journalists have, but most importantly the disregard for human safety and dignity that stereotypical journalists carry in droves. By making these journalists stereotypical archetypes of the worst aspects of the industry in a funny and light-hearted way, the film is able to criticize their behavior through letting the audience observe the absurdity of the situation through their own eyes: The fundamental core of satirical media. Their behaviors aren't caricatured to ridiculous proportions, but kept roughly in line with the worst of the journalist industry and inserted into a comedic film.
ReplyDeleteThe film "His Girl Friday" is a humorous satire poking at many topics, including politics and journalism, and supposedly relationships, but since I've never been in one I would not know if it is a satire or not. In all seriousness, the movie is a massive poke at politics, and the fact that many people are willing to lose and put down everything that they have supporting them to further their carriers. The line "He'd hang his mother to get re-elected" clearly shows not only that politicians are willing to use subvert and unethical means, but also the depreciating trust of politicians. During this time, especially in the decades prior due to the Great Depression, trust in politicians quickly dissolved into nothing. Several hundred people started to distrust politicians, especially those that had promised a positive economic gain. Now they were living in an economic depression unlike one seen before - how would they justify this? Not only this, due to continued failures especially among the poor, and the view that politics was for rich people only, trust in politics kept on rapidly falling, as shown in the movie's critique on politicians. Not only this, the film made fun of the way that politicians put each other down. Many politicians use something called "opposition research" to deride them and make them look untrustworthy, often causing irreparable damage. Things like evidences of drug use, cheating, and laundering could be away that people use opposition research. "His Girl Friday" also shows the endemic usage of putting people down to use for politics. Not only this, recently, to look likeable to the more progressive generation, many politicians on purpose place diverse regiments on their political ticket, only to fire them instantly when they get into office (atleast South Koreans are starting to do this). The film "His Girl Friday" clearly shows the failures, unethicality, and deplorable actions of many politicians.
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ReplyDeleteHis Girl Friday, offers a sharp social satire of major institutions in society, including journalism, politics, and marriage. While the film is entertaining, it also provides a critical examination of these institutions, exposing their flaws and offering a satirical critique of their practices. The film's critiques the industry of journalism and politics, and reveals themes and the consequences of political corruption and dishonesty.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, His Girl Friday presents politics as a corrupt and dishonest institution that is more concerned with maintaining power than serving the public. The film's portrayal of the political system is cynical and satirical, highlighting the hypocrisy and double-dealing that takes place behind closed doors. The character of Mayor Peters is a prime example of this corruption. Peters is a corrupt politician who is more interested in maintaining his power and influence than serving the people of his city. He is shown as being willing to do whatever it takes to win an election, including using underhanded tactics and making promises that he has no intention of keeping. The film's critique of politics is multifaceted, but one of its primary concerns is the corruption that can occur when politicians are more concerned with power than serving their constituents. By portraying Peters as a cynical and manipulative politician, the film suggests that politics is a game that is rigged in favor of those who are already in power. This theme is especially relevant today, as many people are disillusioned with the political system and believe that it is dominated by corrupt politicians who are more concerned with their own interests than the needs of the people they are supposed to represent.
Secondly, His Girl Friday also critiques the media's role in politics, showing how journalists can be complicit in perpetuating political corruption. The film depicts the media as being more interested in sensationalism than truth, and it suggests that this can have negative consequences for democracy. For example, Walter Burns, the editor of The Morning Post, is shown as being willing to use any means necessary to get a story, including breaking laws, making up lies and fabricating facts. He is more interested in generating controversy than reporting the truth, and this leads to him becoming complicit in the mayor’s corrupt schemes. The film also suggests that the media has a responsibility to report the truth and hold politicians accountable, but that this can be difficult when they are more interested in generating headlines than in reporting the facts. His Girl Friday critiques the media's role in perpetuating political corruption, and it suggests that responsible journalism is essential for democracy to function properly.
His Girl Friday highlights the corruption and dishonesty that can occur in these institutions, and it suggests that a commitment to ethics and truth is essential for them to function properly. Its themes and critiques are just as relevant today as they were when the film was made, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible reporting and ethical leadership in a democratic society.