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His Girl Friday poster

His Girl Friday (1940)

“They're at each other's throats when they're not in each other's arms!”

7.4/10 · 980 votes 1h 32m nr ComedyRomanceDramaCrime

#6 of 8 films from 1940 #378 of 2885 in comedy

Directed by Howard Hawks · Written by Charles Lederer, Ben Hecht

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Walter Burns is an irresistibly conniving newspaper publisher desperate to woo back his paper’s star reporter, who also happens to be his estranged wife. She’s threatening to quit and settle down with a new beau, but, as Walter knows, she has a weakness: she can’t resist a juicy scoop.

Cast

Cary Grantas Walter Burns
Rosalind Russellas Hildy Johnson
Ralph Bellamyas Bruce Baldwin
Gene Lockhartas Sheriff Hartwell
Helen Mackas Mollie Malloy
Porter Hallas Murphy
Ernest Truexas Bensinger
Billy Gilbertas Joe Pettibone
Cliff Edwardsas Endicott
Clarence Kolbas Mayor
Roscoe Karnsas McCue
Frank Jenksas Wilson
Regis Toomeyas Sanders
Abner Bibermanas Louie

Facts

Release dateJanuary 18, 1940
Runtime92 min (1h 32m) — shorter as the 1940 average of 113 min
GenresComedy, Romance, Drama, Crime
LanguageEN
IMDbtt0032599

More from Howard Hawks

Rio BravoRio Bravo1959 · ★ 7.8 · 2h 21m The Big SleepThe Big Sleep1946 · ★ 7.6 · 1h 54m Bringing Up BabyBringing Up Baby1938 · ★ 7.5 · 1h 42m To Have and Have NotTo Have and Have Not1945 · ★ 7.5 · 1h 40m ScarfaceScarface1932 · ★ 7.4 · 1h 33m El DoradoEl Dorado1966 · ★ 7.4 · 2h 6m Gentlemen Prefer BlondesGentlemen Prefer Blondes1953 · ★ 7.3 · 1h 31m Red RiverRed River1948 · ★ 7.3 · 2h 13m

If you liked His Girl Friday

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Modern TimesModern Times1936 · ★ 8.3 · 1h 27m The Shop Around the CornerThe Shop Around the Corner1940 · ★ 8.1 · 1h 39m NotoriousNotorious1946 · ★ 7.7 · 1h 43m The Big SleepThe Big Sleep1946 · ★ 7.6 · 1h 54m The Rules of the GameThe Rules of the Game1939 · ★ 7.5 · 1h 50m SpellboundSpellbound1945 · ★ 7.4 · 1h 51m ScarfaceScarface1932 · ★ 7.4 · 1h 33m CasablancaCasablanca1943 · ★ 8.1 · 1h 42m

Questions

How long is His Girl Friday?
His Girl Friday runs 92 minutes (1h 32m).
Is His Girl Friday worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.4/10 across 980 votes, which places it #6 of 8 films released in 1940 in this index (top 38%) and #378 among 2885 comedy titles.
Who directed His Girl Friday?
His Girl Friday was directed by Howard Hawks. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Rio Bravo (1959), The Big Sleep (1946), Bringing Up Baby (1938).
Who stars in His Girl Friday?
Cary Grant as Walter Burns; Rosalind Russell as Hildy Johnson; Ralph Bellamy as Bruce Baldwin; Gene Lockhart as Sheriff Hartwell; Helen Mack as Mollie Malloy; Porter Hall as Murphy.
What is His Girl Friday rated?
It carries a nr certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for His Girl Friday?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/24021.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.