For our seventh monthly public domain night, Internet Archive will host a screening of His Girl Friday (1940), starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell.

The film can be watched on the Internet Archive Here.
Simone Elias‘ introduction to the film can be watched on the Internet Archive Here.

Join us for this legendary screwball film, centered on two divorced quick-talking reporters in Chicago, which according to the American Film Institute, is one of the top comedies of the 20th century.

His Girl Friday is defined as a 1940s “working girl film”, as it centers on Rosalind Russell, a reporter about to marry and retire. Her character was based on the “legendary girl reporter” Adela Rogers St. Johns.

Her ex-husband, played by Cary Grant, desperately tries to get her to stay, and many hilarious beats follow, involving scenes with a fugitive and a life insurance policy.

Howard Hawks, the film’s director, intentionally displays his aversion to family, home, and domesticity, in his portrayal of Rosalind Russell’s character, a wise-cracking reporter with journalistic career experience.

The movie is a fun, fast-moving, engaging watch–you won’t want to miss it!

Your $5 ticket includes snacks and any seat in our spacious 400-seat great room.

Arrive when doors open: you won’t want to miss the introduction by teen Simone Elias, author of the upcoming book Old Films, New Eyes: A Teenage Take on Golden Age Hollywood.

Doors open at 7:15 pm on Friday, February 28th.