The Front Page
by Charles MacArthur, Ben Hecht

The Front Page Book Cover
The Front Page Cover

Highlights

Interior Set Comedy

Synopsis

An irresistible comedy with thrills and derring do set in the news room.

Hildy wants to break away from journalism and go on a belated honeymoon.

There is a jailbreak and into Hildy's hands falls the escapee as hostage.

He conceals his prize in a rolltop desk and phones his scoop to his managing editor.

Their job is to prevent other reporters and the sheriff from opening the desk and finding their story.

Some hoodlums are enlisted to remove the desk, but they get mixed up with a Boy Scout troop and the mayor and a cleaning woman, among others.

It's a whirlwind wrap up with Hildy finally making his breakaway, but the cynical managing editor has him arrested before he leaves town for having stolen a watch he planted on Hildy.

Press Reviews

"Gorgeously melodramatic. One of the funniest and most exciting of American plays."

— New York Times

"Fast, explosive, funny."

— ABC TV

Videos

Sam Mendes' The Front Page

Publication

Publisher Samuel French
ISBN-13 9780573609121
ISBN-10 0573609128

The Front Page is a comedy play written by Charles MacArthur and published by Samuel French .

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Rating

3.7

207 ratings · 615 reviews

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Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee: Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)

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